The Gates of Miyajima
Our next hostel was close to the ferry port on the way to Miyajima. Our initial idea was that we wanted to visit Hiroshima so this came as a wonderful coincidence as I never knew this was here.
Upon arrival at the island, I was greeted by a lot of friendly deer. Relatively reminiscent of Nara I thought, but with more sun and sea. In the distance we could see the gate so we headed down towards it and came pretty close.
It was pretty big and relatively magnificent though it didn’t seem as amazing as it has been portrayed in photos I’ve seen. Perhaps because it was flooded by surrounding tourists. I wanted to get as close as the gate itself but the tide started coming in so I didn’t get very far. A few photo snaps later and we had decided to have a brief look around the island before heading to Hiroshima.
We came across this 5-storey pagoda which is apparently famous in the area. Not entirely sure why but it was here and so I took this photo from below.
Found this dark temple too which we took a stroll through. None of the photos of this place came out very well unfortunately and the place itself was a little disappointing. ¥200 and all you got was this space and nothing else.
What a shame!
And this post therefore concludes the morning I had in Miyajima. Not a bad start to the area.
Robert Kodama, 
James, and 1 other are discussing. 
Mark 5:10 pm on October 2, 2011 Permalink |
Stunning pictures!
Robert Kodama 11:10 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink |
Thank you!
James 4:26 am on October 8, 2011 Permalink |
Hey there! Just ran across your site. I love your writing and photos.
I’ve been thinking about applying to Interac and live out my dream of living in Japan. I just want to know. Do you have any tips about doing that? Warnings? Thanks!
Robert Kodama 11:10 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink |
Hey! Thank you very much
Some days at the schools can seem a little long and they pay may not be extravagant but it surely is one of the better options that will get your foot into Japan. I think it’s definitely worth giving it a shot. There are other dispatch companies such as Heart but the pay is less. Also depends if you would enjoy assisting in teaching English at schools. Likelihood is you’ll be working in a few elementary schools but I just have one junior high school which is nice. I get to feel like I’m part of the school.
Skip 12:17 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink |
Beautiful pictures!
I bought a house in Hitachioomiya and go up now and then for weekends. Just got back yesterday a.m. from a long weekend. My house is in a place called Takabu, but it seems very close to Miwamura. Nothing to do but go for walks and drives around the little rural villages nearby. I drive into Hitachioomiya for shopping. It is like 35 minutes away, though! Went to Santanoyu and Sasanoyu, too.
Have you been to that bridge that looks like it’s out of Tetsuwan Atom? Over a river in the mountains?
I want to see Miyajima in person some day – never been there.
Robert Kodama 10:52 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink |
Miyajima is very nice! You should go there sometime. Seems like you’ve seen all the place has to offer! Good thing you have a car as it make living here a little easier. Yeah I’ve been to that bridge… Was a little annoyed I had to pay money to cross a bridge that didn’t lead to much.
Skip 5:11 am on October 24, 2011 Permalink
Just saw your atmospheric pix of Nagasaki, where I was for a few days in summer. Also went to Sasebo. The coastline down there is really beautiful, don(t you think? And it seems pristine for Japan – my friends say it’s because the area is used for fishing so kept clean. All kinds of little islets. And people say Nagasaki/Sasebo don’t get tsunami.
I tried Nagasaki champon while there, too, but I didn’t like the fishy dock taste nor the kaki oysters nor the octopus in the noodles. I think with noodles I prefer beef, chicken or pork. I’m a native fo San Francisco so these places reminded me of home, with the hills and the ports. Sasebo has a US naval base there, too, which has its ups and downs, an up being some interesting places for junk food American style – tacos, etc. And the people seem to like the gaijins down that way.
I was in Takabu the weekend before last and am trying to find out how they sort the bloody garbage. I was told (by some hood looking dudes on a back road) when I tried to throw a few plastic bags from the konbini out along the roadside at a garbage spot that I had to write my name on the bags and they needed to be sorted. Tokyo is similar – but the rules seem to change all the time. I also need to get my alien registration card revised to indicate my residence in Takabu.
I really like the hidden roads all over the place near me in Takabu (I am close to Miwamura, actually), some going through some pristine cedar forests with streams and brooks nearby. At night the roads are a little creepy – there is no lamp post lighting of the streets or hamlets and everything is very dark. And as you know, 2 lane roads suddenly transform into tiny footpaths. I see occasional signs warning of tooketsu – which makes me worry about getting around on the roads during the coldest parts of winter.
I also went to a few onsen (maybe they are more like suupaa sentos?), like Sasanoyu, and read the signs that people with tattoos are not allowed in – yet once you get in, they’re all over the place. They don’t seem especially nasty, though.
Just a passing thought, but when you go to Okinawa, be sure to go off the beaten paths. You’ll find some great serendipitous surprises.
Robert Kodama 8:38 am on October 25, 2011 Permalink
I think Nagasaki is influenced by other cultures so it seems that foreigners are absolutely welcome there. I know where Miwa is because my friend works there but am not too sure where Takabu is (unless it’s where the shrine with an owl is).
I was told that the yakuza frequent Sasanoyu even though tattoos aren’t allowed. I guess it’s specific people that can get in.