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06/08/2013
06/08/2013
Had a great nights sleep in here at Jukeiso Ryokan in Miyajima. Work up early (as usual) and decided to talk a hike up the hill. Temperature is nicer in the morning as I suspect it will get more humid and hot later in the day.
Got a nice picture of the Torii gate as I left the Ryokan and headed along the path at this upper level of Miyajima towards a temple and the path up the hill to Mt Misen.
early morning picture from next to Ryokan
Path towards temple/shrine:
path above and to side of my ryokan
came across this shrine (not open yet)
more path (and lots more like it!)
gates to the path up Mt Misen
a bit further up the trail -- major water way to the right
temple or shine across the water
the path continued up like this for quite a while
I really mean QUITE a while!
Ah, a structure! Maybe a light at the end of the tunnel?
Well, just a rest area... about 0.7Km from the base and a sign saying its another 1.2 Km up... I give up!
But a good picture to show how far up I've come -- red Torii from yesterday in bottom towards right. I think Hiroshima peace structure upper left
walking back down taking a picture facing up of water...
and found a commuter!
Who had something to say (or 'cud') about!
As I descended some more I found more deer "on their way to work".
Kept walking back down the way I came and then down into town. As I reached the gates and headed towards town there was a little park area and I found a pretty amazing deer who knew what it wanted! Some of the leaves from the trees -- and height was NOT going to be factor here:
Anyway -- had many other "run ins" with the deer -- who are mostly cute but mildly aggressive towards nosing for food. Headed back to the Ryokan for a quick shower (will take an Onsen later) and breakfast. Breakfast was served downstairs -- each table had a sign as to which room it was for. I quickly found mine and started in another huge meal (I am putting on weight here -- not good!)
my table...
closeup of initial plate
nice grilled fish
mushroom, carrot, tofu and veggie ball
seaweed
pickled veggies
a hot pot -- for cooking tofu
thinly sliced mild veggie of some kind (or fish?) in a sweet mustard sauce
I though it was a a porrage or some kind -- turned out poached eggs and ham!
the hot pot revealed (tofu and veggies)
tofu from hotpot deployed
orange slices for dessert
There was also some "standard" rice and tofu... did not take pictures of those...
Wow! I'm full! Went back towards room but took a quick detour to the "public" onsen (just to see if anyone was there and check it out). Since no one was present I took a few quick photos -- didn't use it yet -- maybe later today after another walk/hike:
entrance to Onsen downstairs
Store your clothes or towels here
post-onsen grooming area
washing area
the onsen bath
So after getting back to my room I changed to my street cloths and headed out again. My goal was to get to the top of Mt Misen, but having walked part way from the base this morning I suspected that there was an "easier" way (Sorry Jill, I only want to exercise "so much"!). Anyway, there is a "ropeway" that runs towards the top but still involves (it turned out) a 1Km hike from the top of the ropeway to the top of Misen, then another 1km hike back. That seemed "reasonable". So I walked through town, following signs to the base of the ropeway:
pretty park bridge near base of ropeway station - with a waterfall
at last! Found the building and the gondola/ropeway
up I go -- Thank you "DyDo Drinkco!"
The view going up was quite nice. Here's the second part of the ride (the ropeway actually goes half way up, stops at a station where you get off, climb some stairs, and wait for a 2nd larger gondola to take you the rest of way).
view to islands of the seto inland sea
more view
and more
panorama shot from the top of the ropeway landing
Here's a video from the hill just atop the ropeway building. I mistakenly say "top of misen"-- should have said "top of mt misen ropeway" as the summit is a bit further up.
And then I start the 1 Km walk to the actual top of Mt. Misen.
view from top observation room towards Mt. Misen (1Km walk)
So I headed out on the path towards Mt Misen summit. It was a stone stairway path at parts, foresty in others. There were deer and monkeys, though I only saw one monkey and it scampered away before I could get a picture of it!
start of path to Mt Misen from Ropeway
path towards Mt. Misen in a more forest like section
and more...
finally got to a temple shrine
which is the "eternal flame" one...
inside the shrine -
loved the little hats!
Is this a southpark guy?
the gong...
Figure of the guy with eyes on many many arms/hands... Saw him in Kyoto!
Kept on climbing the trail (much of it stone steps) until I finally reached the summit. Just as you reach that area the trail steps go under some giant rocks... you walk through, hoping that the local gods don't decide your number is up and "crush" you--
final bits of path leading to summit -- under the giant stone!
Wow! What a view...
And just as proof -here's the iphone snapshot of the map!
iphone maps - top of Mt Misen
The only thing that was a little higher was the top of an 8-10 foot giant rock, but there really wans't a "legal" way up there. Also, it was being guarded by a small child (or was it?):
Child on the "real top" -- but I wasn't going to climb up there!
Anyway, took a break (high humidity and everyone was sweating!). Had a drink that I'd put in my knapsack of my new favorite (apple + aloe chunks) before heading down the trail back to the top of the ropeway (back another 1Km).
Deer up on top of the mountain get a lot less to eat (or are unhealthy?)
Nosey!
Once back down to "town level" I had a small snack at a little open window booth.
What can I say? It had purple! I think it was purple sweet potato, some type of iced dessert and something crunchy. Good to cool down after that hike!
There was also a nice Koi pond at the base:
I then got back to the ryokan and showered off to cool down some more. On my way up the stairs to the ryokan I spotted a "newt" (or something lizard like)--
it said "Leave me alone"
After a nice shower I headed out on a mission -- to find some maple leaf manju. But I got waylaid about a block away by a restaurant that clearly had a nice eel bento... well, it was really a nice soba noodle and eel on the side bento, but I figured I should have lunch so I did:
Lots of soba with seaweed on top
egg, scallions, wasabi for seasoning
and dipping sauce (or at least that is how I used it)
and eel bowl!
Even with lunch I was not to be deterred! I kept walking to find my manju!
Have you seen it? No:-)
But are you offering me some?
Well, then be on your way if you are not feeding me!
Ah, whats this?
Yum! Deep fried sweet bean maple leaf manju!
Would you like a giant rice spool with that?
No? Maybe a baked maple leaf manju instead?
Having eaten my fill I walked back through town and headed for the Aquarium to check it out.
Saw a few cool sites:
restaurant advice?
must be good -- there is aline
pick pocket!
I don't want to know!
good boy!
My cousin is the sphinx!
on the run! I think there is something good in that bag!
and so do we!
Here's a video of "the pied piper of Miyajima"
a performing monkey -- sad, but worth a picture!
They were concerned in selling me a ticket because they were only open for about 45 more minutes (of course, like any Museum like thing I ran the course in about 15 minutes -- so they had nothing to worry about!). It was a pretty cool aquarium though--
building label
Team!
similar to Hawaii's mantas or rays -- cool!
A very happy crab!
small fish
its really a porpus, but looks like a dolphin -- but no fin!
jelly
more jelly
different jelly (or UFO)
more jelly and jam!
jelly "shroom"
Eel!
Octopus
There were other things, but those shots came out well!
Then back to the Ryokan for a soak followed by dinner. Tonights dinner was served upstairs (vs in my room) but was still Kaiseki style. Lots of courses:
salad at top, squid (several ways), and river fish (tai) slices, lime, some grated daikon (colored)
egg for addition to hotpot (left) and octopus pickled (right)
Hot pot -- tai fish (i think -- white and tender) and veggies
tofu
light her up!
in-process -- egg added and stirring
fish chowder of sorts
finished egg & fish product
tea
white rice
pickled veggies usually served with miso
duck and mushrooms (unexpected but very good)
closeup of yummy duck
tempura of various shellfish and / or veggies
miso
dessert sorbet and ice cream
I was VERY full at this point, but because its so pretty at night (and to walk off some of this) I took a quick night walk down to the torri gate beachfront. Of course, now it was high tide, so the beach itself was almost gone (and the gate was "out to sea". Pretty at night here--
one of the street lamps (stone) and the torii gate lit up... sea has come all the way in.
except for a few feet of beach -- you can really see the torii gate is in the ocean -- some one I walked to a day ago!
One final thing (if it works) -- near a shrine there were some frogs just singing along. I recorded them -- so if it works here's the audio clip:
That's it -- time to goto bed!
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