The best of traditions and modernity – Japan in 25 days

Stop 9 – Miyajima, Japan. Visited 16th October 2024

After a serious day in Hiroshima, I made a day trip to Miyajima island, the train ride and ferry took about 1-2 hours.   

As soon we disembarked from the ferry, everyone headed to the Grad Torii Shrine Gate, its legs in the water. Next to it on the shore is the Itsukushima Shrine, distinct from other shrines because it is next to the sea; some of the structures are on the beach and above the water.

As the morning progressed, the crowd started to throng the island, including uniformed students and visitors. Deer, like those in Nara, were also there to welcome and mingle with visitors. As I took out my breakfast snack, one of them snatched it from behind me. It snorted and tried to charge me with its spiky horns when I tried to retrieve it. In the background, I heard chuckles, giggles, and astonishment. Many quickly took the instant photoshoots. When the drama ended, a lady asked me to pick up the discarded stolen goods in the rubbish bin. My pride was insulted – I shouldn’t have tempted her.

Daiso-in Temple is up the hills near the shrine. It consists of a few buildings, nestled amid well-nourished trees and shrubs, on hillside and at the foothill – the perfect pristine place to seek enlightenment.

From the entrance of this temple, I started my hike to the top of Mount Misen. It took quite an effort but assisted, by well-laid steps. At the top, the gorgeous views of the sea and Hiroshima city spread across the horizon.   

Back at the foothill, the Daigan-ji Temple and Itsukushima Jinja Pagoda awaited, of contrasting styles and colors but both magnificent.

Miyajima produces 60% of Japan’s oysters, so relishing Miyajima is incomplete without trying the oysters. Before I took the ferry back to Hiroshima, I sat down to enjoy an oyster rice bowl. What a life – the world is my oysters!

Miyajima was the final stop of my 25-day journey through Japan. This country stretched my imagination and defied realism.

How they move forward as one – everyone plays their part, and everyone takes responsibility.

They love their environment. Rubbish bins on the streets are rare, yet litter is equally rare. Talking on the phone in the subways is not the locals. Everywhere there is a tranquil garden.

Public toilets are warmed electronically even when not wintry – please have a seat. Toilets are everywhere and free of charge; they really do not want you to pee like a dog. In Japan, human dignity and cleanliness are important to them.

They do not like showy displays to attract attention. They carry their young children on the front and back seats of their bicycles, and they dress modestly – how they try to keep everything simple and humble.

Everyone is helpful, welcoming and always smiley, almost apologetic for not being more friendly.

This is the land of convenient food and vending machines. Yet, everything tastes good and is prepared with craftsmanship. There is no bad food in Japan, only my bad taste.

Everything they do, no matter how simple, they do it with the utmost attention to detail and finesse.

They hold on to their traditions dearly, yet progress to the front of the pack.

Japan is what a decent country looks like.

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Click the link below to start from Stop 1:

The best of traditions and modernity – 25 days in Japan

Itinerary: Tokyo>Nikko>Hakone>Kyoto>Osaka>Nara>Himeji>Hiroshima>Miyajima