27.8.2018 - Day 12

Today was a grand trip. We started early in the morning going to Hiroshima, but our goal was not the peace memorial, but Myajima island and its shrine. This was our second stop on tour of three views of Japan. Immediately after arriving local deer showed up and Zelma was in haven taking pictures. For me it was first time that I saw the grand gate of Itsukushima shrine with a lot of water so that boats could go through. I was quiet surprise that there were boats passing through. Sadly when we reached the shrine the tide was going out, so I couldn’t see it in its full glory. We enjoyed the shrine and I bought a lucky charm, the same one I bought in 2015 when I was last time here.

After the shrine we went on the ropeway and ride it to the top of Shishiiwa at 433 meters above the sea. From there we got a great view of the inland sea. To highlight just two islands that were visible. First Nasamijima island is a private island that is uninhabited and is surrounded by oyster farms, oysters are Hiroshima specialty. Second is large Nomija island which used to house Imperial Naval Academy, which was reorganized into naval academy for the Japanese Self-defense Forces.

There was an option to go to Myajima’s highest peak, mount Misen, with shrines and temples along the way. Fun fact Kukai was here and performed great meditation which gave resulted in the creation of eternal flame, which was later used to create the peace fire of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

After coming down we decided to push onward and went to Iwakuni. In Iwakuni we went to the famous Kintaikyo bridge, which is a tradition wooden arch bridge. It was super beautiful. There were many other museums, attractions and Iwakuni-jo castle on the hill, but it was already late so we continued and went to Shin-Iwakuni station to catch a Shinkansen to Kobe. It was a cute little station and we ride in Rail Start Shinkansen which is the predecessor to the current N700 series Shinkansen which dominate eastern Japan.

Arriving late in Kobe we went straight to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens ropeway to go for one of the three night views of Japan. The ride was great as the city quickly opened before us and we could see all the way to Osaka. The ride was even more fun for me as Zelma has problems with ropeways. At the top we got a amazing night view and got to explore the opened parts of the herb gardens. I would put this to great curiosity and romantic spots (especially when the rest of the gardens are open). A place to come again in the future. Since it was already past 8pm we didn’t go into the city, but instead caught a late Shinkansen back to Kyoto.