So, we awoke after a warm sleep in our hostel bunk-beds. Today we planned on going to Miyajima Island. It is famous for it’s red/orange floating torii gate that leads to Itsukushima-jinja. Jill and I took the bus to the train station where we purchased oishi bagels from a bakery. Up until this point we had had an unblemished record for not getting lost or taking the wrong trains etc. So when we were munching on our bagels happily we didn’t notice the train was going in the opposite direction we wanted it to be going. Oh well, it only made a 25 minute ride, an hour, hahah.
When we reached Miyajima we caught a ferry across to the island. Once on island we walked down the main road where there were yummy vendors everywhere (again). Miyajima’s specialty is oysters, and little maple leaves with cream in the middle. We passed by the largest rice spoon in Japan. The rice spoon apparently originated in Miyajima.
Then we went to see the floating torrii, which during the day isn’t so much floating, but amazing non-the-less. Itsukushima-Jinja dates back to the 6th century. This is one of the three most beautiful spots in Japan (according to lonely planet!). This island is so sacred that women are not allowed to give birth on the island. There were also deer EVERYWHERE, they follow you around in hopes you will feed them. Their horns are mostly cut off for your protection, but some higher on the mountain are in their natural state. They are also very cubby, hahah.
There is also a neat five story pagoda. I loved the pagoda’s this trip. They stand so tall and proud with their pointy Asian architectural designs. It dates back to 1407. Jill and I successfully tried the inverse peace sign which turned out great…soooo different form the regular peace symbol, hahah.
Then we headed up the mountain to the garden Momiji-dani, and various other shrines. We had also decided to go to the very top of the mountain. This required us to either hike, or take a ropeway to the top. So we cruised up to the ticket window and asked for a one-way ticket to the top….all he said was “Where you from?”, hahah, apparently he wanted to show us that to get down took 1-2 hours at a good pace. Annnnd since it was winter, it would be mighty cold, and possibly dangerous. So we opted for the return ticket, and thank Buddha we did because the rope-way took long enough, and was incredibly high. This is a picture of me being really excited about the ropeway trip. Every time we got into a rope-way cart (there were two), the Japanese people who had to take it with us were terrified of Jill and I, you’d think they had never seen two blond girls together before.
When we got to the top, we were in for a great surprise! Monkey’s were everywhere!!!!!!! Little ones and big ones, and breastfeeding babies. They were sooooooooo cute, but also kind of scary. There were lots of warning signs to not look at them in the eyes, or to touch them.
After the ropeway ‘close’ to the top, you were on your own to make it the rest of the way. This next picture is a picture from where we started, and if you look across to the next huge hill, THAT is where we ended up. NOT an easy hike to say the least. It was hard stuff, first downhill, and then uphill. Jill and I had to encourage each other the whole way, hahaha.
This is me barely making it! But so worth it when you get to the top, and see the snow and deer and view of the surrounding islands. We had conquered Mt Misen!!! Then of course we had to go back, which was mostly downhill, phewf!
There was also a cool shrine on the mountain which had a cauldron that Buddhist saint Kobo Diashi lit in around 835, which has been kept simmering ever since. The picture didn’t turn out great.
And then sadly we had to leave the island as the sun was setting, and Jill had to get back to Osaka that night. But it was a great day, possibly one of the coolest places I had been in Japan.
But of course I cannot forget the Oyster story. As embarrassing as it may be, it was funny. So all day Jill and I had been hitting the food stands to try the local cuisine. At the end of the day Jill had to try the famous Oysters before we left. So she ordered regular oysters and I ordered deep fried ones. The guy pointed to the pile in front of the window, so naturally I thought he had indicated that I take form the pile, AND since this is what we did in Chinatown the day before, I thought nothing of it. Yes they were cold, but still quite delicious....so we were eating away when a guy rushed out and took it from me, and said no, no. Jill and I burst out laughing knowing that I had just started to eat the ‘sample’ oyster which had probably been out since early that morning. Because Japanese people think anything remotely embarrassing is entirely mortifying they quickly came out with not one, but two orders of the hot deep fried oysters. So yes it was a little embarrassing, but I did score us some extra famous oysters, hahaha. Although I was a little scared of getting food poisoning, I was totally fine :)
It was very sad saying goodbye to Jill, my travel buddy, but we had to part ways. I was left to fend for myself. It is a totally different experience traveling on your own, but also a very rewarding and reflective one. With my i-pod as my only friend I headed back to the hostel for a good ‘team’ bath, and warm sleep. I say team bath because the hostel only had a public bath and a high school just happened to be staying at the hostel that night too. So basically I had to get naked with a bunch of giggling teenage girls, and bathe. At this point in my life though I am very comfortable with myself, and could not have cared less. Squeaky clean I headed for my book, and bunk bed.
Next stop.....kyoto!
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