Thanksgiving at Miyajima Island

We decided to spend Thanksgiving at Miyajima Island. It's only about a 15 minute local train ride from Iwakuni. Once you get off the train, you simply walk a couple of blocks down to the ferry station and take the ferry to the island. We ate fresh oysters that Miyajima is famous for. They’ve just come in season here since the water has cooled off.

Guess who these seats on the train are reserved for? 

View of the sea from the train. 

Walking down from the train station to the ferry station. The glass booth on the right is an elevator that goes down under the street so you can cross Highway 2 - a very busy street. This tunnel is lined with marble walls and beautiful artwork. Beautiful as well as functional. 

Statue in front of the ferry station. 

There it goes, but another will be along in 15 more minutes. 

We decided to kill time in a local bakery. 

A picture telling a story about Miyajima Island. 

We board the ferry. 

Looking back toward Miyajimaguchi and Ono where our friend Hiroshi lives, high on the hill. 

Passing another ferry. 

Approaching the famous "floating" Torii gates of Miyajima Island. 

Stan's enjoying the first of our stops for fresh oysters. The orange bikes are the ones we rented for our travel this day. They are battery-assisted, and this is a great way to travel since the terrain tends to be a little hilly in places. 

He's holding up a huge oyster shell and you can see down the narrow, covered shopping street. 

Part of our Thanksgiving meal. 

Yum! My favorite!

Our chef is cooking the oysters in their own shell over an hibachi. Fried oysters are in the case on the left side, and of course, the famous Asahi beer on a stick. (for Steph) 

Our second meal stop. Here we enjoyed the breaded, fried oysters on a stick. He was also serving corn on a stick, as well as several other kinds of fresh seafood. 

Margie in front of a beautiful pond with huge koi and surrounded by autumn trees. 

Miyajima is also famous for their beautiful trees in the fall, and there were many people enjoying the view and taking pictures. 

Stan on a bridge overlooking a small stream. 

Oh, there you are! 

Another Torii gate and lanterns to the right side. 

More lanterns along the seashore. At night, these are lit and they are electric, but you cannot see any wires. They are hidden. 

"Handicapped" deer? There are many deer here. They are considered a national treasure on Miyajima Island. 

A small girl sitting on a bench near the seawall in front of the floating Torii gate. The tide is coming in.