May 17 - Miyajima

PLEASE NOTE: I have not had the chance to watermark all of my photos, and it will take me a great deal of time, as I published this and my other blogs between 2010-2017. I ask you to respect my property. Feel free to use them as long as you credit me as follows: Photo by Jody McBrien, learningtheworld.org. Thank you.


In the morning, we crossed the street from our hotel to visit the Hiroshima Art Museum. Its main building is in the shape of a circle, and it has four large rooms, each housing a collection of 19^th to 20^th century European masters. Best-known artists from the time were all represented. The special exhibits building had the 150^th anniversary collection by Beatrix Potter. I think that all of her tiny, detailed sketches and watercolors of the famous characters from The Tales of Peter Rabbit were on display, and it was a very popular exhibit with hundreds of visitors there. We were both amazed at the miniature details.

Outside images advertising the exhibit

 We went back for our bags and took a river cruise to Miyajima, ferried over to the mainland, and waited til 3 to check in (mistake! We should have gone straight back to the island to have more time). This is also a lovely hotel with a Japanese history motif in the lobby.

Miyajima is well-known for its O-Torii gate built into the sea, entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine. When tide is high, both appear to float on the water. We were there at low tide, and by evening, we could literally walk under and beyond the torii gate (photos near the end of this blog entry). First built in the 6^th century, the structures were rebuilt in 1168. Between the ferries and the shrine are roads loaded with dining spots and souvenir shops along with the many tame deer looking for handouts. 

We dallied almost too long and ended up taking the last shuttle bus for the Mijajima Ropeway that takes visitors to near the top of Mt. Misen, 535 metres above sea level. Because we were so late, we did not have time to wander the trails, but still took some good photos as keepsakes before having to catch the gondolas back down the mountain (or miss them and walk about 90 minutes to the bottom!)

When we got back down, the town was another place altogether. All the shops and restaurants had closed, and the large groups of students and other visitors had retreated. There were still a few people enjoying the ability to walk to the tori gate and past it for some wonderful photos during sunset, including ourselves.

When we crossed back to the mainland, there were few places open. We found one and ordered to personal cheese pizzas (not very Japanese, but very good!), then headed back for a good night's sleep, in spite of thin futons.