Floating Torii (Gate) to the Itsukumisha Shrine, Miyajima, Japan

As a gate to the Itsukumisha Shrine, this red torii (gate) is an iconic image of Japan. As soon as we got to the Hiroshima train station from Kyoto, we saw signs leading us to Miyajima. We just couldn't resist, so we followed the directions and took a 30-minute train ride to the ferry port, where we took a 10 minute ride to the island of Miyajima. Since it was at high tide, it seemed as if the gate was floating on water. When it's low tide, the area around it is muddy sand, so that you can even walk to it. It was lovely!

Day 4: Kyoto to Hiroshima to Miyajima, Japan

It is now Thursday morning here in Japan and we are getting ready to head out for another fun-filled day! Yesterday, we took a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima and Miyajima. Hiroshima was a very educational experience, and to actually be there to see the destruction of the first atomic bomb ever dropped on mankind was an eye-opening event. I've learned plenty about it, but to be in the Memorial Museum and to watch videos of survivors retell their stories was quite saddening. I'm definitely glad I got to see the Peace Park, and feel personally, more inspired to learn about the history of the world and to make some sort of positive difference (I'm an idealist, I know).

Anyway, this was a photo of the A-Bomb dome, remnants of the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall. They have been rebuilding, and besides memorials like this, its hard to tell that a nuclear weapon devastated and destroyed a couple mile radius area, instantly killing all the people in its way.

Within Hiroshima, we also went to the Hiroshima Castle and walked down Hidori Street. In the morning we took a train and ferry to Miyajima, the island known for the red Torii gate in the water. Japan is so beautiful! Off to another day of adventure. I think we are going to surrounding cities today - Osaka, Nara, and Kobe.