Today, we took a ferry to the island of Miyajima, a cultural world heritage site. This is considered one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. If you haven’t figured it out by now, everything in Japan is one of the three best. The main shrine on the island is Itsukushima, dedicated to three goddesses who are worshiped as the deities of the seas. It was first built in 593 and then remodeled in 1168.

The O-torii gate, also known as the floating gate, has been designated a national important cultural property. The present gate, the ninth in its history, was built in 1875.

Daishoin Temple the oldest temple on Miyajima. It is the headquarters of the Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism and “Betto” or administrator of the Itsukushima shrine.

The rest of the afternoon was a 4 hour drive to Beppu our base for the next two days.