Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
On the second day, we head from Hiroshima city to Miyajima. We leave Hiroshima Station and head to Miyajimaguchi, blending in with the commuters. We take our time to explore the shrines and temples on Miyajima. The entire island of Miyajima is a sacred place, and there are many temples and shrines on the island that are revered by people all over the country.
Visit the Five-Story Pagoda and Senjokaku with a lunch box of "Musubi Musashi," a Hiroshima specialty.
First, we had breakfast at Hiroshima Station. We bought a specialty bento at "Musubi Musashi," which opens at 7am. It was so popular that it was said that "Musubi Musashi's young chicken bento is in Hiroshima," and it had a nostalgic, homemade taste.
Head to Miyajima with your lunch box in hand.
It takes about 10 minutes by ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima. Regular routes are currently in operation, but the ferry terminal that serves as the gateway to Miyajima is currently under construction and will be transformed into a more convenient port.
First, we visited "Senjokaku (Toyokuni Shrine)" and "Five-story Pagoda" in Miyajima. The two are next to each other, but they were built in very different years, with the five-story pagoda being built more than 100 years ago. It is made of cypress bark and features a roof that looks like spreading wings.
Senjokaku is a large sutra hall ordered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. However, due to Hideyoshi's sudden death, the construction was left unfinished to this day. The large hall and thick pillars are impressive. The view of the sea from here is also amazing.
Musubi Musashi bento is available at the Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit "ekie". Take-out is available from 7am.
This is Musashi's popular "Young Chicken Rice Ball Bento." The bento is packaged in red during Hiroshima Carp games, but as the team achieved their ninth consecutive victory this year, the same package will continue to be used even after the season ends. Three large pieces of fried chicken and two rice balls is a heavy breakfast! But it's delicious and full of a homemade feel.
We immediately changed to a ferry at Miyajimaguchi and headed for Miyajima.
There are two ferry companies, but the fare is the same for both, although you may be able to get a cheaper option with unlimited rides or a set discount.
As someone who grew up on the Sea of Japan, I think the Seto Inland Sea is a big lake because it has so few waves... Oyster rafts were lined up. In the distance, I could see the torii gate and Itsukushima Shrine. We had arrived at Miyajima. The boat ride took about 10 minutes.
After passing through the streets lined with Miyajima souvenir shops, we headed first to the five-story pagoda. It is unknown who commissioned this pagoda. It was built in 1407 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. After passing through the streets lined with Miyajima souvenir shops, we headed first to the five-story pagoda.
Next to it is Senjokaku. This is the Daikyodo Sutra Hall, which was built at the command of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is a large building that Hideyoshi had built to mourn those who died in battle.
The highlight is the exposed beams supporting the large roof. The large paintings, frames, rice scoops and other items on display are also very dynamic.
Toyokuni Shrine is located inside Senjokaku. Hideyoshi is enshrined here, and you can receive a red seal here.
Senjokaku offers a beautiful view of the sea below, and in the summer it is a pleasant spot with a breeze blowing through.
Both the five-story pagoda and Senjokaku were managed by Daiganji Temple during the period of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism. Daiganji Temple is known for its distinctive tower gate.
The path overlooking the five-story pagoda and Senjokaku continues to Komyoin Temple.
It is quite secluded so there were not many people there, but the falling maple leaves made for a very beautiful temple.
With so many beautiful maple trees, you can enjoy the greenery in summer and the colorful leaves in autumn.
Miyajima Daihonzan Daishoin Temple has numerous halls set on grounds that make the most of the natural terrain.
Next, we head to Daishoin Temple, which is located on a small hill.
Daisho-in Temple is the oldest temple on Miyajima. In addition to its long history, it is a highly prestigious temple with many cultural assets. Its vast grounds and large hall are simply spectacular. Located in the bosom of Mount Misen, known as the sacred mountain, it is an attractive temple that rivals Itsukushima Shrine, and during the period of Shinbutsu Shugo (syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism), it was the temple in charge of the shrine's rituals.
Even in the spiritual atmosphere, you can sense the flexibility of Buddhism that is close to the people, so it's best to visit the shrine with a relaxed attitude and no pressure.
We head up the gentle slope towards Daisho-in Temple, which was founded in 806 by Kobo Daishi.
The Shiraito River flows from Mt. Misen to the foot of Daisho-in Temple. There are huge boulders lying around, as if blocking the waterway.
Niomon Gate. This was rebuilt in the Showa era. There are stairs leading up from here.
The bell tower in the shadow of the maple trees. You can also ring the bell.
We arrived at Onarimon Gate. This is where we started our tour of the many large-scale temples.
Imperial prayer hall. This building is the main hall of Daisho-in Temple.
Hensho Cave. The inside of the cave is lit up with fantastic lights.
Further up is Maniden Hall.
The temple has a grand scale. It is also friendly, so you will want to enjoy your visit and go home feeling blessed with good fortune.
Tour Itsukushima Shrine, enjoying a quiet morning worship and its fantastical appearance from dusk into the night.
Miyajima is now a popular spot throughout the country, and the one that attracts the most visitors is Itsukushima Shrine, a vermilion-lacquered shrine that appears to float in the sea.
This time, I visited twice, once at low tide in the evening and once at high tide in the morning. No matter what time you visit, it is majestic and magnificently beautiful.
I enjoyed the torii gates floating in the sea as the sun went down in the evening, and chose to visit Itsukushima Shrine in the morning when there were fewer people. Therefore, I stayed overnight at Miyajimaguchi and planned an itinerary that allowed me to enjoy both morning and evening.
This was my fourth time to Miyajima, including my first visit as a child. However, it was my first time to travel alone to Miyajima, and I was able to spend as much time as I wanted wherever I wanted.
It was a wonderful and special time visiting the shrine with my camera in the fresh morning air.
At low tide, I went down to the beach and went up close to the large torii gate.
The shrine can only be seen from the sea during low tide.
As the tide gradually starts to come in and it gets dark, people with cameras start to gather around the spot when the lights come on.
The lanterns are lit about 30 minutes after sunset. This is a time that many people look forward to, but depending on the season, the temperature can suddenly drop and it can get very cold, so it's important to take precautions against the cold.
The next morning, I took the earliest ferry to visit Itsukushima Shrine. The first ferry departed at 6:25.
According to the shrine's legend, Itsukushima Shrine was founded in the first year of the reign of Empress Suiko (593). It is said that the name "Ichikishima" came from the fact that it was built to enshrine Princess Ichikishima.
From the front, there is the flat stage, purification hall, worship hall, offering hall, and main hall.
A look at the place from the opposite side the day before. The view from in front of the main hall towards the large torii gate.
By the time we finished looking, the weather had unfortunately turned bad, but the deer family running around happily seemed to get along well.
Read the second part here
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
