Day 18: Day Trip to Hiroshima

It was a long day, but we made it: A day trip to Hiroshima! I don't know the exact mileage, but going to Hiroshima from Osaka is quite a long journey. Fortunately for us, they have a bullet train (the shinkansen "Sakura") which does the trip with only about 3-5 stops and takes around 90 minutes. Since we had our rail passes, we got on the 10 am train and were on our way.

Hiroshima is most famous for two things (at least if you ask most people): The giant red gate, Otorii, that appears to be floating in the water; and the atomic bombing which is now commemorated by a Peace Memorial Park. Today was the anniversary of the bombing- August 6th- and we had planned to see the floating lanterns at night. However, it was so hot today, and we didn't want to be back in Osaka too late, so we didn't stay for the lanterns.

The first thing we did after arriving was head for Miyajima by local train. Miyajima is an island famous for wild deer (more on that later) and a shrine where the Otorii gate is located. Before going to the island itself, we stopped for some souvenir shopping and lunch. Mom had a rice conger burger- which she didn't realize until later was eel- and I had udon noodles. Both were really good. :) We then took a ferry to the island, enjoying a new view of the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. The island was packed. We walked along with the crowds (including a lot of foreigners, though I only heard two people speaking English) through narrow lanes lined with souvenir shops. One speciality on Miyajima are momiji manju, little cakes shaped like maple leaves and filled with different things like chocolate, red bean, and custard. I had to buy a few as they were so cute! We just ate the custard one and it was really delicious. ^_^ We eventually made it to the shrine, but decided to skip it as it was so crowded. Instead, we sat in the shade overlooking the beach and the Otorii to write some postcards. As mom was finishing up, a deer came ambling up and SNATCHED THE POSTCARD CLEAN OUT OF HER HAND!!! O_O We tried to get it back but a whole corner got eaten... Then the impertinent doe had the nerve to attack the other postcard! Suffice it to say we were none too happy. >:( Later we saw a guy hitting a deer with a fan... now it all makes sense. :P

After the deer fiasco, we returned to Hiroshima and took a streetcar to the peace memorial park. I really wanted to see the Atomic Bomb Dome. We walked to it and I had to stop a moment to appreciate it. The dome was originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial building (or something like that); when the bomb hit directly above it, some of the walls were able to withstand the blast. Now it stands as a humbling reminder of how war affects everyone it touches.

We got back to Osaka at 7 pm and made it to our hotel before 8. One last thing... Remember the "women only" train cars I mentioned yesterday? Well, I have to retract my statement. TODAY was the first time I've seen so many women. -_- And we were smooshed on the train pretty good, haha.