4 March Miyajima - Shrines and Deer

I hadn't truly appreciated Hiroshima districts affinity to deer until visiting Miyajima today. These are another type of barrier used for road works, which we had thought were a late Christmas decoration as they were lit up on our arrival the other evening 😄.

A paper crane manhole cover spotted near Hiroshima station this morning.

After a 40 minutes train journey west from Hiroshima we then took the 10 minute ferry crossing to the island of Itsukushima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine and O-Torii gate. They are the only ones in Japan built where the tide rises and falls beneath them. 

We made sure we sat on the right hand side of the ferry to get the best view of the O-Torii gate as we approached the island. At 16m it's a pretty striking sight as you approach the island. I was impressed that we'd timed our arrival at high tide, so it appears to float on the Seto Inland Sea. If we'd come at low tide we could've walked to it but I think being in the water made it more picturesque. 

Originally built in 593, the gate is made out of decay-resistant camphor wood and rests on the seabed by its own 60-ton weight.

All over the island there are deer roaming. This is why deer are a symbol of the Hiroshima area.

Sometimes they can cause havoc when trying to get into the local shops!

Getting that floating on water pic.

Our first pagoda. Unfortunately the 5 storey one was surrounded by scaffolding as it's being renovated.

Itsukushima is covered with shrines. Some involve a significant amount of step climbing to see them.

Someone's been busy making little hats for the small budda statues.

A Hiroshima delicacy, along with oysters, are maple filled sponges with different fillings. We tried chocolate, peach and red bean - all yummy. Sometimes they're deep fried as well but I preferred the sponge ones.

Back in Hiroshima for early dinner we tried out another Hiroshima dish. Most restaurants cater for small numbers of people - the other night could seat about 8, this one had seating for 16. The difference with this one was that our food was prepared in front of us. 

It starts with batter being baked in a circle shape, topped with a mound of shredded cabbage, seasonings and bacon.

A portion of noodles was then added next to it.

The bacon heap was flipped over for the bacon to cook - the batter now a pancake on top.

The pancake pile was placed on top of the noodles.

This was then topped with a cooked egg and a fruit, chutney sort of sauce. We thought it tasted like the sauce you get with crispy aromatic duck.

There were also different toppings available like cheese and yam! As you can see it's served in front of you on the hot plate. You then use a small bladed shovel to cut and serve yourself small portions which you eat with chopsticks. We're getting quite proficient now.

This evening we are taking the Shinkansen to Osaka to our next base. I'm currently writing this on the train so tomorrow's blog will update you on our arrival.