Miyajima
O-Torii
\Our journey for the day starts in Kyoto as we await the Shinkansen train to Hiroshima. We did not research the trip very well so we really didn't know how to get to Miyajima (or even it's name). We had booked a hotel room a few days earlier, but had no real idea where it was either.
Although food and beverages are available on the train, we found that shops like this at the train terminal provide a good selection of quality meals ready to go. The cost is about $5 USD or less.
One of the Shinkansen trains in the terminal.
Signs are conveniently in Japanese ........
or English
Even though it was raining hard, the ferry made a detour to show O-Torii, the trademark symbol of Miyajima Island
We got directions to our hotel, Kawaguchi, at the information booth at the port terminal. It was a ten minute easy walk. This little Japanese hotel has seven rooms. We loved the facility and the proprietor, Yo-Yo.
She showed us to our room and told us where to go and where to eat. Strangely (to us) she told us that the tide was low now (at 1430) and that it would be high at around 2040. We did not know why that would be of any importance to us.
Our room which included a fridge, phone, heater unit to make tea and hot water - and little chair backs (no legs). The room also had a western style toilet. The room even had balcony that opened onto a few trees.
Downstairs was a marvelous shower and hot tub. We used it several times.
This 5-story pagado was right outside our door.
The
wild deer are abundant and fairly aggressive about begging for food.
The O-Torii was completed in 1875. This one was the eighth version to be constructed on the site. It is very large and stands anchored only with its own weight.
The Itsukushima shrine was built in 593 but was remodeled to its present form in 1168 (850 years ago).
Food with prices in the
restaurants.
1000 is about $10 USD
This is Yo-Yo. She was delightful. If you ever visit Miyajima, we highly recommend this hotel.
This is the gate to the JR Ferry. Another ferry line also serves the island. Thus, a ferry leaves 3-4 times an hour during the day for about $1.70 USD each way (free on the JR Rail Pass)
Looks quite different at high tide.
This is the train station about a ten minute walk from the port terminal. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Hiroshima from here.
Please use the Japan Guest Book. (Your name or email address will not be posted on the website.)