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Published: August 29th 2006
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Hey all,
On Day 1 of our trip to Hiroshima, we did not arrive until later in the afternoon because it took nearly 4 hours to get there from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Once in Hiroshima, we walked to our nearby hotel (only about 5 minutes from the train station) to check in and dump off our stuff, before venturing out!
First, we walked to the nearby Shukkeien Park and walked around in its beautiful garden grounds. Here we strolled around a pond, watched the turtles and crabs, and enjoyed the nice weather we had. Next, we walked over to Hiroshima Castle. Everything in Hiroshima was VERY accessible, mainly because the city wasn't that big, but also because there were so many modes of transportation - including old-fashioned streetcars (which were donated to the city of Hiroshima after the atomic bombing)! Anyway, at Hiroshima Castle we got a little history lesson on the city, as well as took some cool pictures on the way. It was funny....at the top of the castle, after about 5 floors of ancient artifacts (swords, body armour, tools, etc.), were vending machines! Go figure! After we walked through the castle, we headed in the direction
of the Peace Park where we saw the famous A-Bomb Dome (one of the few buildings that was not completely destroyed after the bomb was dropped). We didn't want to smile in this picture because we didn't think it was appropriate, but as you can all see....we looked pretty dumb instead! Before heading back to our hotel for the evening, we had dinner at KEMBY'S - an American-owned restaurant and sports bar (not too common in these parts).
On Day 2 we spent the majority of the day on Miyajima Island. This island, which is about an hour away from the center of Hiroshima and only accessible by ferry, was A LOT of fun. When we first arrived on the island, we were greeted by a whole herd of deer...which Larry attempted to feed....until the deer started attacking him! I could only laugh as the deer followed him around and drove their antlers into his bum, even after he had given away the last of the food!! Next, we walked around the perimeter of the island until we reached Itsukushima Shrine. This shrine was really cool because, although completely surrounded by water when we first arrived, it stood alone
in the sand after the tide went out that afternoon. It was at this time that we were able to walk all the way out to the "Grand Torii Gate" and take some pictures too.
Next, we made our way to the cablecar that would take us all the way to the top of Mt. Misen for some breathtaking views. On the way, we stopped for some "momiji manju" (a maple leaf-shaped pastry filled with bean paste and other sweet fillings), a very popular treat on Miyajima. Once we reached the top of Mt. Misen, we were excited to see a whole bunch of monkeys....some were sleeping and some were very active...none of which seemed to care the least bit that humans were invading their space. On the way back down the mountain, we saw some snakes too!
Later that evening, we ventured back out for dinner to a place called SPUD LOVE. This restaurant was particularly interesting, as it was a British-owned "baked potato bar!" Here you could order any type of baked potato with any toppings imaginable!! It was delicious and surprisingly filling too. After dinner, we checked out a couple of other bars and lounges
in the downtown area, including one called NEW YORK and another with the same owners as KEMBY'S (where we had gone the night before) called THE SHACK. It was this night that Larry also got to try D'Absinthe - a bright green liquor that is illegal in the U.S. for its ability to cause hallucination!
On our third and last day in Hiroshima, we spent the majority of the day in the Peace Park before heading back to Tokyo. Here we saw many monuments and memorials, including the Children's Peace Monument, the Orizuru (paper crane) Memorial, and a Centograph for the A-Bomb Victims. We also walked around in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which we both thought was extremely sad and fascinating at the same time. Not only did we learn about all of the history leading up to the world's first atomic bomb, but also about the bomb's aftermath. We saw amazing artifacts too that were donated from the victims and their families, including melted clothes, skin and even fingernails of some of the victims!
Before catching our Shinkansen back to Tokyo, we had one of Hiroshima's famous "okonomiyaki" for lunch. Okonomiyaki looks a little like a
large, thick pancake, but is made of entirely different ingredients such as udon noodles, pork, cheese, scallions and mayonnaise! Sounds gross, but we can assure you that it is quite yummy!
Well, we hope you all enjoyed reading about our adventure in Hiroshima!
Love,
Larry & Melanie
JAPANESE FOR THE DAY: "do omoymas ka" - What do you think of it?
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Brian
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Thanks for the well written summary of your trip to Hiroshima. I have been there and agree it is both sad and interesting. Missed the castle but saw most other things. Agree with you re- the "okonomiyaki". Delicious. Isn't Japan a great place? Regards, Brian.