Chinkasai Fire Festival
With most people living in the wooden houses, closely clustered together along narrow streets for centuries, fear of calamitous fires is
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Miyajima
Fire walking ritual at Daishoin Temple
Photo: Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer “Hi-watari-shiki” Fire walking ritual takea place at Daishoin Temple on Miyajima twice a year on
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Miyajima Tide Times
Time your visit to Miyajima to maximum effect by checking out when you can see Itsukushima Shrine at high and
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New Year rituals at Itsukushima Shrine
Jan 1 Shin-i Kenjo-shiki Ceremony (offering new clothes to deities) from midnight Saitan-sai Festival Ceremony Bugaku traditional dance performance starts
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All you Need to Know About Miyajima at New Year
A few tidbits of info that we hope will make your New Year jaunt to Miyajima a memorable one.
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To-no-oka Chaya
Delicious noodles and more in a calm atmosphere away from Miyajima’s busy main streets.
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Magical Miyajima in Autumn
November in Hiroshima usually offers beautiful clear, often warm days to enjoy the autumn colors outdoors. There is no better
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Shima Akari Miyajima Illuminations
The island of Miyajima is a lovely place to visit at any time of the year and any time of
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Miyajima ‘Koji-meguri’ Temple x Art Walk
While Miyajima is best known for Itsukushima Shrine, the temples of Daigan-ji which is next to the shrine and sprawling
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Miyajima Park & Ride Golden Week 2015
At peak times, traffic into Miyajima-guchi to take the ferry can get really backed up both along Route 2 and
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Toka Peach Blossom Festival Gagaku Dance
Court dances and music introduced to Miyajima from Kyoto by Taira Kiyomori in the 12th century on the occasion of the
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Fallen blossoms like snow
Nature saw fit to match the eagerly anticipated peak of this year’s cherry blossom blooms with some spectacular storms and
Read moreTwo blooming great runs to get you motivated this spring
With temperatures rising after each downpour and plum trees in bloom thoughts turn to getting from out under that kotatsu
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Up and Down Miyajima: Climbing Mt. Misen
I spent some time recently perched, cross-legged on one of mount Misen’s ancient rocks, listening to the wind and the
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Miyajima Aquarium
The recently revamped Miyajima Aquarium (Suizo-kan) is a family-friendly activity for anyone visiting Miyajima island. Originally built in the 1980’s, it
Read moreSerene Daisho-in
The walk towards Daisho-in temple from the ferry port is relatively short and very enjoyable. When I was there in
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Miyajima Kangen-sai
The Kangen-sai is the most elaborate festival held on the sacred island of Miyajima. Introduced by Heike warlord Taira-no-kiyomori in
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Kiyomori Matsuri Festival
Every year in March, a Heian costume parade is held on Miyajima to give thanks to Taira no Kiyomori who
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Fire Walking Ritual at Daigan-ji Temple, Miyajima
Every year on the November 3 ‘Culture Day’ holiday, an impressive fire walking ritual takes place in the forecourt of
Read moreMikuniya Guesthouse
There’s nothing quite like being able to wander the quiet backstreets of one of the most famous islands in Japan
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Miyajima Tondo Festival
The mound of New Year decorations and previous year’s good luck amulets to be set aflame at Miyajima’s seaside Tondo
Read moreMiyajima Eco Tour
You’ve done the Ōtorii, Itsukushima-jinja, the temples and pagodas, and you may have been to the top of Mt. Misen.
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Leaves starting to turn on Miyajima
The leaves are starting to turn and the crowds beginning to build on Miyajima. Here are a few snaps from
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Miyajima Park & Ride over Golden Week
Year after year Miyajima is becoming a more and more popular tourist destination, with a record 3,630,000 people visiting the
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Paddle Park
Kubota-san has been running sea-kayak tours since 1996. Located just across the water from Hiroshima’s famous sightseeing spot, Miyajima Island,
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Miyajima kaki-matsuri Oyster Festival
We have been listing the various kaki-matsuri oyster festivals, held at ports all along Hiroshima’s Inland Sea coast between late
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Kagura at Miyajima Oyster Festival
A forces of good take a breather during a kagura performance at the Miyajima Oyster Festival. Click for larger version.
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Momote-sai Festival
The ritual firing of the first arrow of the year takes place at Ōmoto Shrine on Miyajima every year on
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Chinkasai Fire Festival
Miyajima’s chinkasai is an impressive fire appeasing festival held on New Year’s Eve. From midnight on December 31st, through the
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Featured Photo: Stone torii gate at Shinomiya Shrine in Momiji-dani
A shot taken during a lull in the crowds that descended on Momiji-dani to enjoy the autumn leaves on Miyajima
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