Miyajima Island

We got another early start this morning, leaving Kyoto Station @ 7:42am and arriving in Hiroshima just after 9:30am.

Hiroshima`s street car system seems to be the most efficient (ok, easiest) way to get around the city, though it could use some modernization and cleanup.

We checked into the J-Hoppers Hiroshima Trad Guesthouse (converted hotel), then were off for Miyajima Island for the day.

We got to the island for lunch, where we feasted on a could of rice dishes with egg (raw, according to Sarah) and a huge serving of sushi, including Sarah`s favourite Octopus and Eel. : )

We visited the Senjokaku (Pavilion of 1000 mats) and got a close-up look at the 5 storey Pagoda next to it, something I didn`t have time to do on my last visit.

Next was the Itsukushima Shrine, where we were lucky enough to witness a traditional Japanese wedding.

We started up the trail, that Stacey and I had previously climbed, to find out that it was closed for extensive restoration after the damaged caused by a typhoon last year. The entire base of the path appeared to have been washed out, as well as, areas further up. So we added an extra kilometer to our hike, by having to walk to another trail.

The trail we ended up on was 2.5km long ascending to the peak of Mt. Misen which stands 523m high. Needless to say Sarah enjoyed the beer from the dilapidated look-out point at the top. Sarah has now joined the ranks of Stacey (2), Paul (1) and myself (2) who have ascending the mountain.

We arrived at the ropeway 15 minutes before it shut-down for the evening. Paul and Stacey missed it on their climb. Ha, ha!

There were no monkeys to be seen, but we ran into three Canadian gentlemen. When I asked them where they were from one of them said Cambridge, near Toronto. They had to make sure they said Cambridge, Ontario, when we said that`s where we were from. Of all the places. They were brought over (1st class) by Toyota for meetings and work on the Corolla and had the weekend off to tour the country (all paid for). We took the ropeway down with them and had a good chat.

As we were walking back to catch the ferry, the tide was out and people were walking out to the torii gate. After some coxing, Sarah and walked out and got some unique shots.

It began to shower as the ferry departed the island.

Another full and tiring day ended with a stroll back to the Hostel, through the Peace Memorial Park.