Japan 2016 Part 4: Miyajima Island
July 01, 2016
Here goes the Miyajima Island leg of my trip, which deserves its own blog post. This might be lengthy. I hope you enjoy!
CONTINUATION OF DAY 3 (March 11, 2016) | Miyajima Island + Mikuniya Guest House
The Hiroshima City loop bus stopped in front of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park so we were able to successfully board the bus to go back to Hiroshima Station. No more walking around this time, thankfully! In Hiroshima Station, we got our stuff from the rental locker then rode the JR Sanyo train bound for Miyajimaguchi Station. The train ride was interesting because it gave off a different feeling as compared to our train rides in Tokyo. The scenery was different, the look of the train was different, even the characteristics of the locals were different. It's not a bad kind of different, though. We were amused because we got used to fast-paced, highly urbanized Tokyo and Hiroshima had a more chill, easy-going feel to it. Either way, I adore both places because they give off different charms. Exploring places far from the capital showed us how big and diverse Japan is!
Miyajimaguchi Station was 25 minutes away from Hiroshima Station. From Miyajimaguchi Station, we followed the directions that would lead us to the ferry port. If I'm not mistaken, the ferry leaves every 10 minutes. There is a JR ferry so we didn't have to pay for the ride (thank you for the nth time, JR Pass!).
The ride lasted for a couple of minutes but that did not stop us from taking lots of photos!
The ride lasted for a couple of minutes but that did not stop us from taking lots of photos!
Let's go and board the ferry!
Inside the ferry! We sat for a while but we didn't want to miss the view so we went out afterwards~
Cold weather and a beautiful view... take me back!
Tired but still very much excited to see another UNESCO World Heritage Site -- the Itsukushima Shrine!
Thank you to the Japanese man who took this photo for us! You are so kind!
Getting nearer... I spot the famous shrine!
Getting nearer... I spot the famous shrine!
We arrived in the sacred island at around 4:30PM and the landscape that greeted us was magnificent! Deers roaming around, newly bloomed cherry blossoms, beautiful architecture of the structures/buildings/temples -- the island gives off an old school vibe. We felt like we were thrown back in time because of how everything looked! The place is so peaceful and calming and you will absolutely feel that you are far from the city. It's the perfect location to meditate and reflect about life.
Miyajima Island wasn't exactly part of the initial must-go-to places we came up with while making our itinerary (because we didn't know about it then), although we did establish that we would definitely go to Hiroshima. Jj was the one who created our whole itinerary and while he was researching, he found out about this sacred island and how it's one of Japan's most scenic places. He also told us that we would be able to see the Itsukushima Shrine, which is one of the "Three Views of Japan." Props to Jj for coming up with our itinerary (from what mode of transportation we needed to ride, to our expenses, etc.) because if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have set foot on this beautiful island.
Exhaustion written all over our faces but you know, we just had to take a selfie as proof that we successfully reached the "Shrine Island!"
Before exploring Miyajima further, we had to check into our accommodation for the night first. Instead of opting for a modern hotel, we chose a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) to heighten the whole cultural immersion/experience. We stayed in Mikuniya Guest House and we picked the room that is good for 2-3 people. Jj reserved the room a few weeks before our travel date to ensure its availability.
The guest house is a 10-15min walk from the ferry port and it is located within (I suppose) a residential area. We actually got lost while looking for it, resulting into a 20-25min walk for us. Anyway, our tired feet recovered when we entered the guest house because it felt so homely! The owner is very accommodating and kind as well. The guest house has a common area (with a desktop computer and a big television!), a kitchen + dining area (free breakfast and snacks!), shared bathroom (very clean!) and a spacious garden. Its look and feel fit perfectly in the island.
Our room was clean and spacious as well. It has a traditional Japanese dining table, a mini refrigerator, futon (for the bed), sink + mirror and chairs and table for the balcony-like area. We also had an amazing view from our window so additional points for that!
The hanging light from our room was reflected on the window lol. Look at the architecture of the houses though! Cool~
What a calming view! The world is indeed a beautiful place.
We settled down first, rested our tired feet, charged our devices, etc. before we realized that we should probably get dinner because it was 6pm already. The owner of the guest house told us that most shops/restaurants close by 6pm and he even gave us a map that listed down all the restaurants that would be open even after 6pm. Lo and behold, when we left the guest house before 7pm, most of the shops were indeed closed already. It was dark and very quiet that the atmosphere honestly scared me. You wouldn't see people roaming around at that time, except maybe for tourists. Even the deers were already asleep and you would see them settling down on random places around the island. What we did was just choose a restaurant from the map and headed there. Most of the restaurants that are still open after 6pm are near each other so finding a dining place wouldn't really be difficult.
We passed by the Itsukushima Shrine while we were looking for dining places to eat in. Notice how at this time, probably around 7pm, you can still walk to the shrine since it is not surrounded by water... yet.
Another view of the shrine! You can also see the city lights from the photo. The city was so close (just a 10 minute ferry ride away!) yet felt so far. :) The Japanese really did a great job in preserving the sacred and peaceful atmosphere of the island. A perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Such a blurry photo because the lighting was bad but this just shows how dark and empty the streets are after 6pm! You can totally have a photoshoot ~anywhere~ and no one will pass by and photobomb you lol!
We picked a Japanese restaurant for dinner and we failed to take a photo of it because we were too hungry. What I can share though is that the restaurant closes at 9pm! #thisiswhyiamnotatravelblogger Sorry, I'll be more helpful next time~
Tempura soba soup and currydon for dinner! Yum!
After dinner, we immediately headed back to the guest house because you really wouldn't see anything anymore. Closed shops + dark surroundings + quiet environment + sleeping deers! I was also getting chilly not only because of the cold but also because I felt scared (cue Japanese horror movies scenes in my mind). I'm pretty sure there are no bad spirits in the island but I guess I am not used to such a still environment?? Anyway...
We passed by Itsukushima Shrine again on the way back to the guest house and look! The water rose already! This is why this is one Japan's Three Views, when it's low tide it looks like a normal shrine but when it's high tide, it looks like it's floating~ Amazing!
We just had to take a photo with the sign of our guest house hehe.
When we got back to our ryokan, we were so tired and we just wanted to lie down on the bed and chill. But... of course we couldn't do that because we had to arrange the futon! We were confused because there were lots of foams and sheets and we did not know how to properly arrange this traditional Japanese bedding. We searched for it online but we still failed. Nica and I were ready to give up and just lie down on whatever arrangement we came up with but Jj didn't want to! He told us that we should make the most out of this traditional Japanese living experience and that included arranging the futon the right way. In the end, we successfully set out the beddings and man, was it a comfortable bed! It was definitely an effective barrier from the cold weather.
Again, I do not have a photo of the bed because we were too tired to even think of taking photos. Sorry. I wish we did a video/time lapse on how we arranged the futon, though. That would've been funny because it would've consisted of clips of Nica and I giving up and lying down on the unfinished beddings lol.
Again, I do not have a photo of the bed because we were too tired to even think of taking photos. Sorry. I wish we did a video/time lapse on how we arranged the futon, though. That would've been funny because it would've consisted of clips of Nica and I giving up and lying down on the unfinished beddings lol.
The closest futon photo I can find (Less than 1/8 of Nica's bedding was captured on the lower right end of this photo hehehe) -_- We had to push the dining table + chairs to the side so we can set out the futon. Before sleeping, we had a heart-to-heart talk while eating chips we got from 7Eleven Hiroshima Station and drinking beer from the kitchen (it's not free, though!)
DAY 4 (March 12, 2016) | Miyajima Island
We fell asleep before 10pm and woke up at 8am the next day... that was how exhausted we were. 8am was also our latest wake up time yet during our stay in Japan. After rearranging the room back to its original state (beddings in the closet, dining table in the middle, etc.), taking a bath, having breakfast and checking out from the guest house, we were ready to explore Miyajima Island!
Oh, I have to mention that the owner of the guesthouse gave us souvenirs as well. How sweet! We will definitely stay in Mikuniya Guest House again when we go back to the island.
Still a part of the guest house, Nica just had to pose this way! Looks legit!
You can also buy random souvenir items in the guest house!
We had no itinerary in mind as we explore the island because of 1.) time constraints and 2.) finding out only the night before that there are lots of activities we can do in Miyajima. This map for example lists down all the temples and attractions we can discover there. It was heartbreaking, not getting to see all of these, but no worries! We are planning to go back here again and spend one FULL day in the island.
Captured somewhere near our guest house. It looked like I was thrown back in time right? I miss this so much! :(
While walking around, we spotted this cherry blossom tree. Thank you for blooming just in time for us to appreciate you! The pink flowers + bright blue combination gives off that "straight from an anime" vibe, minus the cartoonized effect hehe. Pretty, pretty, pretty!
Nica and I capturing the lone cherry blossom tree...
Of course I needed a solo photo! Notice the background and appreciate how everything is so beautifully made?? (I'm not referring to myself LOLOLOL)
Another place of worship, I think...
I don't know what this is for but it's visually appealing so lemme take a picture!
Everything is pisturesque, even rocks and trees! Can you spot the deers?
I'm waiting for my... ummm... rickshaw?? lol (candid photo that's why it's slanted)
The sky is so blue and bright, thus, we can finally take more photos because of the natural lighting!
To the Itsukushima Shrine~ It has an admission fee!
The torii is floating already. The day before, we saw people taking photos between the two pillars. In the photo, you wouldn't be able to do that cause it was high tide. It looks magical!
There's this deck connected to the shrine which is also the perfect location to take a photo of the floating gate. During low tide, you could go down from the deck and take a photo near the torii itself.
We could only do a selfie kind of thing with the floating torii. High five cause it's high tide!
A wider view~ The weather was so cold despite the sun being high so I had to wear gloves.
We were supposed to catch the 1020AM ferry boat ride back to Miyajimaguchi Station but we had too much fun doing the following...
...eating these oysters. We bought 2 more orders after eating this!
Even the store where we bought the oysters from looks traditional!
Nica also saw one of her childhood inspirations while we were eating the oysters... Mr. Del Monte Kitchenomics himself: Chef Sandy Daza! He even recommended some stores we could get the best oysters from (in Hiroshima).
Another reason why we almost messed up our schedule... taking a photo with the deers.
Cause who would miss this opportunity?? They look so cute, their eyes are closed! Heehee!
Jj just had to pet them!
After all the stalling and not wanting to leave the island, we had to run so we could catch the 10:40AM ferry boat ride. If not, our whole itinerary would be ruined because we would have to take a different Shinkansen schedule, etc.
Yay! We successfully boarded the 10:40AM ferry!
So long, one of the most peaceful places I've been to. I'll see you soon~
Do visit Miyajima Island if you have the opportunity. It's a one of a kind experience and it will give you peace of mind... even for just a day. :)
P.S. Lots of photos were grabbed from Jj! He's the artsy one here!
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