Miyajima, in Hiroshima

Itsukushima shrine in Miyajima is a World Heritage of UNESCO.  Some of my friends from other country came to see Miyajima. However, I've never visited. This time, as I went to Hiroshima University on Thursday and Friday, I decided to stay one more day in Hiroshima. From Hiroshima station, Miyajima is only 30 minutes by train. Then, I took a ferry from Miyajima-guchi to Miyajima.

Approaching to Miyajima

When the ferry approaching the Miyajima, it was hazy. So the gate of the Itsukushima shrine "Oh Torii" (Big Gate), was hard to recognize.

Welcome lady at the port

I arrived at the port of Miyajima. There, welcome ladies were distributing the map of this island. They wear traditional costume of this region. So cute!

Deer

Also deers welcome us around the port. They are not wild anymore because people feed them. So they come to see us or ask us for the food.

Oh-Torii from Miyajima side

After ten minutes walking, I could arrive at the Shrine. At first, we can find the Oh-Torii.

Oh-Torii and sweet couple deers.

I found sweet couples there. How I envy them! I wanted to come here with my boyfriend...

Shrine at the coast of Miyajima

 Anyway, Itsukushima shrine is at the coast of Miyajima. This is why the gate is in the water. Sometimes the shrine itself can be almost in the water.

Inside of Itsukushima shrine

 We can walk the aisle of the shrine. The floor is made by wood. If water comes, then the water can go through in between wooden pieces. Besides, the whole shrine can float. Therefore, this shrine is not destroyed and stays here for long years. This type of building is so rare and amazing!

After visiting the shrine, I went to the Museum of History and Folklore. 

Japanese garden of the museum

I couldn't take the photo of exhibitions, but I took the photo of the garden. The garden was very beautiful Japanese garden. There, I could learn when the shrine was built and how it became popular. Do you know "Tairano Kiyomori"? Actually "Taira" is his family name and "Kiyomori" is his first name. In Japanese we should pronouce "Taira Kiyomori" (without "no"). But we often pronounce "Taira-no-Kiyomori" (with "no"). And he was one of the most powerful governors in Japanese history. He was a Samurai but not related to the royal family. However, he got a power by his political technique. To show his power, he rebuilt the buildings of Itsukushima shrine which had been already in Miyajima. Some royal people visited this shrine after he rebuilt it.

Stairs to Daisho-in

This island is also famous with another big historical guy "Kobodaishi" or "Kukai". He was a high-level monk of Buddhism. "Daisho-in" is a temple built by Kukai. This temple is known as a temple with one-wish-realizing. It means if you wish something and pray there, this wish comes true. I wished one thing which I can't do anything by myself, and prayed for it. It is not directly related to me, but that's why it is impossible for me to work for that. So, it make sense to wish and prayed for it there.

Miyajima is famous for "Shamoji" which is a big spoon for rice. It became Miyajima's artisanal product in the end of Edo era (around 1789-1801) because this shape is similar to the instrument of Benzaiten (one lady god of Seven gods). Today, I found a guy who was drawing the portrait of tourists on the Shamoji. Anywhere in the world, we can find a guy of drawing portrait... I saw several in France (in Montmartre, Paris), and one in Hawaii (in Waikiki, Honolulu). I wonder if it is good for earning money ???

Momiji-manju

In Japan, if you go to touristic place, you can find at least one sweet which is popular in the area. It is Momiji-manju, in Miyajima. "Momiji" is a tree like a maple. The leaf of Momiji is similar to the maple but smaller and thinner. It also turns to red in fall. "Manju" is a type of sweet which has soft outer sponge and Anko (sweet red bean paste) inside. Normally, Anko is stuffed but there are lot of different paste inside such as chocolate, custard cream and cheese!
Today, I bought chocolate one.

Chocolate-stuffed Momiji-manju

Mmmm, yummy! I also found "Nama-Momiji" which has a little sticky outer sponge. The trick is to use some rice flour. This is goood, too. If you have chance to go there, please try some different types.

Shrine in the city

Today,  it was sunny even though it is rainy season in Japan. So, I decided to explore the city center of Nagoya. I left my home and walked to the nearest subway station, and took the subway to the station called "Yabasho". I was thinking to go to the cafe which is introduced in the tourist guide book of Nagoya. On the way, I received the phone call from my boyfriend in Hawaii. I can't talk over the phone in the subway. And then, I called back him at the shrine called "Wakamiya Hachiman Gu". There are many shrines in Japan and normally it is very quiet. That's why I started to talk with him by phone around the gate of shrine.

The gate of "Wakamiya Hachiman Gu"

The gate of Japanese shrine is called "Tori'i". You can maybe find it in Japanese garden somewhere in the world. People call the garden as "Zen Garden". However, "Zen" is one group or type of Buddhism and this gate (Tori'i) is one of Japanese original religion "Shintoism". So two of them are different!

Some other Tori'i gates in Wakamiya Hachiman Gu

There are many Tori'is in this shrine. It is interesting that some big shrine includes small shrines in their land. In general, they have many trees. So it is cool during the summer and it seems nice to take a break. However, you have to be very careful with mosquitoes. I was bitten several places by mosquitoes while I was talking (around 30 minutes). 

Main building of Wakamiya Hachiman Gu

 I was concerned that the god here would feel bad if I stay here and talk for a while without saying  hello to him/her. Therefore, I prayed at the main building before calling. It is like saying "hello" to the god here.

 Later, I went to the cafe near this shrine. It is introduced in the guide. I thought it might be very good cafe. However, I felt it is fine but not so so good. The taste of the food was moderate and the building was old. There were an air conditioner in the cafe making much wind because the building was old and the heat of cooking stays in the room. It was necessary to have such strong machine. For me, strong wind coming to my head directly and it was not so comfortable. Some people may think that "it is a cozy cafe in an old beautiful building". For me... hmmm difficult.

I started to read a book about psychology in the cafe. I became feeling like to read more and more... So I went to the book shop and bought the book about counseling. I am not counselor, while I guess the method for listening to someone's talk will be helpful for my professional and private life. I was happy to find a book which seems interesting. I also found the book about "Ho'oponopono". Ho'oponopono is a Hawaiian word means "practice of reconciliation and forgiveness". The book was close to the book of psychology. Hmmm, it might be interesting to read about Ho'oponopono. So I decided to buy one of the book about it next time. (It seems my mind is still in Hawaii even I am in Nagoya now).

Nagoya and Hawaii

I moved to Nagoya, Japan on May 29th. I organized inside my apartment which is much smaller than the apartment in Hawaii. I can't have a good view from the window. I don't have a big balcony. However, it is fine because I feel safe even without a security of the building. This is an amazing point of our country!

Today, I visited Nagoya Hawai'i Festival today. It was cloudy. In spite of such unpleasant weather, many people were enjoying this festival. I was thinking a reason why I visited this festival... I think I miss Hawaii even though I didn't really like to live in Honolulu. It's surprising for me to miss Hawaii!

I found several things which I liked in Hawaii.

Matsumoto Shave Ice from Haleiwa

When I visited Haleiwa with my friends, we bought some goods at Matsumoto shave ice. Shave ice is called "Kakigori (カキ氷)" in Japanese and I guess Hawaiian shave ice is imported to Hawaii by immigrants from Japan. "Matsumoto" is Japanese family name.

Garlic shrimp

I like several things among Hawaiian cuisine. One of them is this, Garlic shrimp! Whenever I went North shore in Oahu, I ate garlic shrimps. Also, I got garlic shrimp from the International Market place in Waikiki from time to time. I liked Blue Water's garlic shrimp. I also tried to cook myself. The secret of this taste is... Tomato! (just a little bit). I didn't eat garlic shrimp today, but I know it is delicious.

Hall for Hula concert and shops (Oasis 21)

 Not only foods, but also Hula dance attracted many people. Look, how many people were gathering in the hall! At that time, there were invited dancers from Hawaii performed Hula.

Hula dance of Hawaiian dancer

In Honolulu, I often saw "Hawaiian" dancers. However, it is very rare to see them here in Nagoya. That's why many people pay attention to their dance. The enthusiasm for Hula of people in Nagoya is amazing!! Actually, there are many Hula schools in Nagoya. It is very interesting because I didn't find any Hula school in Europe. Japanese likes Hawaii very much in general.

the Gallery of Heather Brown

I also found the interesting thing. Do you know Heather Brown? She is an artist living in Hawaii, but she is not Hawaiian. She is from mainland of United States. It was a bit weird to have a gallery only for her. There are many local artists in Hawaii and I like their works. However, masterpieces of others are not introduced here. I guess it is because Japanese company promotes Heather's work. One gallery in Honolulu who exhibit many Heather's work is owned by Japanese guy. It means... if an artist can catch the heart of this Japanese company, his/her work will be well treated with Japanese as a symbol of Hawaii, I guess...

Strangely, I found another place to miss... Switzerland!

Bakery from Switzerland

Look at the flag! It is Swiss bakery in the same building of Hawaii Festival. I went inside and found Japanese bread. Oh no! Where is "Tresse"? I couldn't find some typical Swiss bread. Tresse is everywhere in Switzerland especially during weekend. This bakery is too modified for Japanese. I found Anpan, Melonpan etc... which I can't find in Switzerland.

Chocolate café of Lindt

I found another Swiss shop in Sakae area (the center of Nagoya city). You know that Switzerland is famous for milk chocolate! One company opened a chocolate café there. I bought some milk chocolate which I often bought when I was in Switzerland.

I was exhausted today by walking a lot around Sakae area, but it was fun! I'd like to find more interesting things in Nagoya.