Day 6- to Okayama

We awoke in Miyajima, and prepared to set off to pastures new.

I know my blog has mentioned toilets a few times, but it's interesting how something so simple can be done in such different ways! It seems it's not uncommon in Japan have a specific pair of slippers for the toilet room. What goes onto the toilet floor stays on the toilet floor! As long as you remember to take them off when you leave...

And look at this innovation- the cistern is filled via a sink, saving water!

This was our hotel from the outside.

A leisurely walk through the lovely streets to see the deer again.

And to view the traditional buildings all around.

Miyajima is a very touristy spot, and the Main Street is lined with confectionary shops and souvenir shops. We splashed out on a few momiji manju, which is a speciality on the island. They are shaped like maple leaves, and are traditionally filled with bean paste, though they now come in many flavours, of which we tried quite a few! (They are quite small, honest!). Many shops have machines being operated in the back, which you can watch (you can see the kitchen in the back here).

               

We had to head back to Hiroshima for our train connection, so got off for a look around the castle, as we hadn't had time previously. This shrine is within the castle grounds. The castle was once used by feudal lords, and later was the headquarters of the military during World War Two. All the woodwork was destroyed in the atomic bomb, so all the buildings there now are replicas.

       

A horse by the shrine.

      

A wander atop the old castle walls.

Best be careful!

We found something rather unexpected in the castle grounds! Many large inflatable eggs! Intermittently they made music and light up. There were technicians scurrying around, and it was evident they were setting them up for an event of some description.

They came in varying sizes, from about a foot high, to about three metres.

Unfortunately, the event they are for begins tomorrow! It is a night time light and sound. We just need to decide if we want to go back again tomorrow evening to experience the full effect or not- depends how we get on tomorrow with other plans, and if we have time to take the trip.

On another note, has anyone ever tried a strawberries and cream sandwich?

I haven't yet, but maybe I'll feel inspired to do so before the end of our stay....

Waiting for our train onwards towards our hotel for the evening, we sat and observed the taxis. Sounds a bit nerdy, but we were quite impressed with their system. They are parked up in a huge grid of 9 rows wide. In turn, the front cars drive to the collection point to pick up their passengers, and when all 9 cars have gone, the whole block drive forward and there are a new front 9. A lot less argy-bargy than Leeds train station!

Also while waiting, we sampled these, which we have been smelling the last few days as we've gone in and out of the station. Cheese tarts! Basically a mini cheese cake in a crispy pastry case. Delicious! This is the only item the shop sells (except the chocolate special for Valentine's Day, which was sold out anyway).

Then we got the train to Okayama. A new city, but no sign of the collectable stamp at the train station- shall look again tomorrow! They had some lovely blue lights down the middle of one of the streets, but I'm afraid I didn't take loads of pictures as we were both mostly occupied with trying to choose somewhere to eat!

We found a place that did a Japanese version of curry, and came with a nice sauce to make it extra tasty.

Then feeling a little like we haven't eaten much vitamin c for a while, we picked up from fruit to take back to the hotel. This region, according to a poster in the station, is perfect for growing fruits. The apples here are certainly bigger an your average super market apple in the uk.

The apples also come in their own bit of foam. There is a lot of excess packaging around here, with disposable cutlery, hand wipe sachets, and silica gel packs in lots of food items. There doesn't seem to be a 'bring your own bag' culture, and you can't buy anything without it coming in a plastic bag. 

Back at the hotel there was another chance to use a communal bath, so we decided to make use! There's a bit of a ritual to abide by. You have to perch on low stools at a wash station beside the pool first, where you wash while seated before entering the pool, and then you have a quick rinse at the end before getting changed.

We have hopes of visiting rabbit island tomorrow, I look forward to sharing pictures!!!