I walked to Mount Misen

Today, I am writing this blog in English with support from ChatGPT. 

Last Saturday, I walked from Hiroshima City to Mt. Misen in Miyajima, a World Heritage site. I walked 25 km, then took a ferry, and finally climbed the mountain. In total, I walked 35 km. I was very tired, but after finishing, I felt very happy and content.

I started walking at 4 AM.

It takes 25 minutes to get from my house to Hiroshima Station, which is just 3 km away.

This is what Hiroshima Station looks like early in the morning.

At Showa Ohashi, 8.5 km from my house, I finally saw the sunrise this morning.

This train becomes a streetcar when it enters Hiroshima city.

That day was very hot all over Japan. After walking 23 km from my house, the heated asphalt started to hurt the soles of my feet because of the thin soles of my this barefoot sandals.

Genesis Barefoot-Inspired Sandal - Men - Xero Shoes

I finally caught sight of the sea.

The island in front of us is Miyajima.

By the way, I like long-distance walking. Repeating a pattern of exhaling for 5 steps and inhaling for 2 steps helps me clear my mind and detox. Walking without thinking about anything helps me organize my thoughts. A Japanese philosopher once said that walking deepens thinking, and I truly feel that way. Whenever I have time, I try to walk. However, I need to walk at least 20 km to feel refreshed, and lately, I've been too busy to find the time. That's the main issue.

I arrived at Miyajimaguchi.
We take a ferry to Miyajima Island.

This is the most famous torii gate in the sea. 

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It's a little cooler in the forest.

Near the summit, there is a sacred fire that has been burning for over 1,200 years.
This island vividly represents the Japanese religious belief in the worship of nature.

74% of Hiroshima Prefecture, including Miyajima, is made up of granite. Granite is used for walls, gravestones, and other purposes. The presence of many giant rocks creates a unique landscape.

The view from the summit of Mount Misen is truly amazing. I believe it’s one of the top scenic views in Japan. From there, you can also see the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

In this photo, don’t the shapes of the mountain from left to right—forehead, eyes, nose, and mouth—resemble a person's profile? This is known as the Sleeping Buddha of Miyajima. Please be sure to check it out when you visit.

So, excluding the distance traveled by ferry, I walked 35 km.