Brad Templeton's Photography
Brad Templeton Photos: Miyajima

Miyajima

West of Hiroshima is Miyajima Island, one of the "three most scenic spots" of Japan. All the guidebooks refer to great things as "one of the three best" -- this is clearly a Japanese idiom that allows you to tout something but be humble at the same time.

The Island is very photogenic, with virgin forests with great fall colours, and the shrine and famous floating Torii, of which you will see many pictures below.

A lovely panorama of the shrine is on the Japan Panorama Page.

Nice view, shot by K, of the Torii at the entrance to Itsukushima shrine.  The Torii is submerged at high tide.  At low tide you can take these steps and walk out to it.
(768 x 1024 - 89K)
Nice view, shot by K, of the Torii at the entrance to Itsukushima shrine. The Torii is submerged at high tide. At low tide you can take these steps and walk out to it.
The two-storey pagoda and turning leaves
(1280 x 960 - 259K)
The two-storey pagoda and turning leaves
Happy, happy, Koi, Koi in a pond in the park with lovely trees behind.
(768 x 1024 - 190K)
Happy, happy, Koi, Koi in a pond in the park with lovely trees behind.
As everywhere, Miyajima is packed with tour groups
(1280 x 853 - 160K)
As everywhere, Miyajima is packed with tour groups
And the standard bunch of kids, these obviously more middle-school, posing by the Torii for their group photo, but happy to wave at the crazy westerner.
(1280 x 853 - 160K)
And the standard bunch of kids, these obviously more middle-school, posing by the Torii for their group photo, but happy to wave at the crazy westerner.
Nice shot of the Torii
(1280 x 853 - 90K)
Nice shot of the Torii
Pond of the shrine, with 5-story pagoda and lamp
(1280 x 853 - 155K)
Pond of the shrine, with 5-story pagoda and lamp
Prayers are wrapped and tied to the poles in the shrine, which is built over the pond.
(1280 x 853 - 105K)
Prayers are wrapped and tied to the poles in the shrine, which is built over the pond.
The Torii is framed by trees.  Western Hiroshima in the background
(1280 x 853 - 174K)
The Torii is framed by trees. Western Hiroshima in the background
Love that Torii
(683 x 1024 - 72K)
Love that Torii
The bay of Miyajima, with shrine, Torii and Pagoda
(1280 x 853 - 134K)
The bay of Miyajima, with shrine, Torii and Pagoda
The trees turn colour on the ridge.  The forests here are virgin, unlike most of Japan.
(1280 x 853 - 167K)
The trees turn colour on the ridge. The forests here are virgin, unlike most of Japan.
A stunning red maple in the park above Itsukushima shrine
(1280 x 853 - 233K)
A stunning red maple in the park above Itsukushima shrine
The stream flowing into the shrine
(1280 x 853 - 207K)
The stream flowing into the shrine
The five-storey pagoda, with the ever present lighting cable.  (These things used to burn down all the time until they discovered lightning rods.)
(683 x 1024 - 99K)
The five-storey pagoda, with the ever present lighting cable. (These things used to burn down all the time until they discovered lightning rods.)

Lost in Japan Index

Modern Kyoto | Old Kyoto | Nara | Driving to Mie | Leonid Meteor Storm
Miyajima | Hiroshima | West Honshu | Takayama | Tsukiji Fish Market
Ginza | Modern Tokyo | Tokyo (Misc) | Bridges of Tokyo 12 | Tokyo-above