Today's weather was perfect for an excursion to the island of Miyajima, near Hiroshima. It is accessible by train then ferry. There are tamed deer, seagulls and herons greeting you upon arrival, and if the season permits, a climb near the summit would also take you to the monkeys... but I stayed close to the shore and visited the impressive O-torii gate at low tide and upclose because by noon it and the shrine of Itsukushima and the bay between them were engulfed by the high tide.
A second shrine was the one entitled "A thousand tatami"s because it is so big. It remains incomplete but is interesting to visit nonetheless.
My favourite temple on the island (and probably the last one I will be visiting on this trip) remains the Daisho-in temple where I saw many mini-buddhas -- some adorning hats and scarves to protect them from the cold; a golden reclining buddha and a cavern illuminated by hundreds of lanterns.
A swell trip!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
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