Miyajima

Hey everyone! I just now got online because we didn't get any internet connection almost all all weekend. I was trying to steal some internet connection off some random source but it wouldn't let me. So yeah, everyone was pissed at that. But I am back and ready to share tons of pictures once again!

This weekend, we went to Miyajima. It's an island, just barely 10 minutes off the south side of Hiroshima. Miyajima is definitely a place you have to see once you get a chance to travel around Japan.


Like in every shrine or temples around here, there is a place for purification, such as this. Ideally, you're supposed to rinse your mouth and wash your hands as you enter. This probably was the root of why the Japanese are so clean in general. Just every single place that I have been so far, there is always a place to wash your hands. And the toilet? I already told some of you but that's a completely different post.

I don't really want to write about its history because I'm already writing one for our religion class (which is due tomorrow, by the way) so google it. The place is huge though and we were lucky enough to witness a traditional Japanese wedding, comeplete with tradtional attire.



So we did a short pilgrimage to the top where they have the buddhist temples. Miyajima is kind of like hawaii, where it goes uphill towards the center. So here's a snapshot on the way to the temples.



The island a residential and tourist area, but more on the a latter with all the shrines. However, the amount of history of Miyajima Island is just overwhelming. Here is the Daishoin, one of the most popular temples in Japan.



Just walking through the temples is somewhat uplifting knowing that the place had been part of a great tradition. There was one when we had to walk underground with all the sutras embedded on the wall. It was pretty scary but cool at the same time. As with almost any religion, there are also ways to express you wishes.



After the long hike, we were treated with a really nice Japanese Cuisine. Best sashimi so far! And you'd think that the serving was little with how they were put into small partitions but oh boy, were we full!



Everybody wanted to sleep after because the place is just too comfortable.. But then who wants to go to sleep if you can go shopping!



The day ended with us having some free time around the island and me, Amanda, Tracy, Biance and Monique relaxed in a small river where we just chilled out with our feet soaked in fresh cool water. I wasn't able to take a picture becuase my battery ran out. Say, 411 pictures? So I'd have to borrow Tracy's on that one. Then, my photo account just filled up! Apprarently, they have limits!

Well at any rate, that's my trip to Miyajima. I'd definitely go back someday because there is so much to see and experience. I didn't even get to ride the cable cars to the top of the mountain! I also bought postcards so if you want one send me an email, I have a couple left. Yeah, even if you're some random person, you can send me your address! Lol. No, please don't.