Pepperpottravel: Hiroshima

Arrived at Hiroshima station at 2pm and headed for Hana's Hostel where we are spending 2 nights. We dumped our bags and headed for the Peace Park to explore the area where the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. We discovered that our JR pass covered us for the loop bus so that's what we jumped on and it took us straight there. Once you get off the bus your hit with the Atomic Bomb Dome which is a horrific site to see in modern day. This building was a local council building when the A-bomb exploded directly above it and amazingly it stood and now the Japanese have built the Peace Park around it. All around the park are monuments to the victims of the bomb such as the POW's and the Korens that were here at that time. All the monuments have origami storks hanging from or around them. This is due to a young girl while suffering from the affects and later dying from the A-bomb used to lie in bed and make paper storks. A monument to her was erected called the Children's Peace Monument. There is a Cenotaph with a Flame of Peace which will only go out when all nuclear weapons have been destroyed. There is a Memorial Hall to the Victims where you can go and search for victims of the A-bomb.

This was a very moving place but a must for people to witness so we can have world peace.

We rose early this morning as we wanted to catch a train and then the ferry to Miyajima to see the Itsukushima Shrine. This shrine is made from Cedar wood and has been replaced 7 times now due to the fact that it is in the water at high tide and at low tide you can walk out to it. It was a spectacular site to see this shrine but I felt it needed a fresh coat of paint.

The island has a population of wild deer that freely wander around they seem harmless and quite friendly when you have food.

There is also another cable car that takes you to the top of Mt Misen for some amazing views. We decided to walk and OMG I was knacked by the time I got to the top at 535m What we should of done was cable car up and walk down but when have we ever taken the easy route. The day was another warm day and we chilled with the deer and a drink while we waited for the sun to set. The best thing about today it was all done with our JR pass. Back on the ferry for a nice rest, chicken and rice for dinner and a early night I think as tomorrow we are back on the train for Kyoto.