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I had fixed feeling about going to Hiroshima. On one hand I really wanted to explore the city that I had heard from other people was very beautiful and on the other I know that I dont cope with tragic events and I knew I would find it difficult looking through the museum and all that surrounds it in the Peace Park.
Cate, Marissa and I decided to go and we headed off on a very long Shinkansen trip. We stood for most of the trip which is 3 and half hours. We got there and then took the train instead of the tram,my fault but eventually we found our accomadation and was very happy to see we had a great place to stay that was very cheap. We all got a good laugh out of the narrow lane we had to walk down to get there, see photo below.
I fell in love with the city as soon as we started walking around. There are beautiful trees and gardens and a lovely river that flows through the centre of the city. It is heart warming to see that the city is so beautiful after such a tragic event
look place there. I was amazed to read that the people that survived the bombing and after effects started to rebuild their city just a few days after. It is inspiratonal that they have such a stunning city filled with breathtaking gardens when they were told nothing would grow there for 40-60 years.
We were very excited that there was a 3 day festival while we were there. The Flower festival was on for Golden Week so we got to see cool parades and vibrant costues and lots of dancing. Japanese has festivals all the time and I love it!!!
Peace Park was filled with memories of those who died in and after the bomb. You feel the love that surrounded the garden and it was lovely to see the Peace Pond, Flame of peace, Cenotaph for the A-bomb victims, the Children's Peace Monument and the fountain of peace. Everywhere you looked people had placed flowers, candles and of course paper crames to remember the victims and to unite for peace. I was shocked to see how much remained of what is now know as the A-bomb dome after the bomb was dropped. It was the only thing
left in the surrounding area.
The musuem was as sad as what I thought it would be....I only lasted an hour in there before I had to leave. There are so many pieces of clothing and children's lunch boxes and a tricycle on display that have been found and donated to the musuem. It was all to visual for me. It was interesting to read what had happened and to see photos of before and after.
Miyajima Island
We spent a full day here. I loved seeing the O-Torii in the sea as we arrived on the ferry. It was very beautiful and unusal. It is the 8th O-Torii, it has been rebuilt 7 times. At first I didnt think the Island was anything to look at until we statred to walk up towards the Ropeway and it was just stunning, very green full of beautiful trees and a river. We took the ropeway to the top of Mt Misen, the highest point of the island, we were 433m above sea level. It was very cloudy day so the view was not great but Im sure it would be amazing on a clear day. There was alot to
see on the Island the main being the O-Torii and the Itsukushima Shrine. There are alot of temples and shrines all very old and different from each other. I had the best sweet I have had since arriving in Japan, it is called Momiji manju. It is a small cake in the shape of a maple leaf and inside is yummy filling such as chocolate, custard cream, green tea, cheese, bean. If the cake wasnt yummy enough like that you could buy them deep fried in batter, hot and so good!!!!!!!!! We waited all day for the sunset and I was disappointed as it was so cloudy it was a let down but it was a fun day.
We spent alot of time wondering around Hiroshima and got to see some great things, including the Hiroshima Castle and the stunning Shukkeien garden. Of course being 3 girls we found the shopping streets and I brought a cool hat.
On Saturday night we decided to venture of for dinner and drinks, of course it bucketed down with rain. We were looking for a bar called Alcholiday but after getting soaked a lady gave us an umbrella and pointed us in
the right direction. We made it to a bar but not the one we were looking for. We ended up in Kemby's A.M. Yummy cocktails, I had Long Ice tea and Sex on the beach.
Before heading back to Shizouka we got to eat Okonomiyaki. It was so good........Hiroshima is well know for it. It is cabbage, noddles, bacon, egg (Yuck) cooked in a thin pancake and topped with a tasty sauce. I really enjoyed it and was thankful that I could choose to have it minus the egg.
Another long Shinkansen ride home.......was glad to see my own bed.
It was a great weekend, had a blast.
Sorry there are alot of photos xxx
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TravelQueen
Marissa Nakos
I love Hiroshima!
Great blog, you got in first! I'm a little slack, I want to put up heaps of photos too! Thanks for a great trip! Although the sunset over the torii gate was not that fantastic at Miyajima, I think the photos still look great! Plus, we froze to stay and take them, so I hope people at least appreciate that haha!