Blogs from Miyajima, Hiroshima, Japan, Asia

For breakfast every day so far I have had salad and fruit but today I was able to have my favourite cereal - cocoa pops! We were met in the hotel by our guide for the day Masako. Our first stop was the island of Miyajima. We took a train to Miyajimaguchi and then a ferry across to Miyajima. Whilst we were on the train I asked a question about the railway. All the rail lines are run by JR - Japan Rail. The railway started off as a nationalised enterprise until 1 April 1987. It split into seven companies - six being passenger companies and one being a freight company. Although they all carry the same logo they are distinct companies; they do not have a group holding company or a group headquarters, they are ... read more

The island of Itsukushima is more famously known as Deer Island. The Sika deer roam freely amongst the shrines, shops, and visitors. They are very tame and friendly . In ancient times, the deer on Miyajima were worshipped as messengers of the Gods and of the locals. Just don't let your guard down, bc they will come after your breakfast muffin!... read more

Z Hiroshima’ą jest podobnie jak z włoską Pizą. Niby jedziesz do niej ale po zobaczeniu krzywej wieży i zrobieniu z nią 10 obowiązkowych fotek, gdzie ta wyrasta partnerowi z głowy, robi za dezodorant pod pachą etc., każdy zwija manatki i jedzie do Sieny lub Florencji. Miasto nie ma po prostu wiele więcej do zaoferowania. Podobnie, głównym celem naszej obecności w prefekturze Hiroshima nie było samo miasto, lecz oferująca wiele więcej atrakcji dla podniebienia i oczu, wyspa Miyajima. Park pamięci ofiar wybychu bomby, przykry i dołujący obowiązek, został spełniony dzień wcześniej więc po zjedzeniu śniadania od razu wsiedliśmy w pociąg podmiejski, który dowiózł nas do przystani promowej, z której dbijał prom na wyspę. Pogoda byla tak piękna a prom tak malowniczo i spokojnie sunął po wodzie, że nie przepadająca za pływaniem Basia (przybiera zazwyczaj kolory bardzo irlandzkie) ... read more

Today was a first in that I relaxed on the beach with a few deer. It was also a first in that I saw three small dogs and a cat all being pushed around in a pram by an elderly man. But as I'm in Japan, I'm getting used to experiencing 'firsts'. We were a bit worn out due to many long days of exploring Japan, so I decided we could have a lie in, oooh at least until 8.30am! At Hiroshima station, an employee whose job is to direct tourists in the right direction placed us on the correct platform for Miyajimaguchi Station where we planned to catch a ferry to Miyajima Island - all of this was free with our JR pass. The train was ram packed full of tourists so we had to ... read more

After a heavy day I was up for some hiking. So I took the bike ( for free :D ) as a true Dutch person should to the island. The weather wasn't all that nice but it was warm enough for a shirt, so I'm content with that. I biked through the small town up to the famous 'floating' torii gate. Floating because in high tide the torii gate appears to be floating. Anyway, it was a nice view but meh. I checked out a few temples but they looked far too basic to go in. So I went for a coffee. Best coffe I have had in Japan so far and the staff was very nice. After that I went for some homemade ice cream, flavors: green tea and black sesame. The black sesame was ... read more