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In front of us is a cute tour bus and a car that's a Cube - oh this is the first time I've noticed the "3" above the name - too cute!
Wow - look at this amazing sky today as we drive along the Seto Inland Sea. Wow!
This little old man (on a rascal-type scooter) is cleaning up trash alongside the road near the RR track.
There's the hotel where we stayed for Christmas a few years ago! Great location and very nice.
A tree loaded down with kaki (persimmons) which are abundant right now. I LOVE them - so sweet and delicious!
And pink & white cosmos are still blooming in front of this beautiful garden. They've been blooming since late summer.
Wow - heavy vehicle traffic as we approach Miyajima. Guess we're not the only ones going to Miyajima today . . . ? And we soon found out the large parking lot was FULL! We had to park VERY far away, but parking attendants guided us every step of the way and we soon found a place - a very small place, but our car is easy to park. Then all we had to do was follow the walking crowd down the street, into a tunnel under the tracks, and viola! we arrived out front of Miyajimaguchi Station! Cool . . .
As we ride our bikes toward the ferry, we see there are boat races going on today. Good place to wait for the next ferry.
And there's our ferry - we never have to wait very long for the "next" one . . .
Margie enjoying the warm sun on the ferry - on my new bike! Stan wanted to be SURE that you notice the wood block that the ferry worker placed under my front wheel! But I've also locked the wheels to be sure . . .
We decided to walk up to the deck level, but Stan is a bit too tall for the stairway. He just about lost his hat right here . . .
Upstairs, looking down at our bikes. There were only a few cars & trucks riding with us.
Passing the other ferry. I'm really glad we're on this one - much less crowded since it's mostly cars & business trucks. Most pedestrians take the other one because it's a straight walk down from the JR station . . . but this one is closer to where we parked our car.
A few of the oyster rafts out in the sea . . .
On the island now & Stan heads for the "stuff on a stick" booth for corn. Oops, didn't notice the squid growing out of his head . . . hmmm.
He's trying to eat it, but these deer really want it more and are nibbling at him. Yeah, like they're hungry . . . but they are "National Treasures" and are protected here, so they win.
Meanwhile, the majestic floating torii sits patiently in the harbor - and the tide is in! It's usually out when we're here. It's really prettier when it's "floating" . . .
One of these days we'll have to take that boat ride . . . I think that's relatively new.
And the gigantic stone torii where we first met Hiroshi-san when son Larry & family were visiting almost exactly 7 years ago! Wow - how time flies . . .
Near our roasted in the shell favorite oyster stand. It's very crowded today! See the cute cocker spaniel in a stroller?
YIKES! Stan shows me where one of the deer "nibbled" his belly!
More dogs & their strollers . . .
OK - so we're going to try again for more corn . . . but we still had to give it to the hungry deer!
Little girl happily playing in the sand near my bike. That pinwheel was Grandson Andy's favorite toy when about that same age & visited here in 2004!
Beautiful children dressed in kimono for Seven Five Three ceremony - "Shichi-go-san 七五三 On November 15 each year, children aged seven, five, and three don their finest traditional garb and visit their local shrines to be blessed. Special Shintō rites are performed to formally welcome girls (age 3) and boys (age 5) into the community. Girls (age 7) are welcomed into womanhood and allowed to wear the obi (decorative sash worn with kimono)."
Stan next to the "8 min walk, but 6 if you run a little to Ropeway Stn" sign that's near the orange bridge. This just cracks me up! We decided to walk up & maybe ride to the top of the mountain today in the ropeway car . . . We've never been to the top of Mt Misen and the view is said to be spectacular!
About half-way up is a rest area & tea house with koi pond & waterfall. Beautiful and not too difficult a walk . . . so far.
Love the koi! They always remind me of our pond we left at our former house in AL. I often wonder if they survived after we moved away . . .
Walking through the rest area and continuing up the hill. This is a popular place!
Children playing around the large rocks.
Another waterfall. Japan's mountains are filled with fresh spring water.
Entrance to the ropeway area. Yikes! It's VERY crowded because of autumn viewing, so although we've walked all the way up, we decided to wait until another day when it's less crowded. . . This is the place you can take a fork to the right, and just hike the rest of the way to the top of the mountain! But that's not in my future. We also found out that we "could have" taken a free shuttle bus from down below to this location. Oh, well, maybe we'll do that NEXT time!
Beautiful autumn leaves.
Man-made canal for spring water coming down the mountain. The sound of the water is so serene and relaxing.
Entrance to a little Shinto Shrine up the stairs. Now you see me . . .
Now you don't! Beautiful trees & a bright orange torii at the top . . .
Wow . . . many leaves are already gone, but some really bright ones still remain.
We've walked back down to the bright orange bridge. After we crossed, we decided to take the walkway alongside the left side (near where we parked our bikes) to see where it goes. As many times as we've been here, we've never gone this direction before.
Our bikes are patiently waiting near a stone lantern.
There are beautiful homes/cabins for rent, maybe? up above the river here. Oh - I could live here . . .
Beautiful maple leaves that Miyajima is famous for.
Lady in flowing pants walking on stepping stones in the river.
Another stone lantern along the walkway.
One perfect autumn leaf.
And another waterfall. It's very peaceful here.
All kinds of interesting sculptures and areas here.
This sign talks about a "Gourd Terrace" - never knew this was here! Thanks, Stan for being adventurous and finding this!
Wow - click & read these "rules" for working on the grounds at Miyajima! Our friend Hiroshi-san volunteers here & he's told us about their VERY strict rules for what they can and can't do . . .
Here's the gourd monument.
And stone staircases lead up to every building alongside this river walk.
Japanese characters carved on a large stone.
Two cedars that have one shared trunk.
Stan in the middle of the riverbed. Of course.
I love the design of the footbridge he was standing on!
More autumn colors.
Pond near the entrance to the bridge.
Back on the shopping street, we're greeted by a vendor selling roasted chestnuts - yum - smells like autumn!
Oh - look how the late afternoon sun is shining on the pagoda looming over the shopping area!
Time for a break, so we're in our favorite coffee house now. Stan's favorite - apple-caramel cake. Because it's Autumn, it's decorated with tiny Japanese maple leaves - cute!
And for me, you can't beat the tiramisu & iced coffee!
Two drip coffees awaiting hot water . . .
Back out on the street, we can either go down the hill through the tunnel or up the stairs for the view.
We decided on up & I'm looking down on the coffee shop - right on the left corner where a tourist group is headed our way.
Margie behind a large stone lantern at the top.
And Stan is enjoying the view of the Seto Inland Sea beyond the rooftops.
The sun is lighting up the apartment buildings at Ajina (I think) and a ferry . . . beautiful!
Sun behind the bright orange pagoda, still higher up the hill above us.
And another deer. Notice that his/her? horns are cut to prevent injury to visitors.
Back in the shopping area, this lady is showing off a pretty parasol outside the 1050 Yen Shop. We should have gone in, but it was VERY crowded on the shopping streets & we were on our bikes.
A lady sorting famous Miyajima oysters outside a shop.
Back near the ferry landing, there's a relief display of the island - cool! Stan's checking to see when the last ferry returns to the mainland - so we won't miss it!
The sun is setting quickly behind the mountain.
Look at this cute electric car!
We have more time, so we decide to have dinner at a restaurant that Hiroshi-san has taken us to a couple of times before. It's right near the ferry landing and it's VERY nice.
Lots of yummy-looking plastic food in the window . . .
I decided on au gratin oysters - unbelievably delicious! I chose wisely . . .
And Stan always loves stuff in a hot pot: oysters, mushrooms & other winter veggies. He also chose wisely . . .
He's very excited & we're both hungry!
One of the mushrooms has a maple leaf design cut into the top!
This lovely lady is the proprietor of the restaurant, and although we had not been here for several years, she remembered us! And of course she remembers Hiroshi-san!
One last view of the famous Miyajima torii as we get on our ferry to return.
And approaching the mainland after our quick ferry ride. Another perfect day . . .
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1 comment:
My first time we went to the island, they sold food to feed the deer. The 2nd time, there were signs saying not to feed the deer. We saw them take things out of the stores. My daughter was sad for them.
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