Miyajima [宮島]

We took the longer version of a boat ride to Miyajima from the Hiroshima A-bomb dome, which cost about 1920yen each just for a 1way ticket (about a 50min ride). It was nice to take the scenic route in, we took the shorter ferry ride on the way home, which cost a measly 170yen for a 10min ride and then took the local train to Hiroshima station. Miyajima is most famous for it's large red tori which sits in the sea, and deer. The deer have a bad habit of eating anything papery, and will happily rummage through peoples bags in search of maps - and then proceed to devour them.

Approaching Miyajima...

We were met at the ferry terminal by a driver from our hotel (Arimoto [有もと]) and driven to the hotel. It turned out the hotel that we chose was very central, just behind the famous temple of Miyajima. The first port of call would be to ascend Misen [みせん] the highest peak in Miyajima. Taking the free shuttle bus up to the ropeway station, we then took two different cable cars up as high as they would take us. Getting off at the last station there was a warning about monkeys being about.

...and sure enough as soon as we get out of the ropeway station, we see lots of monkeys....and another deer.

Deer being cleaned by a helpful monkey and the viewpoint at the last ropeway station.

My reststop and a deer reading a sign.

After much suffering in the heat I had climbed as high as I could...and stopped at one of the temples along the way to the peak to rest in the shade, whilst Greg went to survey the top. We walked all the way down, much easier and cooler than hiking upwards. The whole area was carefully conserved, with anti-erosion measures installed along the water way. Unfortunately, the route that we had wanted to take down the hill was closed due to one of the temples being under repair from typhoon damage.

Anti-erosion measures and Momiji Park


A lap dog, trying it's hardest to look as though it's perfectly normal for him to be wearing a yukata...

The famous tori and temple

Tori at night

A huge rice scoop - Miyajima is apparently famed for being the birthplace of the humble rice scoop, so they made a massive one and put it on their high street. The photo on the right is of one of the many lamp shades that decorated the town.

On the main high street there was a cute little shop which was based on the sayings of a monk, Jo Taiga [城　たいが] who decorated his sayings with very nice annotated kanji. We bought his 'Introduction to Happiness' which includes things like: "Rather than grieve and feel sad all day. Smile brightly and have a happy day". The artwork and sentiment of the shop was really nicely done.

After our little souvenir shopping trip I sat for a little rest, and was trying to take a photo of a deer hiding behind a big stone tori, when it suddenly sprung into action. It had been lying in wait for humans carrying tasty food. The deer was very persistent and harangued the man until he finally gave in and gave the deer some of the fish-cake on a stick he had been trying to eat.