Miyajima Day Trip

On the 4th-5th of January I headed on a nice once day trip to Miyajima with some lovely ladies I know. We had a great time and I cant wait to go back and see more of Hiroshima this year.

I dont know much about the travel there because Yuka drove us. After a nice 3 hour drive and numerous jam out sessions to Bruno Mars and other epic dance music we found ourselves at a tiny guest house for the night. We arrived in Hiroshima at the guest house around 11 pm and wanted go out to clubs and dance the night away. Sadly, everything was closed because of the new years holiday so we settled in for some drinks at a backpackers bar we found wondering through the shopping district.

When we arrived we were the only people in the humble little bar and not soon after a nice drunken wedding party happened to stumble in. We spent the night chatting back and forth in English and Japanese and I enjoyed every bit of the strange encounters with the less than sober bunch.

After a while we traveled back to the hostel for a nights rest before heading to Miyajima in the morning to see the famous tori gate.

Some Photos :)

Yuka smiles from he bunk at the guest house

Makeup in the morning. Ladies must look their best when hunting down Geocaches and seeing tori gates! 

Hanaco watching some crazy Japanese morning show. I had no idea what was going on but at one point an man in skin tight pants was running about pretending to have a ragging erection. 

This guys kept talking selfies. I couldnt resist taking his photo. though I think the couple behind him thought I was taking their picture and soon after they took a picture of us....weird....

View from the boat

There were deer EVERYWHERE! It was crazy. 

We couldn't help but want a photo 

oh deer......

Tabi and the Gate

Tabi selfie!

Just hanging around 

Miyajima is a small island less than an hour outside the city of Hiroshima. It is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views.

While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for "shrine island". This is because the island is so closely related to its key shrine, Itsukushima Shrine, in the public's mind. Like the torii gate, the shrine's main buildings are built over water.

(from travel guide) 

Just north of the gate you can enter a shrine area and pray, take photos, walk about and enjoy the general splendor. 

Typical ceremonies at the shrine. 

I kept this photo because I think its the only time I will see people queue properly in Japan. 

A beautiful Kimono I saw

I thought it was lovely so I asked her if I could take her photo. Actually Hanaco asked but ya..... 

Tabi-chan rockin a traditional mask 

Stopped for some Okonomiyaki and a nice break after getting some cute charms in the market area. 

Yuka and Hanaco surprised me with my own charm! I love it! It says Debby in Japanese! 

Hanaco being beautiful

I call this "reflective Yuka" 

Goodbye Miyajima! Mata ne!