Day 2:
Since my son and I went to bed early last night, we could wake up early this morning. We headed up to the breakfast area located behind the hotel reception on the 13th floor, and surprisingly, there was only one other person there besides us, who was waiting for the breakfast area to open. While waiting and enjoying the view from the 13th floor, the breakfast area opened in about 10-15 minutes. We were then guided to our table by the staff. Breakfast was buffet-style, so we could pick and choose what we wanted to eat.
For more details about the hotel’s breakfast, please refer to the official page below.
https://www.candeohotels.com/en/hiroshima-hatchobori/breakfast/

After eating breakfast early, we headed to Miyajima by taking a ferry called “Hiroshima World Heritage Sea Route,” which departed near the Peace Memorial Park:
http://www.aqua-net-h.co.jp/en/heritage/
Although there were several ways to get to Miyajima, we chose this ferry as it seemed to be the fastest option. Since it had been scorching hot this summer and today was also expected to be the same, both my son and I wanted to get to Miyajima before it got too crowded and return to the hotel early.

By the way, you can board this high-speed ferry from the foot of the Motoyasu Bridge, which is located near the Atomic Bomb Dome in the Peace Memorial Park. The fare is 2,200 yen for a one-way trip and 4,000 yen for a round trip for adults (12 years and older). For children (11 and under), it’s 1,100 yen one-way and 2,000 yen for a round trip. There are discounts for people with disabilities, but not for groups. It takes you approximately 45 minutes to get to Miyajima. Initially, it cruises along the river before heading out to sea for a high-speed journey to Miyajima.

We booked our tickets online the day before and took the earliest ferry at 8:30 AM. It was not full, but about 80-90% of the seats were occupied, and as we expected, many tourists from other countries were onboard.

The ferry arrived at Miyajima right on time. Even though it was just past 9 in the morning, it was already hot. On the way to the World Heritage site “Itsukushima Shrine,” we spotted a wild deer sitting under a tree.
Although many wild deer inhabit Miyajima, you should not touch them or feed them. They are, after all, wild animals. You can take photos, but beyond that, it is best to leave them alone and move away gently. (Throughout the island, there are frequent announcements reminding visitors not to touch the deer.)

Miyajima, also known as “Aki-no-Miyajima,” is renowned as one of Japan’s three most scenic spots (the other two are Matsushima and Amanohashidate). This island has “Itsukushima Shrine,” which is registered as a World Heritage site and its Otorii gate (a large gateway to a Shinto shrine) which appears to emerge from the sea, is a well-known symbol of it. Because Miyajima, often referred to as “The Island of Gods,” has been historically believed to be inhabited by deities (with the entire island considered sacred), it is believed that the Itsukushima Shrine and Otorii gate were built on the sea to avoid harming its land.

It was low tide when we visited, allowing us to approach the Otorii gate on foot. However, the surrounding ground was muddy. So I decided not to get too close since I was wearing sandals. Instead, I took some photos of Otorii from a distance. Then, my son and I continued to the Itsukushima Shrine.

Interestingly, there’s a surprising fact about this Otorii gate. In fact, its construction method is unique and this Otorii gate (standing 16-meter tall, 24-meter long, and weighing around 60 tons) is simply placed in its location. Despite being one of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan, it merely stands due to its own weight. You may think that a slight wave or storm could topple it, but apparently, it stands firm.

The World Heritage “Itsukushima Shrine” could be called the symbol of Miyajima. In 1168, it was constructed to its current scale under the deep faith in the (Shinto) God of the warlord “Taira no Kiyomori.” Centered on the main shrine, various smaller shrines, a stage, and a music room are connected by beautiful vermillion corridors. (Perhaps, I will never forget the beauty of these corridors.) Despite the intense heat, a refreshing breeze from the sea could be felt sweeping through these corridors, almost like a mystical wind, in other words, a “divine breath.”

During this trip, my son had expressed his interest in collecting ‘Goshuin’ stamps in a ‘Goshuin-cho’ (Red Stamp Book). So, at Itsukushima Shrine, he bought his first Goshuin-cho and received a Goshuin.
A Goshuin is a stamp or seal given at shrines and temples as proof of a visit. Each design is unique to its shrine or temple. To receive a Goshuin, there is a fee, and one needs a dedicated book called Goshuin-cho (which you can also purchase on-site, and cannot get a Goshuin on your ordinary notebook). Once you pay at the reception, a shrine or temple staff member will inscribe the Goshuin into your Goshuin-cho.
Both my son and I purchased our own Goshuin-cho at Itsukushima Shrine and received wonderful stamps. (Later, when we visited Hiroshima Castle, we also received a Goshuin from a nearby shrine.)