The most major place for people in Hiroshima to go One day trip is, of course, Miyajima. Miyajima is not just the pride of people in Hiroshima, for most of Japanese, it is the most beautifule shrine, and one of the most important histrical monument for all.
Miyajima(宮島) means "Court Island", and the place of Itsukushima shrine(厳島神社). So, the official name of shrine is "Itsukushima shrine", but people usually call the place "Miyajima" with respect and affection.
To go this red-colored shrine, you have to use the station "Miyajima guchi", from where you can get on the ferry to go Miyajima. "guchi" stands for "the entrance".
Both Miyajima guchi JR station and Miyajima guchi tram Hiroden station can be reached from central Hiroshima 30-40min. From Hiroshima Station (広島駅), JR line "Sanyo honsen" is the fastest way, and from central city, Tram "Hiroden" (路面電車 "広電") is the easiest way to get there.
Tram Hiroden will take time more than JR line, but you can enjoy the landscape from a tram window.
You can get the route map from Hiroden web site.
http://www.hiroden.co.jp/en/
JR Miyajima-guchi station and tram Miyajima-guchi station. Approx every 10-15min, you can find the tram bound for Miyajima-guchi at the tram station in city central Hiroshima. You can buy set ticket for both round trip railway and ferry at major station or hotels in the city. One of the surprise for Miyajima one day trip is its low cost. Both JR and Hiroden railway and ferry can be got on with less than 1000 JPY.
Ferry terminal can be reached out 5min from Miyajima-guchi station, but you should first enjoy Miyajima-guchi a little more. One of the local specialty in Miyajima is "Anago meshi", conger at rice bowl. Smell of smoky conger and sweet soy sauce will carry you away. You can find the most famouse restaurant for "Anago meshi", "Ueno", just in front of Miyajima-guchi station.
You should keep the sweets "Momiji manju", another famouse local specialty, for walk in Miyajima.
Yellow fascia is the simbol of "Ueno".You can eat in the restaurant or take out the lunch box, "Obento". You can find many souvenir shops in Miyajima-guchi, as wall as Miyajima itself. If you want to buy the box of Momiji-manju, good to buy here on your way to hotel.
Ferry terminal can be found easily at the back of outstanding statue, "Sho-cho- buraku Ranryu-ou zou" (picture in left). It is the scene of Gagaku, Japanese traditional music and dance, Ranryu-ou, king, dances.
Representing by this statue, Miyajima is the stage of myth, as well as several histrical events. This is not just because Miyajima is the important spot for maritime traffic, but also because people had affection to and feel holiness from this small and beautiful island very much. Dancing is the most popular way of showing respect and thankfulness to the Gods living in the nature of Miyajima and Dancing stage, "Noh butai", in Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine is the national important heritage.
It should be interesting to feel those history and affections of old-time people in Hiroshima/ Miyajima.
Ferry operates in every 10-15min. Left side is Hiroden ferry terminal and right side is JR ferry terminal. No difference for the price and comfortability.
After 3min ferry sail out, you can see many rafts for cultivation of oysters floating in Seto Inland Sea, "Seto nai kai". This is nostalgic and relaxing scene for people who was born around Seto Inland Sea. Sound of calm wave in Seto Island sea is bringing you to the holy island in a gentle pace.
Famous shirne gate, "Torii", in the sea is coming bigger sight. You should sigh for its incomparable beautifulness.
With 15min sea trip, now, you are getting Miyajima. We will go inside of the island in next article.
Shrine gate in Seto Inland Sea. This incomparabe beautifulness is said to be coming from the holic nature on the back of red-colored gate, as well as its outstanding idea.
Landscape of Seto Inland sea, "Seto Nai Kai". People who visit first should be suprised the scene of this calm sea.
>> GO TO Hiroshima Day Trip: Miyajima (宮島) -2
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Les- I'm pretty slow going uplhil but I'd say it was about 30-40 minutes from the ropeway station to the lookout. There are paths all the way down the mountain but I don't know how long it would take to hike them. The altitude, according to wiki, is 535 metres (1,755 feet). As for the weather, it started out a bit cloudy and spitting at times but cleared up quite a bit while we were there and wasn't terribly cold during the day. The breeze at the top was a bit chilly but overall it was quite comfortable for hiking. It was a great view and in fact, Miyajima including Mount Misen and the shrine (which I haven't posted pictures of yet but will) is considered one of the 3 most scenic views in Japan!
Posted by: TiNi | 2012.05.29 at 20:45