Japan Day 11: Kiyoko, Imada House, Autumn Festival, Miyajima, Okonomiyaki, Photo Booth

We left early to catch the street cars to meet Kiyoko at her house in south west Hiroshima. She recently moved back in with her parents and the house they lived in was the old Imada house which we believe my grandfather's dad lived in. The house was over 100 years old and had the traditional Japanese tatami rooms inside. It was really cool to see and the town itself was really neat and small.  Luckily it was far enough from Hiroshima that when the atomic bimb fell, only some windows were broken and the door was blown open. Otherwise I probably wouldn't be here right now!

We had tea and coffee together and shared pictures while trying to puzzle together our family tree.  It was a very nice time. There happened to be a small local autumn festival going on that day and outside the house a gaggle of guys and girls dressed in kimonos marched by the house playing wind instruments and drums and singing while carrying a big platform with rice in it. We took some pictures and then headed out with Kiyoko to Miyajma.

The island of Miyajima was only a 15min tram and 15 min ferry away. While riding the ferry across the water we could see the famouse Tori gate in the water, which was built by my Taira samurai ancestors. Cool!

When we landed on the island we walked for 10min through a bustling street market with vendors selling souvenirs and food. We were a pit peckish so m dad and I bought some Oko-mini-yaki with oyster and the girls bought kamaboko on a stick.

We continued walking by the water and walked by the big Taira gate and went inside a temple that was built in the water. It was very picturesque and the sun was nice and warm.

My mom and dad got lost briefly but luckily Eliza, Kiyoko, and I saw 3 deer knock over a little boy who was teasing them with food. His family stood by and just laughed. Haha.

Once we found my parents we went for some real Okonomiyaki. I had the one filled with cheese and it was oishi!

We then took the ferry back to Kiyokos house and said our goodbyes. We were really happy to have met up with her and we were honoured she hosted us with so much generosity. Thanks Kiyoko!

That evening we just walked leisurely through the city and Eliza and I had some desert at a small cafe. We also went to this game/entertainment centre and had our pictures taken in a photo booth where u get to add stuff to the pics. It was frantic but really fun :D