osaka-hiroshima-miyajima

From Osaka, it is about an hour and a half to Hiroshima by Shinkansen.

When we arrived it was raining, and actually the day was forecast for rain too.

We visited with a friend, Mihoko at her workplace then went in search of my Grandma's half-sister's grave.

It had been over 10 years since we had visited the grave and were not too sure where it was.

Luckily the woman at the temple was able to help us (Thank you!)

We went a couple of stops back and went to pay our respects at the Hiroshima Peace Park.

It was actually our first time there.

Somber and thought-provoking area...we were too scared to check out the museum though.

We then went by light rail to the Miyajima station which took about 50 minutes, then hopped on a ferry which took us to Miyajima Island (about 10 minutes).

The rain had stopped but the air was super icy.

We stopped into the first place we saw for lunch...Umeyama.

Satoshi and I shared an anago (salt water eel) donburi.

The anago was kind of "fluffy" in texture.

We also shared these fried oysters.

Both were kind of pricey and (to me, because they are not my favorite foods) just so-so.

Did you know that Hatsukaichi, the city where Miyajima is located, is also the birthplace of the kendama?! I didn't.

We had planned to check out Mount Misen, but the ropeway is out of commission until March...so we spent a lot of time just walking around the shopping arcade and surrounding areas....oohing and aahing at the torii.

We visited UNESCO site, Itsukushima Shrine.

Peaceful and beautiful to see (when there aren't a whole group of intermediate schoolers there at the same time...)

This is apparently the size of the base of the huge torii...massive!

When the tide recedes there are two pools called kagami-no-ike (literally mirror pond).

The reflection of the moon in these ponds are often quoted in tanka (31-syllable poetry) & haiku (5-7-5 syllable poetry).

We also climbed up many stairs to check out the 5-story pagoda.

Just before heading back for dinner, the tide was on its way out, so we went down to check out the torii.

I was surprised at how solid the ground was, I thought it would be squishy and that I would probably take a spill somewhere, but I didn't...

So cool (and huge) up close!

Dinner was a hodge podge of different dishes. Stuffed, we walked out to the torii to see it lit up.

My legs were tired from making many round trips to see the torii, but I was glad the rain had stopped and we were able to see the torii up close.

Umeyama
844 Miyajima-cho
Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima
Phone: 0829.44.0313

Hotel Miya-Rikyu
849 Miyajima-cho
Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima
Phone: 0829.44.2111