A Morning Visit to Miyajima Island

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We arrived in Hiroshima after a long day of train travel, and checked into the Sheraton Hotel. Even though it’s right at the train station, the hotel is first-class. We couldn’t help but break into big smiles at the western-style room complete with fluffy king-sized bed, club lounge, and movies in English.

Takayama to Hiroshima, via Nagoya. We're only 200 miles from South Korea here.
Takayama to Hiroshima, via Nagoya. We’re only 200 miles from Busan, South Korea here.

We’ve been using Tours By Locals and batting .500 – Patrick in Tokyo was VERY good, Takashi in Takayama not so much. Jasmine, our Hiroshima guide, spent a year with her family in Oregon where her husband was a visiting professor. We started our day at Miyajima Island, one of Japan’s most picturesque scenic spots.

At 500 meters above sea level, Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima.
At 500 meters above sea level, Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima.
Miyajima is a small island less than an hour outside the city of Hiroshima. It is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views.
Miyajima is a small island less than an hour outside the city of Hiroshima. It is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views.
While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for "shrine island". This is because the island is so closely related to its key shrine, Itsukushima Shrine, in the public's mind.
While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for “shrine island”. This is because the island is so closely related to its key shrine, Itsukushima Shrine, in the public’s mind.
Like the torii gate, the shrine's main buildings are built over water.
Like the torii gate, the shrine’s main buildings are built over water.
That original Shrine dates back to the 6th century but was destroyed by fire many times. The present shrine dates from the mid-16th century and is believed to follow an earlier design from the 12th century.
That original Shrine dates back to the 6th century but was destroyed by fire many times. The present shrine dates from the mid-16th century and is believed to follow an earlier design from the 12th century.
Local sake makers offer barrels of sake to the Shrine, giving thanks for a successful season of production. Mark wondered if he could take one, but our guide politely suggested NO.
Local sake makers offer barrels of sake to the Shrine, giving thanks for a successful season of production. Mark wondered if he could take one, but our guide politely suggested NO.
A special shrine to the wind and beer gods.
A special shrine to the wind and beer gods.
The sand mandalas were amazing. Sand mandalas are a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand. A sand mandala is ritualistically destroyed once it has been completed and its accompanying ceremonies and viewing are finished to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life. We were happy that they kept two on display.
The sand mandalas were amazing. Sand mandalas are a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand. A sand mandala is ritualistically destroyed once it has been completed and its accompanying ceremonies and viewing are finished to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life. We were happy that they kept two on display.
The second sand mandala. Quite elegant and jewel-like.
The second sand mandala. Quite elegant and jewel-like.
In this dimly lit room are 88 Buddhist icons representing each of the 88 temples on a prestigious Shikoku pilgrimage route. Worshipping visitors to this room believe that they are given the same blessings as people who make the pilgrimage to all of the temples on the Shikoku route. A wonderful example of Japanese efficiency.
In this dimly lit room are 88 Buddhist icons representing each of the 88 temples on a prestigious Shikoku pilgrimage route. Worshipping visitors to this room believe that they are given the same blessings as people who make the pilgrimage to all of the temples on the Shikoku route. A wonderful example of Japanese efficiency.
This Five-Storied Pagoda built in 1407 is brilliant vermillion-colored and the atmosphere is really gorgeous. It was built with Zen Buddhism construction techniques introduced from China. There is only a first floor in the pagoda as is the case with many pagodas. They are built to be admired from the outside, not the inside.
This Five-Storied Pagoda built in 1407 is brilliant vermillion-colored and the atmosphere is really gorgeous. It was built with Zen Buddhism construction techniques introduced from China. There is only a first floor in the pagoda as is the case with many pagodas. They are built to be admired from the outside, not the inside.
What a great setting for a wedding!
What a great setting for a wedding photo shoot!
The Daisho-in is one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism. It is located at the base of Mount Misen, on which the sect's founder, Kobo Daishi, first began the practice of Buddhism on the island of Miyajima. The grounds are exquisite.
The Daisho-in is one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism. It is located at the base of Mount Misen, on which the sect’s founder, Kobo Daishi, first began the practice of Buddhism on the island of Miyajima. The grounds are exquisite.

Our only regret was not having time to climb the sacred Mt. Misen. The mountain was opened as an ascetic holy mountain site by Kobo Daishi in the autumn of 806, when he underwent ascetic practice (abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing spiritual goals) for one hundred days on the mountain. The fire lit by him is said to have been burning for 1200 years and was used to light the Flame of Peace in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Up next.

On clear days, Mt. Misen affords spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and as far as Hiroshima City. There are also a number of Buddhist structures near the peak. A gondola leads up the mountain from town, but it is also possible to climb up on foot on one of three hiking trails.
The view we missed. On clear days, Mt. Misen affords spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and as far as Hiroshima City. There are also a number of Buddhist structures near the peak. A gondola leads up the mountain from town, but it is also possible to climb up on foot on one of three hiking trails.

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