🏮 Japan Day 14: Miyajima, Torii Gate & Final Group Dinner

📍 Places: Hiroshima → Miyajima Island

👋 Last Full Day With the Group

This was our last full day together, tomorrow everyone goes their separate ways. It already felt a little sad in the morning, but I was excited to make the most of the day.

⛩ Travel to Miyajima Island

We took the subway and then a ferry to Miyajima Island, about an hour from Hiroshima. The island is famous for its centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine and the iconic floating Torii gate. At high tide, the gate appears to float on the water and is ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful views. The island is also home to tame deer that wander freely.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Check the tide schedule beforehand, you'll get completely different views at low and high tide.

• Don't feed the deer here, unlike Nara, it's not allowed.

• If you can, stay overnight on the island, it's much quieter and more romantic in the evening.

🌊 The Torii Gate at Low and High Tide

When we arrived, the tide was low, so we could walk all the way out to the Torii gate, even though there was still some water around it. Later in the day, the tide came in, and the gate stood "floating" like in all the famous photos. Seeing both versions was amazing.

🛕 Daisho-In Temple

We also visited Daisho-In Temple, an important Shingon Buddhist temple at the foot of Mount Misen. There were many statues, halls, and small details to discover, it felt peaceful and full of history.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Wear good shoes, there are steps and hills.

• Slow down and look around, there are so many small statues and carvings you could miss if you rush.

🛍 Souvenir Shopping and a Deer Encounter

After exploring the temples and shrines, the group split up. I wandered around by myself, browsing different souvenir shops. I bought four pairs of engraved chopsticks, and since there wasn't much of a line, they finished the engraving in just 15 minutes.

On the way back, I bought some food and sat on a stone to eat. Suddenly, some deer came up and tried to steal my food. I really didn't feel like sharing today, and I wasn't sure what they were allowed to eat anyway, so I just moved away.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Miyajima is famous for lemon drinks and small pastries, try them if you can (I couldn't because of my allergy).

• Be careful with your food, the deer can be bold and might snatch it from you.

🛳 Returning to the Hotel

On my way to the ferry, I ran into John and Jonah, the father-and-son pair from our group. They were also heading back, so we traveled together. We chatted and relaxed on the ferry and subway before heading our separate ways at the hotel. It felt good to slow down a little after a busy day. I called my mom and then a close friend from home, it was nice to hear familiar voices and I realized I was starting to miss people.

🍔 Final Group Dinner

Later, most of us met up for a final group dinner at an American restaurant. I had an entrecôte with fries. We laughed, talked, and got most people to write something in my travel journal, while I wrote in theirs. It's such a nice way to keep memories from the trip.

We even played billiards, my first time! I was terrible, but it didn't matter; it was so much fun. We played, laughed, and enjoyed each other's company one last time.

At 4:00 AM, my roommate Samantha left for the airport to fly back to New York. Saying goodbye was sad. Tomorrow morning, we'd all meet for breakfast at 8:00 AM to say our final farewells.

🌟 Summary

All in all, it was a wonderful and emotional day. We explored Miyajima Island, walked out to the Torii gate, visited temples, bought souvenirs, and shared a fun final dinner with the group. Even though it's bittersweet that the trip is ending, today was the perfect way to wrap up this amazing journey.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Write little notes or messages for your travel companions, those memories are priceless later.

• Take time for yourself during group trips, you experience things differently when you go at your own pace.

• Capture small moments, not just big attractions, photos of people and laughter often mean more later.

• Enjoy your last evening with the group, it'll be over faster than you think.