Itsukushima or more known as Miyajima is an Island not very far from Hiroshima city center. Accoding to our friend it's a must visit!! I didn't do much homework about this island so i didn't know what to expect nor have i seen any pictures of the place. We were not dissapointed. sometimes one just need to just go blindly and let its surprise you! boy were we surprise....it is a beautiful place, the sea, the mountains, the temples and shrines just a perfect place to escape from the city

Heavy breakfast 1st before headed out

just beside our hotel it's a kind of "food court" for Okonomoyaki! lots of choices but we were early most stall opens at 11am, but there are a few that opens at 10am

trying our Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki

it's slightly different, they dont mix the flour with the cabbage instead they make layers the flour, then cabbage, noodles(optional) and toppings

we order oyster and another pork belly, price is almost the same in Osaka, ranging from 1000-2000yen depends what add ons you order. Taste not bad but we still love the one in Osaka...that's the best Okonomiyaki we had so far

Our journey start from the Hiroshima station we took the local JR sanyo line to Miyajima guchi station. With our JR pass, it's totally free!!! the train took about 40 minutes(well it's a slower train)

just opposite road from the train station is the ferry to Miyajima

JR pass also includes the ferry ride..woo hoo but then it only cost 180yen/ one way for a 10 minutes ride

O-torii Gate

boon ready and eager to explore

we are finally here, Miyajima! it has long been regarded as Island of the God, it is believed that the whole island to be God's body...i wonder which part are we at now?? :P

Miyajima is one of the 3 most scenic spots of Japan. Well according to a Confucian scholar, in 1643 he wrote a book based on his experience as he traveled throughout Japan on foot. He bestowed his unqualified praise on the 3 location , Matsushima, Amanohashidate and here, Miyajima.

i wonder if this is that scholar??

lots of deer roaming around sniffing other deers behind...life is good for them

it is quite picturesque

couldn't resist a picture here

gate to Itsukushima Shrine,

a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996

enjoying the sea breeze, we were lucky with the weather

view of the O-torii Gate from the Island

during low tide, one can walked to the torii gate

it looks pretty much very green still for early December...i was hopping for more autumn foliage but then again we had enjoy it in Kyoto

the contrast between the red torii gate with the emerald sea water totally beautiful and not to forget gorgeous me in yellow mustard....yum! i mean peace :P

getting near to the star attraction of Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine

no idea what this horse is all about. maybe back in the days it's a stable ??? but it's rather small for a stable though

entrance fee is 300yen/adult

Itsukushima shrine was built in the late 6th century, it was destroyed several time and was always rebuilt not exactly but slightly modified

this white thingy are used to brush both side of your shoulder.......for what??? i have no idea but it looks fun though

view of the 5 storied pagoda from the Itsukushima Shrine

is that crane?

all these structures are connected by corridors, and when light hits the ceiling of the corridors made by the ripple waves, it's just mesmerizing

so peaceful here

the vermilion color of the shrines and also the O-torii gate is consider to keep evil spirits away and also this vermilion lacquer is also efficient as protection from corrosion. Yes just like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

also it looks very nice

in line to take picture with this famous torii gate

this torii gete of Itsukushima is designed as a National Important Cultural Property, made of natural cedar and the roof thatched with famous Japanese cypress bark. This present gate, is the 8th since 1875

thanks for the helping us to take a photo stranger!

according to the leaflet there, Utsukushima Shrine is dedicated to the 3 Munakat goddesses ( i will skip the names its rather long). Anyway these 3 goddesses are worshiped as deities of sea, traffic safety, fortune and accomplishment

sake barrel is donate to the temples and shrines as offering for the god, an old Japanese custom

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the back part of the shrine

where many who prayed to the goddesses and place their written fortune aka Omikuji

how?

1. put in 100yen

2. Pray or make a wish, at the same time shake this metal box few times until a wooden stick marked with number fall out

3. check the number on the wooden stick and put it back in the metal box

4. then search for your written fortune(a small piece of paper) from the drawer marked the number you got from the wooden stick

5. the written fortune can be brought back home or just tied it to the pole

am praying for a blessed 2016

this is a noh stage which dates from 1590. where they do theater performances to pay homage to the gods through the ritual acting out of key events in Shinto myth