Day 7 - Miyajima

 . . . . . who needs a car when the trains run on time??


Another early start for us today.  We are off to Miyajima and I'm really excited about it.  Scott and I had decided that we would try to do different things to last year, but when we went to Miyajima last year, the weather was awful and we had to cut the visit short.  We were hoping it would be better today and we'd get to see the rest of the Island.  Anyway - I loved the island the first time and really wanted to go back.


However, as mentioned  . . .  it's an early start today as it's going to take about 3.5 hours to get to Miyajima.  We will be giving our JR Passes a damn good bashing today as to get to Miyajima we need to get . . . 

• A bus to Kyoto Station
• A train to Shin-Oska station
• A train to Hiroshima Station
• A train to Miyajimguchi
• A ferry to Miyajima

Phew!  And the first part of this was done during commuter hours . . . . Kyoto station was heaving!  We just used a Local train to get to Shin-Osaka and it was fill to bursting point with people going to work and kids going to school.  The journey to Shin-Osaka would only take about 25 minutes and then it was a jump onto the Shinkansen to Hiroshima.  This part of the journey would take about 90 minutes.  Another train to Miyajimaguchi which takes about 15 minutes then onto the ferry for about 15 minutes.


Finally we made it Miyajima and the sun was shining brightly (though it did try to rain, but that went away really quickly).  

The first glimpse of the Torii Gate from the ferry

By the time we got there it was low tide, so the first thing we did was go straight to the Itsukushima Shrine as we would be able to walk right out and touch it . . . 

As we walked towards the Shrine, Scott noticed there were LOADS of coins in the sand and a load of coins attached to the Shrine (tucked in between the barnacles).  It amazing that the money just stays there and no-one is there waiting for low tide to nick it!!  We wandered round the gate for ages, and noticed there were a lot of people by the water line digging . . . . Scott wandered over to have a look and they were digging for mussels . . . . there were a LOT of people doing this!!!

Now we walked up to the Shrine as we could now walk round it (and not pay to get in!!!) and get a good look 

 

There are a lot of walking trails and parks on Miyajima and we had planned on going to Mount Misen and having a ride on the Cable car, but it windy and the cloud was very low, so we couldn't even see the top of the mountain.  We made the decision that if we couldn't see the top, then we wouldn't get any decent views from the top . . . . so we stayed a sea level!


Instead we walked round to Omoto Park and sat under the Cherry Blossoms . . .  yes, the Cherry Blossoms are starting to make an appearance - whoo hoo!!!

 Oh - and if we didn't get enough of deer at Nara yesterday . . . Miyajima is full of wild deer, but you can't feed these ones - but that doesn't stop the deer begging for food!!!

There is an Aquarium on Miyajima . . . .  we didn't go in - but this statue was outside of it (you make up your own mind about it . . . . but I'm sure it's innocent!!)

We are now starting to get peckish and Scott had already spotted something he would like to try, so we went into a restaurant for food and water.  I had Udon Noodle Soup with Tempura and Scott had . . .  wait for it . . .  . eel stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon!  Hmmm!!!  He did let me have a bit, and to be honest it was very nice!  However my Udon Noodle Soup was much nicer!


Another walk round the trails and stop off in parks to look at the Cherry Blossoms . . .   then it was a trip to the souvenir streets.  Last year - when it seem like only Scott and I were on the island, there were only a few shops and restaurants open . . .  today, however there were millions of shops and restaurants open and even a few stalls selling food.  As Scott had only eaten eel with bacon for lunch, he stopped by one of the stalls and had Beef Yakatori . . . basically chucks of beef on a stick.  His dream!!!!


We went into a couple of shops and I immediately fell in love with two Kokeshi dolls.  I bought one because she is bright orange and has the Miyajima leaf on her kimono, but there was a bigger one that was a lot more expensive, so I left her behind.  However, as we made our way down the street she got cheaper . .  . so I ended up getting her as well (oops!!).  So now I have two more Kokeshi dolls to find homes for (I'm sure I'll squeeze them in somewhere . .  and I'm sure I'll buy a couple more before we leave!!!)

Random cute photo . . . from the Hello Kitty shop. 


One of the shops serves cups of green tea and you can sit on benches and look out over her Japanese garden in the back of the shop!  We saw this last year - but we are sure the carp have got much bigger since then . . . 

This is the garden Scott wants so he can keep his Zen in check!


Time was ticking on and we knew we had a long journey home, so we started to make our way back to the Ferry Port.  We fell quite lucky as we managed to get on the ferry straight away . . .  then onto the next couple of trains.  We only waited about 15 minutes for the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka but it was pretty full - but the trains are huge so getting a seat isn't too bad.


We made it back to Shin-Osaka . . now all we need to do is get back to Kyoto - just one more train to go!!!


These JR Passes we have allow us to travel on the Shinkasen (Sakura and Hakari), but not the Nozomi (the big brother of bullet trains - these are the mega fast ones).  


As we got off at Shin-Osaka, we noticed there was a Shinkansen on the platform going to Tokyo but it would stop at Kyoto . . . so we hopped on (can you see where I'm going with this???)  Oh yes - we got on a Nozomi - oops!!  The Conductor came round to check our tickets and tried to explain to Scott very carefully that we were naughty boys and girls and shouldn't be on this train . . . but as we were only going one stop - he let us off - phew!!  


However, we can now say we have been on a real life 'proper' bullet train - even if it was only for 10 minutes haha!  Bearing in mind - the journey from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka this morning took about 25 minutes - the Nozomi is really fast.

 The train we shouldn't have been on!!!

I have to say at this point, that we have used a lot of public transport today and each bus and train (and ferry) have been absolutely spot on time - they arrive on time and leave on time to the second.  All the trains and buses are clean (and the loos on the Shinkansen are immaculate).  I would use public transport all the time if it was like this at home.

We came out of Kyoto station to the sound of bouncing rain . . . . it's now been raining really heavily for the past two hours, and when you live in a wooden house - it's very LOUD!!!

So - we've had a busy/tiring couple of days . . . so tomorrow - our last full day in Kyoto :-( - will be fairly quiet and a bit more relaxed.  We are going to stay in Kyoto and visit Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace Gardens and then spend the evening in Gion trying to get a last glimpse of a Geisha!!!

I have added a new feature to my blog . . .  after the success of coconut M&M's last night, I'm planning to blog each night with a different pack of sweeties!!!  So - today's blog has been brought to you by the power of 'Galbo Mini'.  A strawberry/chocolate sweet that may have looked a bit odd . . .  but tasted delish!  

There were no calories on the packet, but there were only half dozen sweets in the bag - and I gave one to Scott . .  . so I think I've walked these ones off today!!!!

Until tomorrow . . . love n hugs xxx