Photos

Torii Gate of Itsukushima Jinjia (Itsukushima Shrine) located on Itsukushima Island (popularly known as Miyajima).

Itsukushima Shrine and its Torii gate are said to be one of the most beautiful views in all of Japan. The Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions of the Shrine as national treasures.

It's really hard to photograph that place. It's been photographer so many time in so many different ways that it's really really hard to do something original there, something which would not look like a typical postcard.

When I got to Miyajima it was already late afternoon and I took one of the last ferries connecting mainland and the island. I couldn't find any decent (namely: cheap & affordable) place to sleep so I decided to spend the night sleeping under the sky at the beach, just next to the famous Torii gate. I got myself some boxed food, a few beers and pack of Japanese cigies and had a wonderful evening there, listening to the sea and looking into the sky.

Though, before going to sleep I had an evening walk in the streets of the small village located on the island. I ended up in a small bar, drinking warm Sake and trying to talk in my lousy Japanese to the bartender. Then I got back to the beach, crawled into my sleeping bag and fell asleep...