This is the third tour to Japan by some members of the Combined Class of '69.

Thirty-nine alum of RHS'69, Kalani'69 and McKinley'69 are taking in Northern Japan this time.

RHS'69 Reunion Committee chair Vincent Yim is your tour reporter...

November 1 -  Day 8

Kinugawa - Niiko - Yokohama

The group heads from Kinugawa to Nikko, a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park. It's most famous for Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

From there it's off to Yokohama for a new hotel along the many stops to come.

Once we got our fill we visited the famous Toshogu Shrine. If you are anywhere near Nikko, make it a point to visit this shrine. It is not like any other shrine you have visited. It is to honor Tokugawa Leyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The first thing that will catch your eyes are the majestic red wood trees. Some 750 years old surrounding the shrine. Then the huge stone walls, carved to fit with no gaps all large than an automobile. The walls create a plateau for all to ascend up to the buildings.

Once up you see layers of buildings each more lavishly built than the one you just passed. Finally you reach the main building on top, it is not the top! Now you have to decide to climb the 1000 stone steps to the mausoleum of Tokugawa Leyasu.

Again, this shrine is not like any other you have seen...a must see.

We are at a rest stop. We need it.