Miyajima...at last

So having been here for about 17 months, I finally got around to visiting Miyajima. Miyajima is famous for the Floating Gate and the Itsukushima Shrine, but the reason I wanted to visit was to witness it in all it's Autumnal glory.

However when myself and Shiori began to approach the island by ferry, I was slightly disappointed to see the mountains covered in the a sea of healthy green trees. However this was soon dispersed as the awe inspiring wonder that has made Miyajima such a sacred place began to overwhelm me.

Tame deer roam freely on the streets, and the shops that sell Momiji Manju (Japanese cake stuffed with chocolate, custard or bean paste) and other nick-nacks have a strange air of otherworldliness and British seaside charm.

Time seemed to stop during my visit to Miyajima. I know that may sound odd, but thats how it felt. The only other time I felt this way was in Nanzen Ji in Kyoto, last year.

At the port, prior to the ferry crossing a crowd of people were taking pictures. As we approached, Shiori got out her camera and got taken aware on the wave excitement. Confused, I followed like a lost puppy, only to see three huge men. Sumo wrestlers. Shiori then told me that one of them, Asashouryu had been Yokuzuna (champion) for the last three years. No wonder everyone was scrambling for a photo! Here was a major Japanese celebrity to rivial David Beckham.

Again we saw at Miyajima, where he told the crowds he was off to visit the Dalai Lama, who was also on Miyajima! Sadly I didn't get to see the him, but what a day to visit Miyajima!

The following is taken from www.wikipedia.com

Itsukushima (厳島, Itsukushima?) is an island in the Inland Sea of Japan. It is popularly known as Miyajima. Itsukushima is part of the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture. The island was the town of Miyajima prior to the 2005 merger with Hatsukaichi.

Itsukushima is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to records, the shrine was established in the time of Empress Suiko. The warrior-courtier Taira no Kiyomori gave the shrine its present form. In 1555, Mori Motonari defeated Sue Harukata at the Battle of Miyajima. Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a large building, the Senjō-kaku, on a hill above the shrine.

Itsukushima is mountainous and sparsely settled. It does have an elementary school and a middle school. There are no traffic signals.

Frequent ferry services, operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and by Miyajima Matsudai Tourist Ship, carry traffic between the island and the mainland. The trip takes about ten minutes. There is an hourly express passenger ferry to Hiroshima harbour.

Miyajima's maple trees are renowned throughout Japan, and blanket the island in crimson in the autumn. Momiji manju, pastries filled with azuki jam or custard, are popular souvenirs, and carry maple-leaf emblems. Because the island is sacred, trees may not be cut for lumber. Deer and monkeys roam freely.

A style of wooden spoon used to serve cooked rice, without imapring the taste, is said to have been invented by a monk who lived on the island. This style of spoon is a popular souvenir and there are some outsized examples around the shopping district.

The peak of Mount Misen, at 530 m, is the highest point on the island. A ropeway carries visitors to the top. There are several sites related to the historical Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi near the top.