March Adventure Day 3: March 7th, 2013 – Hiroshima and Miyajima.

Our third day was our earliest start. We were up by 6am to catch the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Hiroshima. This is another place that I have now visited 3 times and it is my second favourite place after Nara.

I was very excited for this day, so this might be a long and wordy blog post.

My bag of cranes in front of the Atomic Dome

3 years ago after I had visited Hiroshima I said to myself that if I ever were to return to Japan I would bring with me 1000 folded paper cranes. (On that trip I was given paper to make one crane and I placed it there.) I was following in the tradition of Sadako Sasaki and countless others who have brought cranes for wishes and peace. I had made a small box full at home, but I didn’t bring them with me as they would have taken too much space in my suitcase. However with the Daiso selling origami paper for 100¥ I was able to stock up.

The first crane I made during training (all the way back in June) and the last crane I made, in February. I finished 1000 cranes within a year and just in time for this visit with Mom. Unlike some crane batches mine had no set colour scheme or style, I just wanted to reach that goal. And I was so happy when I did.

At the park I carried my bag of cranes past the Atomic Dome, where a woman who thanked me for making the cranes and asking how long it took to make them stopped me. I told her that I started back in June with the goal of bringing them to Hiroshima. She once again thanked me and then told her friends in Japanese what I had said. They gave slight bows in thanks.

From there I walked to the children’s monument where cranes are taken and left in class boxes on display. I unpacked my two bundles, attached them together and included a Canadian flag to the offering, something to show in part where the cranes came from.

I felt really good after I placing them. It was great to be able to be a part of something like this, something that has such history and something that means a lot to people.

From the Children’s Monument we made our way to the museum. I still can’t get over how much I like this museum. It’s haunting and informative and a must see if you ever happen to be in Japan.

After our time at the Peace Park we hopped on the streetcar and made our way to the harbour to catch a ferry to Itsukushima.

Itsukushima or Miyajima as it is more commonly known is a small island just off of Hiroshima. My last visit with Dad happened late on New Year’s Eve, but this time we got there just after noon and were able to see the island in the daylight. With the bright sun the island was quite busy.

The island is known as a shrine island with quite a few temples and shrines. The most striking sight is the giant torii standing in the water, leading to the old entryway to the main shrine. The main Itsukushima Shrine was something that I wanted to walk around and see, as my two previous visits I didn’t enter the shrine. Our stop into the shrine yielded a surprise as a wedding was being held. I was able to get some shots of the traditional Shinto outfits of the bride and groom, as well as a great shot of the wedding party with the shrine and pagoda in the background.

From the shrine we took a walk around the island. I was looking for this little pathway that to one of the temples that is lined with statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Unfortunately I couldn’t remember how my friend and I found it all those years ago, so we didn’t get to see that. We did get to see more deer and to see the first hints of cherry blossoms of the season.

After our time on the island it was back to train station where I took Mom and Donna to eat my favourite Japanese food. Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki. They both enjoyed the food and the atmosphere of the cooking area. I know that I will be going to Hiroshima again – maybe just to eat.

After that it was the Shinkansen back to Osaka. A tiring day, but really fun and fulfilling.

Up Next: Day 4 – Kyoto.

As always full photo album on Facebook.

Hiroshima – December 31st, 2012/January 1st, 2013

Our last stop on this two-week tour was in Hiroshima. We got into the city a little later in the afternoon. Once again the hotel was quite nice – I was also very happy that I was getting to have my own room, no dealing with earplugs or snoring fathers! We also found out what the hotel was going to be doing for New Years.

After settling in we went on adventure to Miyajima. Miyajima is a small island just off the coast of Hiroshima. The island is a great place to explore and see a few shrines and temples. On my trip 3 years ago I was able to explore more of the island, this time however we got to the ferry after it got dark and it wasn’t the best time to visit. We did however see a main attraction to the island that is the giant Otorii and Itsukushima Shrine. As well as a few of the deer that make their home on the island.

When the island was discovered it was revered as God. It was because of this that the shrine and torii were built in the water, rather than on the land. The temple is made out of wood and held up by wood pillars. The temple is built just along the shoreline of the island and when the tide comes in it creates the illusion that temple is floating.

The real site though is the giant vermillion Otorii which was the original entrance to the island. The gate stands over 16m tall and is wide enough to have boats pass through it. The other thing that is interesting about the gate is that it is not secured to the ground. It was just placed down and maintains its perfect balance and position through weight and gravity.

New Year’s Eve was a quiet affair. We got back from the island and walked along the road in front of our hotel, as there were structures and images made out of lights. They were pretty and it was a cool thing to see. Then we had drinks at the hotel bar and celebrated the countdown with a few other people in the hotel.

The next day we spent the day that the Peace Park. I had visited the park 3 years ago and it was still just as amazing and moving. We started at the north end of the park by the Atomic Dome. The gutted building is a magnificent and horrible site.

We then walked south through the park. We passed the Children’s Monument and the Peace flame and the Memorial Cenotaph. The Cenotaph creates a perfect arch over the flame and the Dome.

We then walked through the Museum – we were lucky that it was open; as it was New Year’s Day and all the previous years the museum had been closed. The museum contains information on events leading up to the bomb being dropped and then what happened during and after. It is a great museum and I would recommend it as a stop for anyone who is travelling through Japan.

Before we left the city we stopped for a dinner of okonomiyaki. This is my favourite food in Japan - the Hiroshima style, not the Osaka or Kyoto. It's layered with noodles, an egg, cheese, bacon, shrimp and cabbage. I love it!!!