Japan Ep.8 – Miyajima – Wedding on the Island [👘🎎🇯🇵㊗️💝]

Miyajima

The last episode was dedicated to the amazing Kiyomizu-dera and Ginkaku-ji temples in Kyoto.

Today we’re taking another day trip, this time, to Miyajima. But wait! Google Maps sends us constantly to some other place! No worries, the mystery will be revealed at the end of the episode.

So let’s start our 350 km / 220 miles day trip from Osaka to Hiroshima.

From Hiroshima we take a local JR train and the JR ferry into the beautiful Seto sea.

The magnificent torii gate is already surrounded by tourists. The tide is low and people are able to walk around. And we are going there!

Since 2009 Miyajima and Mount St. Michelle in France have become twin cities, both being two sacred islands.

You need to pay attention: dear eat everything in reach, including the paper bag.

You can pause here and read about Taira no Kiyomori, a great supporter of the Itsukushima Shrine. The Shrine dates from 593 ad but it was remodelled by Kiyomori in its present form in 1168.

Let’s stroll along the beach and through the town toward the central attraction, the Itsukushima Torii Gate.

You can stop for ice cream or sweats at the Laughing Buddha shop.

And ….beware of tsunami 😎

We are visiting right now the number one objective, The Grand Torii Gate.

I was always fascinated to walk on the sea bed at low tide, to set foot in the underwater realm.

This wooden gate dates from 1875, so it is only a few years shy of 150 years old 🤔. It is built of decay-resistant camphor wood, being a good home for barnacles and other marine creatures that have to wait for sunset to return home.

The unfortunate crustaceans that have not left at sunrise will end-up being harvested for the local restaurants.

Let’s now visit the Shrine.

The Itsukushima shrine is dedicated to the three female deities who are the goddesses of seas and storms.

The island itself has been considered sacred, no deaths or births being permitted near the island; pregnant women are supposed to retreat to the mainland as the day of delivery approaches, as are the terminally ill or the very elderly whose passing has become imminent.

The sacred Mount Misen rise 500m above sea level, offering spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea. On a clear day you can see as far as Hiroshima.

The warm light and long shadows at the end of the day gives that feeling of a beautiful and enriching experience.

But the day is not yet over! The tide is high and we go back to see the Great Torii Gate floating majestically over the water.