Day 7 - Nagasaki to Miyajima

A 3 leg train trip today, 2 by Shinkasen via Hakata and Hiroshima and finally a commuter train to Miyajima-guchi and ferry to the island. The approach to the island is a bit like the trip across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. But the approach is dominated by the Otorii gate which is one of the sights of the island. This massive wood structure is made from tree trunks but is not anchored in the seabed but just sits on the sand held there by its own weight. There has been a shrine complex here for over 600 years and the gate has been replaced many times in that period. It is an imposing sight rising from the water with the shrine buildings behind it.

Our hotel is very traditional Japanese. The rooms are pretty bare with flooring of tatami mats. The beds were put out after we arrived, these being futon style with hard pillows (not wooden but filled with beads a bit like a small beanbag. Very comfortable actually) Our room has a little reception area with a low table and 'Chairs' (actually just chairback without legs) you sat on a cushion on the floor and leant on these. Being traditional you took your shoes off before entering the room. The supplied a small rack of flipflops to put on if you needed to leave your room and go to the resturant. These seemed to only go up to (roughly) size 8 no good for my size 11 plates.

Went for a walk after we arrived. It was really hot so Simon to advantage of the sea and went for a paddle. The Japanese dont seem to do beach like the english. If this had been England the little patch of sand would have been packed, as it was Simon had it to himself whilst packs of giggling schoolkids went past on trips to the temple.

We had dinner in the Hotel, seated cross legged on a platform at the side of the room. Again you removed you shoes before stepping onto platform. It was all part of the ambience however, sitting cross legged on the floor for over an hour nearly crippled me.