Japan and Bali

[CeaBee]

Re: Japan and Bali

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seemiyah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just so you know, we still here and following along... </div></div>

and as soon as u come interrupt her train of thought she stop post

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seemiyah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just so you know, we still here and following along... </div></div>

Hey seemiyah, I'm glad you posted . It was starting to feel a little lonely in here. But I'm more than half way through the report now, Bali soon come

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CeaBee</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seemiyah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just so you know, we still here and following along... </div></div>

and as soon as u come interrupt her train of thought she stop post </div></div>

no man, no interruption, I was actually sneaking a post between a couple of appointments ...

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Day 13: Kyoto to Miyajima

I was so happy to be leaving Kyoto this morning. Not that I didn't like the city--I hadn't even begun to explore it. But I was starting to feel really cooped up and stifled in the urban environment, kinda rat-in-a-cage-ish. I really wanted some nature.

The morning wasn't without its drama. I checked out of the hotel at 4:30 am so I could make it to Kyoto station for the 5:02am shinkansen to Hiroshima. The JR shinkansen gate was closed when I got there, and a policeman told me it would open at 5:40 am. Then another helpful gentleman told me the first shinkansen out of Kyoto was at 7:45 am, which would really mess up my plans. Long story short, turns out that first I had to take a local JR train to Shin-Osaka station, and from there I could get one of the earlier shinkansens to Hiroshima. So without too much more fuss, I was on my way to the Inland Sea. This time I remembered to request a window seat.

My single window seat, and the essentials for breakfast



The day started out overcast and incredibly hazy, and it never really cleared up for all the time I was on Miyajima. Consequently I was kind of cheated out of the usually stunning views of the Inland Sea.

On the way to Hiroshima











We arrived at Hiroshima station about 90 minutes later. I transferred to the local JR Sanyo line and headed for Miyajima-guchi where I could catch the JR ferry to Miyajima. By about 10 am I was at the ferry terminal on Miyajima, calling my hotel for a pick-up.

The coast appears...and it's still hazy



On the JR ferry heading for Miyajima

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

I had high expectations for Hotel Iwaso. It came highly recommended in the Lonely Planet guidebook: a little pricey, but worth the extra pennies. When the shuttle dropped me in the courtyard of that ryokan and I looked over the left and I saw honest to goodness BUSH (not carefully landscaped Japanese garden, but actual trees and woodland, and a small river!), I was like . Thank you Lord, something was EXACTLY as promised.


Check-in was 3pm, so I dumped my bags and started out for the Miyajima Ropeway on foot. Ok, to absolutely truthfully, I had initially entertained this foolish little idea that I would HIKE up Mt Misen (535m), the highest point on Miyajima. See, there are several hiking trails up to the peak and one of them--the Momijidani course--just happened to begin very close to my hotel. And I'm a somewhat fit, healthy woman in her twenties, I had four hours to kill, and I LOVE walking, so why not? Ha! I set off with my backpack, water and camera, strolling through Momijidani park. Initially it was a nice walk, not too challenging, not much of a gradient yet.



The little river (stream?) and cascade by Hotel Iwaso



More tame, sacred deer



I went to pay my respects at the shrine at the top

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Then I reached the first climb, a steep little section just after the exit from Momijidani park. On the left was the sign for the Ropeway, on the right the Momijidani course continued. I turned Left.

So another visitor saw me sweating my asterisk off, huffing and puffing up the hill to the Ropeway, and asked me if I was planning to hike up to the peak. I said, no, I was reconsidering that plan, but I would probably hike down. He said &quot;yeah, I think that might be better for you.&quot; But I couldn't ignore the truth: 5 minutes on the course had kicked my butt. Ah well. At least the Ropeway was a lovely ride to the top.

at &quot;wait in quiet&quot;. If only. With my fear of heights I would probably need to be tranquilized if there were an &quot;electric stoppage&quot;



Too hazy to get any good views. I imagined that on a clear summer day it would be stunning







The first funicular dumped us out at Kayatani sation 367m up, and we transferred to another to take us to Shishiiwa sation (445m) where we would then hike another 30 minutes to Mt Misen's peak. Apparently there are some primates living on Mt. Misen, and we were given ample warnings about them





My favourite...



What a view this would be on a clear day!

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Between Shishiiwa and Mt Misen summit. That short trail was an assterisk buster as well!



Mt Misen is ancient and holy. There are several temples and shrines scattered around its peak. Plus, along the trails, there were numerous stone statuettes of buddhist (and/or Shinto?) deities.

Again: the view that could have been



Misen Main Hall (partial view): someone attained enlightenment here back in 806 (no I'm not missing a '1')



Bodhisattvas



At the top lies Sanki-Do Hall; I read that good goblins (who protect humans) like to gather there



I wasn't sure of the exact significance of stacking the stones, but I think it is part of the worship of these deities. I really need to Wikipedia this stuff.



Who, me vain? I prefer to call it positively self-inclined

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Still more walking...







Looking back at where I started out



Summited!

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Continuing on to Dainichi-Do Hall (and thence to the Omoto trail)



Kanman-Iwa, which is said to flow salt water out of the stone basin at high tide. Conveniently, it was low tide while I was hiking.




Dainichi-Do Hall (partial view)

[Gen]

Re: Japan and Bali

still reading

[Marielle]

Re: Japan and Bali

Yea, me too!

This trip report is so amazing, I feel I am in Japan as an &quot;armchair
traveller&quot;!!

[JAmerican Ooman]

Re: Japan and Bali

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Hey everyone who is still following along

It's been a stressed and busy few days because I'm moving, and packing is always fun

But the good news is that I'm making a push to finish this off by the end of the week, before my internet service is disconnected.

So wish me luck

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Followed the signs to Miyama Jinja shrine. Unfortunately it's spectacular view of the Inland Sea was hazed out.

To purify yourself before approaching the shrine



Steps leading up



Stone basin. More purification?


The Shrine

[lapassionata]

Re: Japan and Bali

Being an overachiever, I decided to descend Mt Misen via the Omoto course. Descent implies going DOWN, so I thought I could safely assume a gentle one to two-hour amble DOWNWARD. Ha! I knew I was in trouble after the first hundred metres when I found myself on a steep UPWARD trail heading for Komagabayashi Peak. My backpack went from a manageable five pounds or so to feeling like ten tonnes. But I'm stubborn, I really don't like to give up too soon. And I had already chickened out of the hike up Mt Misen, so I grit my teeth and set to it. I'm glad I was stubborn, because even though at the end of the course my legs were jelly, and my dogs were barking--so to speak--I count it as one of the best experiences of the entire trip.

Just before the descent



So much confidence..but pride goeth before a fall...



I was utterly, amazingly, wonderfully alone for all of my descent. I never once felt unsafe...the kami of the forest would protect me...





Taking a rest break, and looking back up the path



The trail's steps were slippery, my sneakers couldn't get good traction and I was praying not to take a tumble down some of the steeper parts of the trail. But one moment of inattention and I ended up with a dirty bum and a deep gouge in my right palm.

One of the &quot;choseki&quot; which are stone milestones left on Miyajima centuries ago. This one reads &quot;15th cho&quot;



Now the trail is leveling off and following a river on the left



Omoto Park at the end of the course. 3.4 km in just under two hours. But boy did I pay for it later!



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