Miyajima, pt. 1

Miyajima or the Shrine Island is located in the Inland sea of Japan. This statue points the way to the island.
We took a ferry to the island. I remember it being a little cold that day but the ride was pleasant. I do remember realizing that I can't swim about half way into the ride. Although -- for some reason -- a strange calm had overtaken me and I patiently waited my watery demise that surprisingly never came. I guess swimming is overrated.
A torii (a traditional Japanese gate) marks the entrance to a Shinto shrine.

This may be the most famous of all the gates in Japan. As you'll see in the next part, this gate gives the impression that it is floating when the tide is high.

The shrine is called Itsukushima.