A City of Warning and Myajima Island

Asia » Japan » Hiroshima » Hiroshima
June 23rd 2009

Published: November 7th 2009

Hiroshima Upon arriving by Shinkansen train we were immediately greeted by warmer weather and it has to be said a warmer people. Hiroshima will always stand out in history as the place where the first atomic bomb was dropped to devastating effect. So much of the area is understandably dominated by this history with monuments, parks, museums and sculptures and there is a huge sense of what happene... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 41, Displayed: 21

Temple

Hiroshima Castle

West meets East

Hiroshima

Hiroshima was proclaimed a City of Peace by the Japanese parliament in 1949, at the initiative of its mayor, Shinzo Hamai (19051968).

Before the Bomb

The building was originally designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel. It was completed in April 1915, and the new building was named the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition.

Crossing by Boat

Miyajima Island

Itsukushima is an island in the Inland Sea of Japan. It is popularly known as Miyajima

Miyajima Island

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

Goju-no-to Pagoda

Itsukushima Shrine (torii)

The shrine is dedicated to the three daughters of the Shinto deity Susano-o no Mikoto, brother of the great sun deity, Amaterasu (the tutelary deity of the Imperial household).

Itsukushima Shrine (torii)

The present shrine dates from the mid-16th century, having been rebuilt in keeping with its earlier 12th century design.

Miyajima Island

The first shrine buildings were probably erected in the 6th century, and the shrine has been destroyed many times.

Itsukushima Shrine (torii)

The shrine's construction, consisting of pier-like structures built over the bay, is due to the holy status that the island once commanded.

Itsukushima Shrine (torii)

Commoners were historically not allowed to set foot on the island, and had to approach by boat, entering through the gate that appears to float.

Itsukushima Shrine (torii)

The dramatic gate (torii) of Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions, and the view of the gate in front of the island's Mount Misen is classified as one of the Three Views of Japan (along with the sand bar Amanohashidate, and Matsushima Bay).

Senjō-kaku Temple

Because the island is seen as sacred, trees may not be cut for lumber. Deer and monkeys roam freely.

Senjō-kaku Temple

Miyajima Island

Miyajima's maple trees are renowned throughout Japan, and blanket the island in crimson in the autumn.

Miyajima Island

A style of wooden spoon used to serve cooked rice, without impairing the taste, is said to have been invented by a monk who lived on the island.

Goju-no-to Pagoda

From the Senjō-kaku Temple

Crossing by Boat

Tot: 0.22s; Tpl: 0.021s; cc: 25; qc: 106; dbt: 0.1548s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.3mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Ollie Taylor (Olstar) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

A City of Warning and Myajima Island

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved