Miyajima Island is home to the infamous floating torrii, a bright orange Japanese Shinto shrine gate that appears to float atop Myajima's coastal waters. However, travelers who explore the island beyond this water-bound attraction will find this part of Japan offers a far more varied experience.
The island is easily accessible by foot, and most travelers have found the pace of a brisk walk to be the perfect tempo at which to tour the island's historic and natural sites.
A favorite viewpoint for outdoor enthusiasts is the summit of Mount Misen, the island's highest peak. Miyajima is rewarded with a number of excellent trails, three of which lead up to Misen's peak. All three routes offer different challenges, with the shortest, the Momijidani Course, being the steepest, while the Daisho-in Course is much flatter but takes longer. Travelers will likely be met along the trail by many resident deer and monkeys, both of which are prevalent in numbers and remarkably friendly.
The small island is also home to a number of shrines and temples. Miyajima's Daisho-in temple is among the the most important for the Shingdon Buddhism faith.
More than orange shrine gates on Miyajima Island
Posted on Monday, March 19th, 2012
