Istukushima Shrine

After we were in Hiroshima, we took the local train and then the ferry to Miyajima to visit the Istukushima Shrine, in particular, the Grand Tori.  It was very easy to get too.

We knew this was on the list when we saw the pictures.  it is just gorgeous...unfortunately, the whole day we were there, it was just pouring!

Waiting for the ferry to Miyajima
While on Miyajima, we were staying at ryokan, a traditional Japanese guest house.  This guest house was a larger one, but still had the traditional room and dinner experience. 

Once we dropped off our luggage, we quickly walked down to the Grand Torii.  This is another UNESCO heritage site.  The trees around the island are quite beautiful and never cut leaving the island feeling like a wilderness preserve.  This was also our first encounter with deer on our trip.  It was rather startling!  These encounters did prepare for us Nara where the deer are even more eager to make friends!



The Grand Tori was beautiful.  We ended up viewing it at a few different times.  When we were there together, it was low tide in the rain in the middle of the afternoon.  

 

Jason then went back at night when the rain had stopped. 


I wrapped up the trip with a sunrise trip by myself as well.


We spent a few hours walking through the shrine as well.  This shrine was particular breathtaking due to its position on the water with the tide underneath.  It sits with its back to the mountain side.  In low tide, the shrine does not have water underneath.   I wish there had been a better way to capture the entire scene in a single photograph.

High tide at sunrise

Picture taken at low tide.  In high tide, the ground is covered in water
 
Donations and gifts to improve chances of happiness and prosperity
I highly recommend coming out to Miyajima from Hiroshima.  If pushed for time, it could easily be done in a little over a half day, just visiting this shrine and getting pictures with the Grand Torii.  

Time spent: 1.5 hrs
Times visited: 1
Overall: A-

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Cincinnati Art Museum

Morgan Library

lower east side tenement museum