Hiroshima Part 3 - Itsukushima Shrine

As you travel to Miyajima by ferry, the first thing you see is the famous Torii gate. This is considered to be one of the three best views of Japan. The gate sits over the water and looks spectacular and hints of the beauty yet to come. Directly behind the Torii gate is Itsukushima Shrine. It also sits over the water and looks like it is floating at high tide.

The famous Torii gate and Itsukushima behind

Itsukushima consists of a Noh theatre stage, a main hall and a prayer hall. All of these are joined together by corridors all built over the water.

Typical of the Japanese, Itsukushima is simple in its design. Painted red it stands out and highlights the beauty of its surroundings.

Itsukushima is a stunning shrine. Its positioning over the water makes it unique and because of this it should be on everyone's 'to do' list. The solitary red Torii gate is perfectly complimented by the subtley complex Itsukushima. When you stand on the furthest point of Itsukushima and look out through the Torii gate to the Seto Inland Sea, you have a sense of ages past and of a calm which is reflected throughout Miyajima.

The next time I visit Japan I will be coming to Miyajima and staying a few nights at one of the Ryokan. This is because I want to wander around the island at dusk/night after all the day tourists have gone when Itsukushima will be lit up and look even more spectacular.

The view through the Torii gate from Itsukushima

I enjoyed Itsukushima, but like with everything else in Japan, I want more time to appreciate it. I will be going back!

G

Hiroshima Part 2 - Climbing Mt Misen

One of the main attractions on Miyajima is climbing Mt Misen. The start of the climb is located a short distance behind Itsukushima Shrine. You can take a rope way up the mountain or walk.

We arrived a little late in the day so we decided to save time and go via the rope way. The views from each gondola ride along the rope way are spectacular. At the end of the rope way is Shishi-wa station which has an observatory and monkeys!!! This was my first encounter with Japan's wild monkeys. There are signs telling you not to look the monkey's directly in the eye as they will think this is a challenge. I took a few photos of them and then we watched them run around and huddle together for warmth. I think they are pretty cute!

Must....stay....warm!

We enjoyed the view and pressed on towards the summit.

The view from Shishi-wa observatory area.

The trail to the summit can be quite steep in places but is rewarding as you get to stop at a few places along the way. One of these places is Reikado. This temple protects a flame which was originally lit around 1,200 years ago and was used to light the Hiroshima Peace Park eternal flame.

The flame lies within this building

The path to the summit is winding in places and feels positively ancient with small statues here and there and parts where boulders have partially blocked the path. It was a lot of fun exploring the mountain.

Giant boulders and temples along the path.

An ancient path....

The day we selected to climb Mt Misen was a cold, overcast day with fog rolling in and out as we snaked our way to the top and sheets of rain falling over the Seto inland sea in the distance. In this atmosphere we reached the summit to find the area almost to ourselves except for the roaming sacred deer.

Legend tells us that a God sits atop some of the boulders each and every night to watch over the sacred Miyajima.

You can almost feel the God sitting there as you pass by in the almost complete silence at 500 meters above the sea.

These are the boulders where the God sits and protects Miyajima.

The view from the observatory was quite breathtaking on this day.

The climb up Mt Misen is one of those things you have to do at least once in your lifetime. Unfortunately it is not for everyone as it can get steep in parts. We were lucky that the day we visited lent itself to the sacred nature of the island. We were there in early January so it was cold but the trek to the summit warms you up.

Add Mt Misen to your list of 'must see' in Japan - it is more than worth it.

G

500 Cranes - Half Way There!

Well, I am half way through my paper crane journey.

500 cranes made - 500 more to go!


Here is what 500 cranes looks like.

I can't wait until I am finished!

G

One year on.....

Today my thoughts are with Japan and the Japanese who lost loved ones or ther homes from the devastating Tsunami and earthquake one year ago today.

Japan will rise again.

G

[Photo of the Day] Sake Barrels at Meiji Jingu

This is one of the first things I saw on my first trip to Japan. We started our Japanese trip with a visit to Meiji Jingu and this is just past the main entrance.

G

Hiroshima Part 1 - Senjokaku (Pavillion of 1,000 Mats)

Senjokaku Hall is located on Miyajima which is a 20 minute ferry ride from Hiroshima. The hall is commonly known as the Pavilion of 1,000 mats which refers to its size. The Japanese used to (and sometimes still do) measure the size of rooms by how many tatami mats it could accommodate. Thus this large hall can house 1,000 tatami mats.
This particular hall was commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587 for the purpose of honouring fallen soldiers.

Upon first entering the hall you notice it is completely open. There are no walls and only a roof. While the wooden beams and floors are beautiful in their own way, the hall seems particularly sparse.....until you look up.

Completely occupying the ceiling are endless paintings of various themes and scenes. Unfortunately I only had a very short time to visit Senjokaku, but I tried to see as much of the paintings as possible. I am not sure of who some of the artists are or their historical significance, however I do recognise some of the paintings as some of the most famous battle scenes and hero Samurai in Japanese history. I wonder if these are some of the originals.

I have always loved the way the Japanese depict horses so I just fell in love with this painting.

My favourite horse painting

I love this one in particular as it is so simple. Just black ink forming a fabulous simple effect which I think shows a confident artist.

The next photo is a little hard to see, but I am sure it is from one of the famous battles of Japan where there are two famous horses and Samurai/leaders representing each side of the battle.
Below is the white horse with the Samurai swimming next to it.



I think this is the opposing black horse and Samurai.

I am not entirely sure what this is but it looked great hanging from the ceiling.

I really enjoyed looking at all the beautiful paintings suspended from the ceiling of this great hall. I plan to go back and spend a lot more time photographing and admiring the paintings. If you are on Miyajima you must stop by Senjokaku and have a look.

G