Day 7 - Part 2: Miyajima in Autumn

Even though I’ve been to Miyajima several times, arriving there again—this time with the autumn leaves glowing in full colour—felt just as magical as the first visit. The island is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine and its legendary floating torii gate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most iconic views. Naturally, this also means thousands of visitors pour onto the island every day.

To escape the crowds, we wandered away from the main shrine area and explored some of the quieter paths. Miyajima has so much more to offer than the famous view: small stone temples tucked between trees, old wooden houses, peaceful side trails, and of course the island’s friendly (and occasionally demanding) deer population. These hidden corners allowed us to capture the island’s charm without the constant stream of people in the frame.

As the afternoon turned toward evening, we made our way to the beach for the highlight of the day—the floating torii gate at sunset. Since it was low tide, the gate stood on exposed sand instead of water, giving us a rare chance to photograph its reflection in shallow pools left behind by the receding waves. The colours in the sky slowly shifted from gold to deep orange as the gate glowed softly in the fading light. It was one of those moments that remind you why photography is such a rewarding way to travel.

When darkness fell, we boarded the ferry back to the mainland, returned to Hiroshima, and from there continued our journey back to Okayama, tired but completely satisfied after another unforgettable day in Japan.Read more