Japan on a Friday 2009 www.galfromdownunder.com

The Otorii Gate. Miyajima. The present Otorii, the eighth that was constructed since the Heian period (794-1192), was built in 1875 with the wood of camphor trees. It is 16 meters tall, the roof is 24 meters long, and the main pillars, made from single trees, are 10 meters in circumference.

The Otorii Gate. Miyajima. The present Otorii, the eighth that was constructed since the Heian period (794-1192), was built in 1875 with the wood of camphor trees. It is 16 meters tall, the roof is 24 meters long, and the main pillars, made from single trees, are 10 meters in circumference. The Otorii Gate. Miyajima. The present Otorii, the eighth that was constructed since the Heian period (794-1192), was built in 1875 with the wood of camphor trees. It is 16 meters tall, the roof is 24 meters long, and the main pillars, made from single trees, are 10 meters in circumference.	I have to admit I subsisted largely on SoyJoys, a Japanese soy energy bar in a dazzling array of flavors. I have to admit I subsisted largely on SoyJoys, a Japanese soy energy bar in a dazzling array of flavors.	Momiji Manju (sweet bean paste cakes): A soft sponge cake filled with refined red beans in the shape of a maple leaf, the tree symbol of Hiroshima Prefecture. Various flavors, including cream, cheese and chocolate. Momiji Manju (sweet bean paste cakes): A soft sponge cake filled with refined red beans in the shape of a maple leaf, the tree symbol of Hiroshima Prefecture. Various flavors, including cream, cheese and chocolate.	The deer on Miyajima are particularly bold. The deer on Miyajima are particularly bold.	F* off, said this Australian. Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be an Australian! F* off, said this Australian. Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be an Australian!
Bambi and my bike seat could be brothers. Bambi and my bike seat could be brothers.	Making fried momiji manju, sweet bean cakes. Making fried momiji manju, sweet bean cakes.	A conger eel roll. Somewhat like a krabstick. A conger eel roll. Somewhat like a krabstick.	The deer really got into it for the crowds. The deer really got into it for the crowds.	The Otorii gate balanced on the tikit handlebars. The Otorii gate balanced on the tikit handlebars.
Otorii gate Otorii gate	The deer are very bold. The deer are very bold.	Can you stand another picture of me, the tikit, and the most photographed monument in Japan? Can you stand another picture of me, the tikit, and the most photographed monument in Japan?	View from the 5 story pagoda. View from the 5 story pagoda.	The Senjokaku, or 1000 mat pavilion. The Senjokaku, or 1000 mat pavilion.
Capturing the afternoon haze. Capturing the afternoon haze.	The 5 story pagoda. The 5 story pagoda.	The 1000 mat pavilion and 5 story pagoda. The 1000 mat pavilion and 5 story pagoda.	Can you stand another shot of the 5 story pagoda? Can you stand another shot of the 5 story pagoda?	A deer poses for the camera. A deer poses for the camera.
Wooden dolls. Wooden dolls.	Wooden dolls. Wooden dolls.	A giant golden koi. A giant golden koi.	Otorii gate at sunset, with the tide going out. Otorii gate at sunset, with the tide going out.	Otorii gate at sunset, with the tide going out. Otorii gate at sunset, with the tide going out.
View back to the mainland from Miyajima island. View back to the mainland from Miyajima island.	View towards the Itsukushima shrine facing the OTorii gate. View towards the Itsukushima shrine facing the OTorii gate.	One last parting shot of the Otorii gate. One last parting shot of the Otorii gate.	Itsukushima shrine Itsukushima shrine	Sunset on Miyajima. Sunset on Miyajima.