Cute picture on my Japanese calendar for November . . .

Veteran's Day Trip to Miyajima Island 11/11/10

Today is Veteran's Day (Happy Veteran's Day Stan and all Veterans!) It's an American holiday, so we've decided to go to Miyajima Island for oysters and autumn leaves viewing. We're driving over the river bridge that leads into downtown Iwakuni & we'll turn right onto Rte 2 to head toward Miyajima (and Hiroshima beyond). To our left & below this road is the pedestrian bridge that we usually ride our bikes over. If you're a regular reader, you've seen pictures from that perspective of this bridge . . .


Pretty entranceway to someone's house.


Not as many cars today - since it's mid-morning on a Thursday - work day in Japan.

As we cross a bridge, we see a freight train on another bridge over this river.


Much of this trip to Miyajima is along the sea - and there are a few boats out today.


Going into a tunnel.


And coming out.


Oh there's Zizo - the big yellow building - a great Italian restaurant where we haven't been in a while. Maybe we can stop there for dinner on our way home???

Houses on the other side of the local JR train line back right up to the tracks.


Still don't know what these huge flowers are, but I see them everywhere this time of year.


The train is a faster way to travel to Miyajima, but we're taking our bikes in our car today. It's a much easier way for me to get around once we arrive on the island. And bikes are MUCH cheaper to take on the ferry than cars. There's really no need for a car on Miyajima anyway - very limited parking.


Only about 15 or so km from Iwakuni on Route 2 toward Hiroshima, and we see the sign to turn off for Miyajima.


After we park, we get on our bikes. I'm under a replica of the famous Miyajima torii gate at the ferry landing.

Stan's bought our ferry tickets at the station, but look at the lockers to his left. They're covered with a photograph of the ferry on the sea!


We have enough time to stop at our favorite bakery for coffee & a sweet before our ferry leaves. They run about every 30 minutes.


Our coffees and sweet rolls. I'm also putting fresh batteries in my camera.


But there are lots of choices here. It's hard to only buy one, but with all the deer on Miyajima Island, it's best NOT to carry any food with us!


Margie (me!) enjoying a late morning treat!

We've ridden onto the ferry & parked our bikes on the first level (where cars ride, but there aren't any today), as other passengers walk on. Taking a car to Miyajima Island is quite expensive, so there are seldom any.


Looking out the front of our ferry as we start the short trip to Miyajima Island.


Beautiful shades of blue in the layered mountains of Miyajima Island up ahead.


Looking back at the Miyajima-guchi ferry landing.


Famous oyster beds of Miyajima out in the Seto Inland Sea.

View of the floating torii gate from our ferry.


Closer view shows a small boat directly underneath, as well as brightly colored trees on the hillside.


We've landed and see our first deer. They roam freely all over Miyajima Island. This one (as most do) has his antlers cut off. The deer were Holly's favorite thing when she visited us in Japan in 2005.


See this shop - Doctor Fish? I've heard about it but it's very crowded today. Those are schoolgirls in uniforms.

Closer view of the "live fish pedicure" available here. Since it was very crowded today, I decided not to have one. Maybe another day . . . I could, however, hear a lady giggling loudly from inside while her feet were being nibbled . . .


Yummy-looking plastic food in a restaurant window. But we prefer to just eat at booths while we sightsee.


Three happy bricks and one happy flower pot.


Stan in line at our favorite oyster booth. It's lunchtime!


Looking down the covered shopping street.

Perfectly balanced lunch: 2 roasted oysters & a cold Kirin beer! But I did have another plate of oysters . . .


New this year: crumb-covered fried oyster in cream sauce - delicious! But one of these is enough.


Margie - Kampai! (Cheers!)


A little deer has come over to the booth where we buy our oysters & just seems to be waiting.


He looks over at me (I'm sitting on the steps of a closed building eating) but I firmly tell him I have nothing for him! These deer are protected and honored, so all you can do is talk to them . . .

The lady who works inside, opens that small door & puts food on the ground for him . . . now I know what he's been waiting for!


Across the street from a small police station (called Police Box). Look at the cute little police car out front.


Stan under autumn leaves on the covered shopping street.


I love watching the automated equipment making these famous little cakes.


Back out near the sea, there seem to be boat ride available now - I think that's something new since the last time we visited Miyajima Island.

Motorcycle travelers at rest. Wonder from how far away they have come?


Unusual perspective of the giant stone torii gate. This is where we met our friend Hiroshi the first time back in November of 2004!


Man raking the dirt with a bamboo rake.


He leaves straight lines and footsteps behind him.


Beautiful view of the famous Miyajima Floating Torii Gate from the shoreline. Read more RIGHT HERE!

Riding near the edge of the sea, looking at the rows of stone lanterns and pine trees.


A large stone lantern with up-tipped "roof" like the pagoda.


Stone foo dog stands in protection.


Stan in front of a very unusually-shaped, supported palm tree. Japanese make every effort to save a tree . . .


We were surprised by this raccoon snooping around. We'd never seen one here before.

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