Itsukushima December 8 2006

(known as Miyajima Island)

View from the Shinkansen between Nagoya and Hiroshima. Many hills were a mix of colours. Very pretty

For a map of japan see http://ease.com/~randyj/japanmap.htm

Arrival in Hiroshima

Harumi met us at Hiroshima-eki and after a quick coffee whisked us away to the nearby island of miyajima. So a bit of train and a ferry and there we were.

Miyajima Island

he view of the red Torii at miyajima was listed as one of the three best views of Japan in 1643 and still quoted as such in todays guide books.It is hard to argue the point as it is a very pretty and distinctly Japanese view.

"Retaining the purity of the shrine is so important that until 1878, no deaths or births were permitted at the shrine. To this day, burials on the island are still forbidden." - Wikipedia

Miyajima is known for the famous Shinto shrine and the gate (Torii) in the water. The shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Torii is one of the mos recognizable symbols of japan much like the Sydney Opera House. The present gate was built in the 1800's and the first was in the 1100's.

The island is inhabited by deer and there are many signs telling you to be careful as the deer eat everything. Pam had a tough struggle with a deer to get back a an entrance ticket of another tourist who was trying to help us.

A cute little thief

The deer just sat around all over town

Wandering down the foreshore

A tanuki

Another tanuki

Shopping was fun. Lots of things to taste and to buy.

Outside a sake shop

Pam couldn't resist.

a shop

another shop

local specialties in the shape of maple leaves are filled with bean paste. Maple leaves are associated with Miyajima.

Toward the shrine

Close to the torii. The torii is built on a tidal plain and the base is surrounded by mud at low tide. But at high tide, the torii is perfect.

The shrine, and Noh stage are built over the water and provide a beautiful view.

Pagoda

Pam and Harumi at Itsukushima Shrine

Pam and me at Itsukushima Shrine

Decorative barrels at the shrine

You can get fortune papers at the shrine, you can keep those that are good luck, but if the fortune is not for you then you can tie it to the shrine so it stays there and does not go with you.

Autumn maple leaves on the ground as we walked into the forest behind the shrine

Good fortune for us from the fortune vending machine.

The ropeway cable car takes you up the mountain and provides a spectacular view

The weather and view over the inland sea were spectacular, I am actually glad it was miserable and threatening to rain. The colours in the sky and on the peaceful islands below us are one of the memories I will always have.

Shooting from the lookout

Harumi and Pam. What can I say.

A more serious photo than the of those monkeys above.

That night we went back to Hiroshima and Harumi's parents picked us up and took us back to their place for dinner and offered us a bed for the night.

The next day we explored Hiroshima city - Photos are here