Miyajima is a small island just off the coast from Hiroshima in the Hiroshima Bay. There is a ferry that takes passengers back and forth to the mainland and the trip is only ten minutes and there is frequent service.
The actual name of the island is Itsukushima, but it is popularly known as Miyajima or the Shrine Island. The most famous site is the torii at the Itsukushima Shrine. The torii sits out in the bay during high tide and welcomes visitors.
The Itsukushima Shrine welcomes our ferry as it approaches Miyajima
As we approach the cherry blossoms come into view in the distance
The Itsukushima Shrine
The Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The island is mountainous and a great place to hike around. For those that spent an emotional day at the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, the island is a great place to relax and calm the nerves after the horrors of the previous. The island is even more beautiful if you are lucky like me and can time your visit during the cherry blossom season.
Cherry blossoms in front of a temple
Cherry blossoms in front of a temple
Goju-no-to Pagoda from Senjō-kaku Temple
Cherry blossoms begin to fall and create a surreal pink landscape
Goju-no-to Pagoda from Senjō-kaku Temple
Watch out for these deer. They are cute, but they are kind of a menace
Cherry blossoms line the walkway
The bullet train or Shinkansen is the best way to get to Hiroshima and subsequently to Miyajima. The train that is fast as superman links most of Japan’s major cities like Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto.
This is the last post dedicated to Japan for the #Japanlife and #Blog4japan initiative. Thanks to Todd Wassell, Beehive Blog, and Art of Spa for creating these worthwhile initiatives. For those that are inspired to donate, click here for information on the Red Cross and here for some local Japan organizations recommended by Todd Wassell who is an aid and recovery specialist for the UN.
Stay tuned,
TT
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What great photos. Beautiful! Thanks for blogging for Japan.
santafetraveler recently posted..Photo of the week- flowering cactus at California’s Anza Borrego State Park
Beautiful & well written about Miyajima! I especially love the Cherry Blossom in the photos. I just came back from Washington DC and saw the Cherry Blossom festival. I know if it wasn’t for Japan. The city wouldn’t have such a beautiful gifts.
how gorgeous and fragrant those blossoms look! why is the shrine n the water though?
gregory urbano recently posted..Funnel Cakes- Elephant Ears and Lemonade- Pinellas County Fair 2011
The torii in the water is only part of the shrine and is only in the water during high tide. The actual shrine is right on the shore and overlooks the orange part in the water.
Beautiful photos! This Japanese town looks so peaceful.
Leslie recently posted..8 hours in Amsterdam: Biking to art galleries, markets and the Red Light District (photos)
What beautiful photos – seeing the cherry blossom in Japan has long been on the ‘must see’ list. You can’t fail to smile at a sea of pink flowery clouds!
Kerry (Goodtrippers) recently posted..3 of the best farm stays near the Scottish border
I was so lucky. I timed this perfectly and it was just not intended. I was supposed to show up in Japan ten days earlier, but I enjoyed Thailand so much that I wanted more time there. When I arrived in Japan the cherry blossoms bloomed the day I arrived and began to fall the day I left. If I stuck to my original plan, I would have missed it.