I was getting a little worried that I wouldn't be able to see Miyajima before we left Japan, so when I saw that this tour was coming up, I immediately called my friend, Christine, and we signed up for it. Miyajima is the third most scenic view Japan has to offer and after seeing it I can understand why. Its name means "shrine island." The huge tori is an incredible sight because it appears to be floating in the water.
We had to take a ferry to the island and when we got there we were not only greeted by a huge floating tori and a beautiful shrine area, but also deer that wandered everywhere. I'm not a huge fan of getting close to wildlife (I know they can turn on you in an instant and not to mention the fact they are germy) but I did get close enough to snap some pictures.
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| This one apparently wanted to go inside to get some food... |
I can't tell you how happy I was to finally see this sight (that would explain all the pictures)! I have seen toris before, but none that are floating and none quite this big! We were there when the tide was in, but when it is out, you can walk right up to it.
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| My wonderful friend, Christine, who came with me so I wouldn't have to be alone (since Chris is out). She's the best! |
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| Okay, last picture of me with the tori... sorry!! |
The town of Miyajima was so great... around the tori there was a huge shrine to walk around, a five-story pagoda, tons of cute shops and of course delicious things to eat! I think before we left the island Christine and I sampled the curry, ice cream, and maple leaf cookies!
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| The shrine on the island of Miyajima |
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| Inside the shrine... I love the vibrant colors! |
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| The five-story pagoda, Gojunoto. |
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| The shrine with the pagoda in the background |
Also while we were walking around the shrine, there was a couple there getting married. We were told not to take pictures, but I just couldn't help myself. The bride looked so beautiful in her kimono!
And one final picture of the tori and pagoda as we were leaving the island on the ferry...
Our tour for the weekend also consisted of us touring Hiroshima. We toured the museum and walked around the peace park.
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| A replica of the dome inside the Hiroshima museum |
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The Genbaku Dome. Also, known as the "A-Bomb Dome" which is the symbol for Hiroshima.
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| On grounds of the peace park. Inside this arch holds the A-Bomb Victim Registry. Past the arch is the flame that continues to burn until there are no more nuclear weapons and past the flame is the dome. |
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| Children's Peace Monument |
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| Rooms filled with paper cranes at the peace monument... cranes are the symbol for peace |
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A view of the town of Hiroshima from our hotel
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Of course, my blog entry would not be complete without posting some pictures of food! Hiroshima is famous for their "Okonomiyaki." The word "okonomi" means, "what you want," and "yaki" means, "cooked." It is a savory layered pancake made of noodles, pork, a fried egg and sauce. They are so delicious!
And after we finished (this is a first), we were given toothpicks AND a mirror to see if anything is in your teeth! I think all restaurants should do this... how very clever!
As we were leaving, I noticed this sign...
It's almost oyster season in Japan and so this sign is advertising, get this, oyster ice cream!! I think I'll pass on that one!
I'm so very glad I finally got to see Miyajima... it was well worth the wait! Thank you, Christine, for being such an amazing friend and coming with me (even though we had school and dance practice the next day)! Oh, and this last picture is for Chris. I know how much he loves taking pictures of the maps of places we have visited!
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