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A short ferry ride from Hiroshima, Miyajima represents the idyllic image of Japan that so many tourists seek. And tourists do seek it. Plush, green hills and blue sea flank the main road, which runs between a Shinto shrine and a squat, heavily-wooded mountain. Miniature deer roam freely, sticking their noses into purses and prodding pockets in search of handouts.
I'm ashamed to confess that I have little to say about such a worthwhile afternoon. I wandered around the island, enjoying the ocean breeze and remembering there are good reasons that places become tourist destinations. I chuckled quietly as I watched middle-aged Japanese women scurry away from overcurious deer and stood in awe as teenagers respectfully cleansed their hands prior to entering a shrine.
The ferry to Miyajima.
One of the most iconic images of Japan, taken from afar.
Miyajima.
Miyajima.
Please pay special attention to your babies.
Miyajima.
WARNING.
They did not heed the warning.
I wear short shorts.
The deer were brazen!
Miyajima.
A rare photo of me, taken by a nice Spanish couple.
I cannot stop laughing about those pants.
“Hey, mate, you know what this building's called?” an Australian accent inquired to me. I turned and saw a thin teenager on a bicycle. He was wearing a camera around his neck and shorter shorts than I would be caught dead in.
“I think it's the Treasure House,” I said. The boy detected my accent.
“You're American?” he asked.
“Yes. Where are you from?”
“Melbourne.”
“Ah,” I said, nodding.
“That's in Australia,” the boy said.
“Yeah, I know.”
A few more Australian boys in similar attire rode up on bicycles of their own and began talking loudly amongst themselves. Not wanting to be associated with them or their exposed thighs, I wandered down the shopping corridor and found a pleasant little restaurant. I ordered the udon with oysters, which ended up being a bit overpowering. I like oysters—I really do—but they have such an potent flavor that I have no idea with what ingredients I could ever pair them. If I am ever forced to deal with oysters in the kitchen, I will probably serve them on the half shell with gold tequila and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Nothing rinses down raw shellfish quite like hard alcohol.
After my late lunch, I purchased a hydrofoil ticket back to Hiroshima. While I waited for the boat to depart, I grabbed a seat on the shore and sipped on tea from one of the omnipresent vending machines. Two girls walked past me, and their faces lit up into enormous smiles. “Hello,” one of them said.
“Konichiwa,” I said carefully. The girls seemed put out by my response; they were hoping for English. I just smiled. I was enjoying looking out over the sea. I took a sip of tea and exhaled through my nose. This was vacation.
The hydrofoil.
Leaving Miyajima.
I boarded the hydrofoil and, after the short ride, hopped on a connecting ferry to Matsuyama, a city on the northwestern end of the island of Shikoku. During the ferry ride, I stopped to review my notes. Over nine days, I had accumulated 40 handwritten pages. I looked at my camera. I had already taken 800 photographs. It was only then that I truly realized what a daunting task writing this blog would be.
Half of those pages are double-sided.
 
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MrHoon
10183 Posts
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“Melbourne.”
“Ah,” I said, nodding.
“That's in Australia,” the boy said.
“Yeah, I know.”
Rofl awkward haha
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sick blog as usual
how many pages to go?
australian kid was silly haha, i woulda asked if thats in europe
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On January 16 2009 13:53 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
“Melbourne.”
“Ah,” I said, nodding.
“That's in Australia,” the boy said.
“Yeah, I know.”
Rofl awkward haha
Haha, I hate to be racist, but one of the things I hated most in Japan were the other white people. They were always so loud and inconsiderate. You're in Japan. Try to be respectful when you're in public!
This is not to say that I was not a hypocrite from time to time. My drunken night with Manifesto stands out, but I'm sure I reinforced American stereotypes at least a few other times.
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
Damn I've never been to Miyajima and I've been to Japan like 20 times haha~
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On January 16 2009 14:09 thedeadhaji wrote:
Damn I've never been to Miyajima and I've been to Japan like 20 times haha~
You have to be 5'6" to ride the ferry HEY OHHHHHHH BURNEDDDDD
If you go back, try and check it out. Cool day trip, but I wouldn't spend the night there.
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Miyajima is so beautiful.
I see that you went when it was (super) low tide... Did you put a coin into the shrine? It's supposed to be good luck.
Also the oysters there are delicious 
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On January 16 2009 14:06 food wrote:
how many pages to go?
I have, um... another seven days to go, I think. Oy.
On January 16 2009 14:48 Cambium wrote:I see that you went when it was (super) low tide... Did you put a coin into the shrine? It's supposed to be good luck. Also the oysters there are delicious
Yeah, I'm told the view is even more spectacular when the tide is high and the bottom of that gate is surrounded by water. It was cool to get so close to it, though. I did not put a coin in the shrine, but I should have; I need all the luck I can get!
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United States20661 Posts
For the record I'd totally wear those pink pants.
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THATS A 5 BLOG RIGHT THERE IF I EVER KNEW ONE
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WAIT its a guy wearing those pink pants???!!!
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Nice read
I think he wears also pink shoes :D
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Oh dang, I went there last June. My friend tried to ride a deer and he got bit on the head, lol.
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On January 16 2009 15:15 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
WAIT its a guy wearing those pink pants???!!!
hahaha
why do you think the fit was so bad?
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On January 16 2009 14:59 DJEtterStyle wrote:I have, um... another seven days to go, I think. Oy. Show nested quote +On January 16 2009 14:48 Cambium wrote:I see that you went when it was (super) low tide... Did you put a coin into the shrine? It's supposed to be good luck. Also the oysters there are delicious Yeah, I'm told the view is even more spectacular when the tide is high and the bottom of that gate is surrounded by water. It was cool to get so close to it, though. I did not put a coin in the shrine, but I should have; I need all the luck I can get!
Definitely is (I was there early, so I saw both high and low tides).
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On January 16 2009 15:35 fusionsdf wrote:Show nested quote +On January 16 2009 15:15 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
WAIT its a guy wearing those pink pants???!!! hahaha why do you think the fit was so bad?
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CA10828 Posts
On January 16 2009 15:41 Ilikestarcraft wrote:Show nested quote +On January 16 2009 15:35 fusionsdf wrote:On January 16 2009 15:15 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
WAIT its a guy wearing those pink pants???!!! hahaha why do you think the fit was so bad?
hahahaha
nice blog etter!
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Those pants are amazing imo
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
pink pants are hardly rare @ princeton. ~_~
On January 16 2009 14:12 DJEtterStyle wrote:Show nested quote +On January 16 2009 14:09 thedeadhaji wrote:
Damn I've never been to Miyajima and I've been to Japan like 20 times haha~ You have to be 5'6" to ride the ferry HEY OHHHHHHH BURNEDDDDD If you go back, try and check it out. Cool day trip, but I wouldn't spend the night there.
I'm afraid I'm on the wrong side of the 5'6" then, since I remember you to be rather vertically challenged .
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