Myajima

Ruth on this arched bridge at Miyajima.

We were staying at Higashi Hiroshima after we got things confused. We thought we were staying in Hiroshima City itself. It turned out that we were about 20 minutes on the Shinkansen out of the city. We spent 3 nights here using it as an opportunity to explore the lower part of Honshu. With our Japanese Rail Pass it worked out great.

Getting up close and personal with the wildlife.

Ruth with her own little herd of followers.

One of our best outings in Japan was to Miyajima, this island is known as the jewel of the Sanyo Coast. This is the home of the famous floating Torii (Shinto Gate) which signifies that the whole island is a sacred island. It certainy is a peaceful place once you escape the rush of ferry terminal. The deer here wander freely among the people in the streets and all over the island. The felling of trees is forbidden so there is some interesting forest walks once again the deer seem to pop up in most unusual places and they show little fear of people. Often they walked right up to us to check out what we had to feed them. The bamboo, cedar and maple trees provided an interesting backdrop to walk through.

The rope way rides we went on in Japan

offered stunning scenery.

We took what they a rope way we would call it a Gondala up to the top of Mount Misen the views were breath taking. We could see the mainland and were provided with a splendid vista of the Inland Sea. Our wander back down to the temple and the Floating Torii was interesting. The track being more like a concrete highway than the walking track it was. Not much chance of getting lost here.

After reaching the summit of Mount Misen t

he view was incredible.

Looking out and across The Inland Sea.

As we neared the bottom of our walk we came to a stream which provided some interesting waterfalls and well kept garden settings. There were also a number of traditional style homes with traditional Japanese gardens. The day was hot and the coolness provided by the shade of the trees helped make this a magical place to visit. Once at the bottom we found ourselves outside the Itsukushima shrine. oddly enough and typical of us we were at the exit, and instead of entering we decided walk across the tidal mudflats and past the Torii.

Ruth beside the stream we ended following down

to the Shrine on Miyajima.

Sometimes I just sit.

Other times I sit and just think

Once again I found myself admiring the contrasts in Japan. In the towns there are so many people all busy going about their daily lives. But Rugged mountains covered in dense forest is never too far away. Much of the scenery is stunningly breath taking.

There is so much more at Miyajima than the Shrine.

But the Five Story Pagoda built in 1407

is impressive in this setting.

Back amongst the people and Ruth poses in front of the Floating Torii.

The tide comes in and covers this spot where the picture was taken.

The five arched bridge at Iwakuni, built 1673

We felt we had some time left in our day so we thought we would try to fit in a visit to the Five Arched Bridge at Iwakuni. This meant another train trip to Iwakuni. Followed by a bus trip to the bridge on board a local bus. This posed a logistical problem for us as the bus driver spoke no english and there were no signs in English. Then we had to work out how to pay for the bus. Ruth worked it, hold out a handful of coins, smile and shrug your shoulders the driver then picked out the coins for us. Once we arrived at the bridge we were impressed but we did not pay to walk across it. Originallyt built in 1673 it was built without using any nails. We were a bit rushed because we needed to make sure we got back to the Shinkansen with plenty of time. If we had more time we would have liked to stroll around Kikko park where there are a number of Samurai houses. And we would have taken the rope way to the Iwakuni Castle. Another thing to do next time.