Miyajima Island and Night in Hiroshima

Off to Miyajima Island

We have the breakfast buffet at the hotel and then head out to catch the high speed ferry to Miyajima Island. It is a 45 minute ride starting from the ferry terminal at the Peace Park.
It is going to be another hot and sunny day.

Miyajima Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Floating Torii Gate

Upon exiting the ferry, we head straight to the Floating Torii Gate. There has been a Torii Gate here since 1168 AD. It is the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine. When the tide is high, it looks like it is floating. Right now the tide is at the half way point. It is still very pretty.

Deer

As in Nara, there are deer all over the place looking for food. They are not shy in the least and will snatch what they can get if given the chance. But still, they are cute.

I see what I think are the maple leaf cookies that are special to the island but they turn out to be a maple leaf shaped ice cream cone with green tea ice cream (my favourite flavour) inside. .

The deer take one look at me and know that there is no chance of me sharing my treat.

Itsukushima Shrine

This Shinto shrine (built in 1168 AD but there has been a shrine here since the 6th century) is unique because of its pier like structure which made it easy for boats to dock without worshipers having to step on the island. The island had holy status, and commoners were not allowed on it.

The shrine buildings are connected by wooden boardwalks. At high tide the shrine is surrounded by water.

Miyajima Ropeway and Mount Misen

We make the wise decision to take what the Japanese call a ropeway (cable car) instead of doing the strenuous 2-3 hour hike up the steep mountain.

The ropeway has two sections and it takes about 25 minutes to get to the top station. It is still a 30 minute hike from the ropeway station to the summit observatory.

After climbing up to the look out at the top station (which had great views), we take the track heading to the summit of Mount Misen. I am confused because it goes down steps and a decline before going up and up and up. With the appearance of each new section of stairs the more colourful my language gets.

We reach Reikado and Dainichado Halls. Besides these shrines are some cool Jizu statues.

There is a lovers sanctuary here called Kiezu no Hi. Built in 806 AD. This is considered a power spot for lovers…John throws 100 yen coin (.90 cents CAD) in as an offering… Really??!!??!?

(PS. John says he has yet to get any return on his 100 yen)

It is another 10 minute walk up to the summit. I decide to hang at the temples and let John do this walk and take pictures along the way. Here are some of John’s pictures.

The walk passes some other small shrines before reaching the top with 360 degree views of the inland sea and mainland.

I check out a nearby ogre shrine and ring the bell. Then go sit for a much needed rest. I meet a lovely lady from Alaska, living in Hawaii and we chat until John returns.

The walk down is much more pleasant until we get to the part where we have to walk up again.

We head back down to the bottom on the cable car.

Omotesando Shopping Street and Local Treats

At the bottom we join a line-up to buy a local specialty, grilled oysters. These big boys are huge and tasty. Yum.

The tide is out and people are now standing at the base of the floating Torii Gate

We walk towards the ferry by way of Omotesando Shopping Street where we try a few more local specialties including Momiji Manju cookies (a cake like treat shaped like maple with different flavoured fillings inside. I also get eel sausage on a strick.

Deer try to blend in with the crowds in hopes of snagging food.

The ferry back to Hiroshima passes quickly.

Hiroshima Castle

From the ferry dock we head to Hiroshima Castle. I am happy that it is about to close so no need to climb up five floors of steps to the top of the castle.

The castle was destroyed by the Atom Bomb but rebuilt after the war.

The military headquarters on the grounds were also levelled by the bomb; only the foundations remain.

We check out another tree near the castle moat. It’s a camphor tree that miraculously survived the bomb.

At 5:00 pm we hear a loud chime from the Castle. We learn that throughout Japan they test their emergency broadcast speakers everyday, often at 5pm. They play a children’s musical folksong which also acts as a reminder to children that it’s time to get home for dinner. Click here for a short video.

Robot at Supper

I want to see the castle lit up at night so we decide to have supper nearby. There are only two restaurants that we find nearby… McDonald’s and Coco’s. Needless to say we choose Coco’s.

Coco’s is a restaurant that feels like Swiss Chalet; a family type restaurant with kids colouring books and toys for sale at the front. They offer Mexican, North American, Italian and Japanese Food. When you enter, you input onto a screen how many people are dining and the machine spits out your table number which you then proceed to. At your table you have a menu with pictures, numbers and descriptions. You order by number on an iPad which also gives suggestions for add-ons. For smaller items, a musical robot delivers them to the table. Click here for a short video.

Check out the kid in the video’s expression when the robot comes. I feel that my face had the same expression when I first saw the robot.

The food was ok but the technology and robots made it fun.

Hiroshima by Night

I love walking around foreign cities at night. It has a certain kind of magic and mystery.

The llilluminated castle was beautiful and I am so glad we stayed around to see it.

We next walked back to the Atomic Bomb Dome. It was also lit up. It has a strange beauty born from horror.

There was a small pro-Palestinian protest going on in front of the dome calling for peace & justice. Many candles were lit.

The monuments in the Peace Park were also lit.

We next went to the Children’s Monument where I noticed there was a crane hanging off the bell.

The Flame of Peace was so much more vibrant at night.

There was still a line up at the Cenotaph. The chest under the arch holds 140,000 names of victims.

The fact that you could see the flame and the A Bomb Dome lined up directly behind the Cenotaph is so much more dramatic by night. It is all so very moving.

John and I line up to pay our respects.

As we leave the park, we see a statue of a mother protecting her child that we hadn’t noticed yesterday.

We walk 15 minutes back to our hotel. We did over 25,000 steps today which is about average for most days on this trip.