The view from the top
It was certainly a soggy day here, pretty much raining non-stop. Our island hopping concludes today with a visit to Miyajima. Before hopping on the ferry at Miyajima, we stopped at Anagomeshi Ueno, which has been doing anago bento for over 120 years, so of course we had to be a part of that. Breakfast certainly did not disappoint, and was quickly consumed once we got to the ferry landing at the island
Robot outside the bento shop 
Destroyed in about 4 minutes, delicious pickles 
Bento wrapping from my friend’s box 
Bento wrapping from my other friend’s box
After inhaling food, we made our way over to the Itsukushima Shrine, where we got to see two different wedding parties doing their photographs. I am in awe of the group for managing formal wear in this weather and remaining spotless (pictures not taken of those groups, so as not to be rude). Along the way we also got some pictures of Torii Gate. From there we stopped by the Daishoin Temple.
Torii Gate Itsukushima Shrine Going up toward Daishoin Temple Gohyakurakan Garden Gohyakurakan Garden (Five Hundred Rakan)
It was here that I chose to split from the group, I wanted to hike to the top of Mt. Misen, the others (understandably) did not. They went off to explore other places on the island, I’m told they had squid fish cakes and other tasty things at a cafe.
I set off on the Misen climbing path and got a few minutes into it before coming across a sign about venomous snakes being on the mountain. I promptly noped my way back down, and walked a different path to Momijidani Park, and to the Momojidani Station, the first of two in their ropeway system. After transferring at Kayatani Station and arriving at Shishiiwa Station, I was almost at the top. It was another 30 minute hike from there to the Mt. Misen Observatory. Sadly, given the weather, there was no view to speak of, but, even in the fog, it was a beautiful sight to me. I spent a bit of time (fumbling) talking to the shop owner at the top, who seemed pretty surprised to see someone from San Francisco (probably him just being polite).
On the Misen Climbing Path (Daishoin Course) On the Misen Climbing Path (Daishoin Course) On the Misen Climbing Path (Daishoin Course), shortly before the venomous snakes sign At Kayatani Station, heading for Shishiiwa Station Reikado Hall (Eternal Fire Hall), burning 1200 years strong View from the top of the Mt. Misen Observatory Mid-level of the Mt. Misen Observatory The “duck-under” rock on the way to the summit 
Cool bird I spotted on the way back down
After that, it was a reverse journey all the way back to Torii gate. Much to my surprise (more like my lack of memory about the tides) the tides were out at the gate, so I detoured out to snap a few more photos there.
The Torii Gate at low tide Same spot, viewing the Itsukushima Shrine At the foot of the gate
After some more boat/train/traming, I met up with the group who by now had gone through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (something I will need to do the next time I come back).
From here we went to Gram Cafe & Pancakes near Hondori for dinner and dessert, or at least in the order we got our food, dessert then dinner. This definitely made up for us striking out yesterday on souffle pancakes, and it was worth the wait!
Omelette with Beef Sauce atop pancakesBLT, with Canadian bacon Behold the leaning tower of (premium) pancake! Absolutely worth the wait for the pillowy puffs of pleasure!
And so concludes our time here in Hiroshima. Definitely a lovely city, and I hope to return in the future, hopefully in drier conditions. We now enter the vacation-from-the-vacation part of the trip, as we are off to Dogo Onsen for the next couple of days. Updates will be lighter (but there will still be food pics, have to keep you readers hungry, after all). I leave you with a bit of my geeking out here over all the trains. Thanks again for reading.
