Miyajima

 

Miyajima is an island near Hiroshima, known for the floating o-torii gate in front of the Itsukushima Shrine.   Our guide told us that the whole island is so sacred that the shrine itself was built on piles, so that the building won't touch the island.   At low tide, you can walk out to the gate in front of the shrine.

The Japanese consider deer to be messengers to the gods.  The deer wander the island, amazing docile.  Until they see you holding food.  Then they come up and expect to share.  Even the squirrels in Washington D.C. were not this bold and insistent.

 I don't want to perpetuate stereotypes but I marveled as I watched the Japanese deer interacting or ignoring the tourists who at times were inches away.   Just the week before a girl was gored by a bison, when she stepped to close to take a photo in Yellowstone National Park.  It seems that even their animals are more polite than ours, or more tolerant of tourists. 

One final shot, as the tide came in.