Miyajima (or Itsukushima)

Miyajima is one of Japan’s three most beautiful spots. Itsukushima Shrine and the surrounding sea and primeval forest were designated as a World Cultural Heritage in 1996.

About ten-minute boat from Miyajimaguchi takes us to the island. A red-painted shrine gate standing in the sea surprises us and makes us feel like coming to another world.
Within Itsukushima Shrine, we have to take one-way route, but we can tour at a leisurely pace. Also you can realize that the shrine is built in the sea. When I visited there, I got up early in the next morning and went to the shrine gate. I could reach the gate on foot. Do not forget to check the time of greater ebb.

There are a lot of deer in Miyajima. People take good care of deer, because deer has been considered a divine messenger. How friendly! You will be surprised to see them here and there. On the top of Misen there are a lot of monkeys. They are not friendly; be careful.
If you visit in autumn, you can further enjoy autumn colors. I recommend a walk around Momijidani Park.

If you are going to stay in Miyajima, you should know that there are no convenience stores there. Most stores are closed around 6 p.m. I had reserved only accommodation. As the owner introduced me a couple of restaurants, I was able to have a dinner. My breakfast was momiji-manju. I bought it at a souvenir shop that was open early in the morning for tourists. Momiji-manju is maple-shaped bun with bean-jam filling and specialty of Miyajima. Another specialty is oyster. You can see the oyster bed from the boat. Try to eat various oyster dishes. I can never forget kaki-no-dotenabe (oyster-in-pan dish dressed with miso sauce) and Suishin (Hiroshima’s sake) that I had at Hiroshima Station.

(Red-painted Shrine Gate)

(Shrine Gate at Greater Ebb)

(Dear Deer Couple)

(Oyster Bed)