Miyajima Island by Ferry

While officially called Itsukushima, it's more commonly referred to as Miyajima (宮島) - "Shrine Island" - a small island less than an hour by ferry outside the city of Hiroshima, most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water.  The gate's sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views.  There are also fantastic hikes to peaks in the interior.

​We board the ferry.

Arriving on the island we see lots of deer hanging around town, looking for tourist handouts.

Now heading out to see some shrines.

There it is, one of the three most desirable views in Japan, like the Mona Lisa, it seems so small (hee hee).

No, even at low tide, it is an inspiring sight to behold.

More shrines to be viewed - these are originals and not rebuilt after some fire or what not calamity.

Now it's time for some physical fitness activity to work off some of that rich Japanese cuisine.

We're hiking up the right-most shown trail, eventually thinking we might want to go down the yellow path, which is an aerial tram or ropeway, if we can, to save our knees on the downward part.

Approaching the trail's start, nice, warnings about treacherous snakes, oh boy, Gerri's not interested in anymore of those helicopter rides to the hospital, so we must step carefully (we didn't see any such beasts today).

A mini-shrine tucked away along the trail.

This way, no that way, but definitely not up, that way.  The trail does go by the top of this, but done the longer way around, although one of those maniac skilled climbers could cut off some distance here.

Wind formed hairdo's, and windy trees.

We made it to the first summit - hoorah!

Seeing the goal of our next summit "attempt" - okay, it's very doable, but a bit tiring.

More shrines along the way.

Now on the next summit.

Bit by bit, the materials for this observation deck at the top were brought up by helicopter.

Oy, my knees, if we can't make that tramway ropeway thingie work out, they're doomed.

Yes, after wondering if it would still be going at the end of the day, or if we could scrounge up enough change to buy the one way ticket down for both of us, success!

Even more sights to behold at the bottom.

His and her bridges, okay, it's the same bridge...

And, hazah!, the giant torii gate is now sitting in higher tide, like it's floating they said.

Back in Hiroshima, Gerri finds the best worm platter places, oh, I mean freshly made noodle houses, with some good chicken plates for Tim.

---

Epilogue

Bonus photos - flowers on the mountain, one more giant torii gate scene - we can't seem to take enough photos of it, and the Japanese Raccoon Dog

​

Will the real Raccoon Dog please stand up please stand up.

Above photo, of the real raccoon dog, credited to:  I am KKPCW. And My main handle name is Kyu3. I uploaded photos in Wiki online photo album site under Creative Commons Licence (CC - BY - SA).