Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
This morning we are going to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. At the start of this trip, I told Owen that we did not have to visit a lot of museums but we would be visiting this one.
I understand that a visit to this museum is a very visceral an individual experience and it is suggested to not take pictures but to be as present as possible. That is what we will do.
After our museum visit, we will make our way via ferry to the island of Miyajima.
Miyajima
We are in Miyajima for the next two days. Most people visit this island for a few hours on a day trip. I decided it might be worth staying a couple of nights and I believe I made a great decision.
Miyajima is famous for its sea bound torii gate. It is considered one of the three greatest views in Japan. It is the only one of the three that we will see this trip.
The island is also renowned for its “wild” deer.
We arrived just before checkin at three and decided to have drinks near the ferry terminal. We were then picked up by a shuttle service for the inn.
Ryokan
We are staying at a Ryokan which is a traditional Japanese inn. It is beautiful. The grounds are stunning and we are within just minutes walking distance from everything we will want to see and do.
Owen was somewhat nervous because the last ryokan in which we stayed we were doted on. All of the attention made Owen nervous.
I was looking forward to being pampered again. This is a nice compromise. The inn and the grounds are far superior but the service is not as attentive.
The pressure was off of Owen at dinner. He hasn’t taken to seafood like I was hoping he might. Because we weren’t served food in our room and attended to throughout the meal, he and I could easily swap plates when I finished my sashimi and indulged myself on his.
After dinner, we took a walk while they set out our futons. Owen was looking for a snack. I was stuffed with two dinners.
It was a beautiful evening.
Most all of the tourists leave the island before dinner. Most all of the shops and restaurants close down before dark. We almost have this paradise to ourselves.
The shuttle driver told us that we might see a “raccoon dog” in the evening which I know is how Japanese describe the tanuki. I have always wanted to see a tanuki. We kept our eyes peeled but did not encounter one… yet.
Bath
Taking a late night bath afforded me the opportunity to take a picture of the inn’s beautiful onsen. I had the bath to myself.
The creek runs along the outdoor onsen.
I believe that both the indoor and outdoor baths are fed by natural hot springs. The stools are for showering stations. One must shower before the bath and showering is great with cool water during bathing.