MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Itsukushima may not sound familiar to many station residents, but it’s a location many can visit in their travels throughout
Japan, considering it is no more than an approximate 25-minute train ride from Iwakuni Station, plus the time required for the ferry ride out to the island.
Itsukushima, located in Hiroshima Bay’s northwest corner as part of the city of Hatsukaichi, resides in Hiroshima prefecture. It is decorated with an abundance of sights and scenic routes for locals and tourists.
One of the most famous locales on the island is the Itsukushima Shrine, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization world heritage site.
Several buildings and items within the Shinto shrine area have been deemed national treasures by the Japanese government. When the shrine was originally built, it rested as a sort of pier, overlooking the water, separating itself from the sacred land of the island. Pilgrims, and those wanting to approach the shrine, were required to steer their vessels through the large, orange torii gate, which stands unmovable in the sea.
The island is also heavily populated with Sika Deer, also known as Japanese deer. Those who visit the island would be hardpressed to not see or interact with any of the tame, yet inquisitive local wildlife. Made docile through continual human interaction, the deer have a tendency to approach and follow anyone who shows too much kindness in supplying treats.
Mount Misen looms at the pinnacle of the island, with a maximum height of approximately 535 meters, or 1,755 feet.
Whether choosing to use the ropeway, or make the trek by foot, one will find an observatory nestled on the tip of the summit, watching over all of the holy land below.
Itsukushima’s maple trees are known throughout Japan, with so many covering the island along with it being presented as a trademark symbol in the land’s tradition and commerce.
From pastries to dolls to magnets, cartoonish-looking smiling maple leaves can be found in every shop corner and souvenir store spread throughout the island.
With so much tradition and history embedded into such a small, yet lively island, there is little to no reason for anyone to not visit Itsukushima, more commonly known as Miyajima Island.