No man is an island (at least, if we are to believe John Donne) but some countries definitely are, and Japan is one of them. It's even an archipelago (literally, “chief sea”) : a super-island consisting of many smaller ones. Its four major islands are big enough to give a mainland feel - most, if not all, megalopolises are connected by train tracks and highways - but the rest of them are a very different kettle of fish. One can hardly visit them casually, as it takes a boat to go there - and boats operate on strict schedules. To complicate things even more, there are literally few of them, and far between: about 3-4 departures a day. Miss the last of them on your way back, and the prospects for the evening become quite watery! On some occasions, even getting to the boat is time-consuming: for instance, Hiroshima port is located on the outskirts of the city, and it takes about 45 minutes by streetcar to get there from the city centre. In other words, a visit to a typical island requires some careful planning, and one would need a pretty good reason to go to the trouble. When it comes to Miyajima, the floating gate is the most immediate and obvious reason but…it's not the only one, as the above picture might imply. &nbsp;&nbsp;The Strolling Bambi is not a random stray or some other kind of an one-off aberration. Deer don't come too close to the shrine (the reasons must be practical rather than ideological, as they are likely to disapprove of wet sand, not Shintoism!) but, otherwise, they are everywhere on Miyajima. They appreciate their solitude<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711431/7kwonders/DSCF_3829_8c7ceee491.jpg" alt="DSCF3829.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711430/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3829_8c7ceee491.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711430/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3829_8c7ceee491.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711430/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3829_8c7ceee491.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711430/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3829_8c7ceee491.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;but they don't mind people, either - and pictures like that<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711509/7kwonders/DSCF_3821_dcf3b8fb01.jpg" alt="DSCF3821.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711508/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3821_dcf3b8fb01.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711509/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3821_dcf3b8fb01.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711509/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3821_dcf3b8fb01.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711509/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3821_dcf3b8fb01.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711542/7kwonders/DSCF_3822_029ef716f1.jpg" alt="DSCF3822.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711542/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3822_029ef716f1.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711542/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3822_029ef716f1.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711542/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3822_029ef716f1.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731711542/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3822_029ef716f1.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">are very much commonplace around the island. But for the shrine, Miyajima would've probably been nicknamed “Deer Island”.&nbsp;Aoshima Island near Fukuoka has no such dilemma. Its shrine is simple and charming but there is nothing really unusual about it - so, it doesn't prevent the place from being nicknamed (actually, almost officially named!) after its main inhabitants - Cat Island. Numbers vary widely but it seems like a typical Aoshima family consists of a “father”, a “mother” and… a cat! The following picture is a perfect representation of the ratio<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713182/7kwonders/DSCF_4254_d6099879b7.jpg" alt="DSCF4254.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713182/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_4254_d6099879b7.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713182/7kwonders/small_DSCF_4254_d6099879b7.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713182/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_4254_d6099879b7.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713183/7kwonders/large_DSCF_4254_d6099879b7.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">while others focus on the interspecies relationship<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713591/7kwonders/DSCF_4229_27f9093ac9.jpg" alt="DSCF4229.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713589/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_4229_27f9093ac9.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713590/7kwonders/small_DSCF_4229_27f9093ac9.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713590/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_4229_27f9093ac9.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713590/7kwonders/large_DSCF_4229_27f9093ac9.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">or just cats' daily routine<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713719/7kwonders/DSCF_4312_7b8d6e6f16.jpg" alt="DSCF4312.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713719/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_4312_7b8d6e6f16.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713719/7kwonders/small_DSCF_4312_7b8d6e6f16.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713719/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_4312_7b8d6e6f16.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713719/7kwonders/large_DSCF_4312_7b8d6e6f16.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713778/7kwonders/DSCF_4332_129963951f.jpg" alt="DSCF4332.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713778/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_4332_129963951f.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713778/7kwonders/small_DSCF_4332_129963951f.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713778/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_4332_129963951f.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731713778/7kwonders/large_DSCF_4332_129963951f.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">As it turns out, there are multiple islands in Japan that are named after animals - dogs, rabbits, foxes… Immanuel Kant believed that “we can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals”. Mahatma Gandhi went even farther, as he concluded that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. Japan has passed the test with flying colours!&nbsp;

large_DSCF3828.JPG

medium_DSCF3828.JPG

small_DSCF3828.JPG

thumbnail_DSCF3828.JPG

DSCF3828.JPG

Key#27: Animal Islands

Some wonders require an explanation because they look inconspicuous or even commonplace, and one has to dig deeper to realize that they are unique and indeed wonderful. Others are more straightforward - yet even they would benefit from a cultural background. For instance, Mount Fuji is just that, a mountain. There are many impressive mountains on Planet Earth, and it's not immediately obvious why this one - undeniably beautiful and even breathtaking as it is - is so special far beyond its looks. It takes at least some familiarity with Japanese lore and traditions to fully grasp Fuji's significance. Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima Island presents no such challenge.This entry title has a touch of poetic license to it, and even more so does a more commonly used moniker “a floating shrine”. The shrine itself is located on a raised platform, and is unlikely to come in contact with water - even though its interior looks like a ship deck or a cave crisscrossed by tunnels<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189382/7kwonders/DSCF_3851_0da7f1d40b.jpg" alt="DSCF3851.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189382/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3851_0da7f1d40b.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189382/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3851_0da7f1d40b.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189382/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3851_0da7f1d40b.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189382/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3851_0da7f1d40b.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189414/7kwonders/DSCF_3852_333ebbacb2.jpg" alt="DSCF3852.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189414/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3852_333ebbacb2.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189414/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3852_333ebbacb2.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189414/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3852_333ebbacb2.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731189414/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3852_333ebbacb2.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">A place like that must significantly enhance one's spiritual experience - in particular, considering the gate that actually flirts with water. Not that anybody could suspect it while looking at the top part of the gate on the “featured image” spot - an impressive structure that is reminiscent of Roman Triumphal Arches, inexplicably towering and light, at the same time. However, it's the following picture that tells the real story of Itsukushima Gate<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731194904/7kwonders/DSCF_3844_02ddac5305.jpg" alt="DSCF3844.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731194904/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3844_02ddac5305.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731194904/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3844_02ddac5305.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731194904/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3844_02ddac5305.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731194904/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3844_02ddac5305.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">The thin silvery film of water in the foreground looks like it could have been left by recent showers - yet, it was deposited by the receding tide that promised to be back on schedule. In the meantime, the gate is considered to be “on land” (as opposed to “at sea”). Even so, to cross certain areas, one has to go barefoot or use mini-bridges made of stepping stones<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731196830/7kwonders/DSCF_3845_fb6bb84fc6.jpg" alt="DSCF3845.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731196829/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3845_fb6bb84fc6.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731196829/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3845_fb6bb84fc6.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731196830/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3845_fb6bb84fc6.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1731196829/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3845_fb6bb84fc6.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">When the ocean does return, it completely covers not only the whole swath of the ground but the bottom part of the gate, as well - and that's when the gate that, in reality, stands on solid ground, seems to be floating. And the very expression “floating gate” - unlike, say, “mountain such-and-such” - immediately creates a strong sense of wonder. It excites and stirs emotions - that might be the reason that Itsukushima Gate is the second most popular image of Japan, and the main driving force behind the influx of visitors to Miyajima.

large_DSCF3840.JPG

medium_DSCF3840.JPG

small_DSCF3840.JPG

thumbnail_DSCF3840.JPG

DSCF3840.JPG

Key #26: A Floating Gate

<a href="/blog/key-24-the-father-figure">Sumiyoshi Shrine in Fukuoka</a> is one of about 80,000 shrines in Japan. Neat and welcoming, quiet and somewhat quaint, clearly marked by distinctive red gates symbolizing the borderline between the world of men and the realm of gods - it is likely a typical representation of most of Japanese shrines. However, there are several that take it to an altogether different level.&nbsp;As red gates are placed at a shrine entrance, there is usually no more than two or three of them per shrine (often, just one). Fushimi Inari Shrine in southern Kyoto sports thousands of such gates - next to and, almost literally, on top of each other - each being a donation, each donor's name inscribed on the back of the gate.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730578944/7kwonders/DSCF_3169_607cb69615.jpg" alt="DSCF3169.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730578944/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3169_607cb69615.jpg 177w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730578944/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3169_607cb69615.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730578944/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3169_607cb69615.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730578944/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3169_607cb69615.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">The shrine is among the most important and popular in Japan, and it owes its significance to its divine patron. Inari is a Shinto god of rice, a synonym of “wealth” and “prosperity” for Japan, and his shrine would draw thousands upon thousands of pilgrims praying for a bountiful harvest. With a following like that, the god could afford being different - and flaunting his difference. To start with, he would employ foxes as personal messengers - and there are almost as many foxes around Fushimi grounds as there are red gates<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730580790/7kwonders/DSCF_3036_51ba9c6ce4.jpg" alt="DSCF3036.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730580789/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3036_51ba9c6ce4.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730580790/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3036_51ba9c6ce4.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730580790/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3036_51ba9c6ce4.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730580790/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3036_51ba9c6ce4.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">The grounds themselves cannot possibly be mistaken for a park, either. They are much more similar to a mountainous forest that, but for multiple stairs built to accommodate throngs of pilgrims and tourists, would be perfect for mountain biking. Even as it is, the area provides excellent opportunities for exercising, as a trip to the sanctuary up the mountain and back might take more than three hours, all the while rewarding newly-minted “athletes” with plenty of fresh air and occasional spectacular views of Kyoto &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730583328/7kwonders/DSCF_3091_395615ea90.jpg" alt="DSCF3091.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730583327/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3091_395615ea90.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730583327/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3091_395615ea90.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730583327/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3091_395615ea90.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730583328/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3091_395615ea90.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Last but definitely not least, there is the upper sanctuary itself - the pinnacle of the trip to the shrine, in more than one sense.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730588230/7kwonders/DSCF_3078_85e8746edf.jpg" alt="DSCF3078.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730588229/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3078_85e8746edf.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730588230/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3078_85e8746edf.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730588230/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3078_85e8746edf.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1730588230/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3078_85e8746edf.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">A complex and somewhat mysterious construction that is likely to be perceived in a very different way by devotees of Inari - as opposed to random tourists. One can't help belonging to the latter tribe but, based on my personal experience, it's worth trying to step into the former's spiritual shoes - and to pretend to yourself that the climb has been more than just an aerobic exercise with a view (or many views). Retracing pilgrims' steps with a right mindset really helps to connect to the core of the country and its unique and ancient culture.&nbsp;

7000 Wonders

Featured Articles