The item in the background is called a torii.. it is usually in front
of a Buddhist temple.. this particular one is quite possibly the most
popular picture opportunity.. you may see this on postcards, etc. 

Luckily, we were there while the water level was high, and during high tide,
too. When there isn't water, that thing just sits in the mud.. not exactly
the best picture you could put on a postcard.

This one has Alex practicing what is probably his favorite pasttime:
Jackassery. For a better picture of the torii, without a Pagnani making
a face, click here.

The picture was taken from the island of Miyajima, just a ferry ride from
Hiroshima. We visited all kinds of cool things on this island, including
an aquarium where Alex and I both got to pet penguins.