Japan 8: Hiroshima 3 @ Miyajima

宮島, Miyajima Island, in 広島県, Hiroshima Prefecture, about 10 minutes ferry ride from Miyajima Station. From Hiroshima Station, it takes about 20 minutes by a train to reach Miyajima Station.

As the ferry sails towards Miyajima, the famous torri gate appears. Probably one of the most powerful symbol, other than Mount Fuji, to represent Japan.

Deers considered to be sacred, roam freely on the island. They can be quite irritating to visitors, because they eat any paper products, which includes the yen bills. Their acute senses can detect food in bags and once detected, they hungrily chew their way through.

There are more than one good reason to visit this sacred island. Itsukushima shrine and Miyajima collectively have been named one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the present shrine dates back to the 13th century. The buildings has been harmoniously arranged to present great artistic and technical skills. In addition, the shrine provides a contrast in colour with the mountains and the sea. It illustrates the concept of Japanese beauty, which combines nature and human creativity harmoniously.

Miyajima is also hailed as the top 3 most scenic sites in Japan. The other two sites are situated in Kyoto and Miyagi Prefecture.


At low tide, the beach and the torri gate can be explored on foot. However, during high tides, which did not happen at this particular occasion, covers the gate partially and flood the foots of the Itsukushima shrine, providing a change scenery as the tide changes.

Many students wearing their school uniform can be seen. Apparently, it was their term break and many groups of them can be seen visiting many sites around Japan, including shrines, temples, and museums.

The entrance to the Itsukushima shrine costs 300円. The shrine looked like it had been gone through some renovations, however, the fresh red-orange paint made the shrine looked a little artificial.

The Itsukushima shrine during low tide.

There are other several places to visit on Miyajima. Besides the distracting shops selling gifts and food items that lure visitors to spend more money, there is also the maple leaf garden and a cable car ride to the island's mountain peak.

Even though, it was late spring, the forests and gardens represents an array of colours, in different shades of green, yellow and red. Gardens should not only beautiful and calming, but also have comfortable temperatures to walk around in, meaning not hot and humid.

The beautiful view of the island, the sea and the mainland of Hiroshima.

The calming effects of nature and human creations in harmony.

The coastline of Miyajima. Fishes can be seen jumping out of the water.

As the day draws near, the beautiful sun across the mountains and the sea sets. Miyajima, an island of true beauty.

Japan 7: Hiroshima 3: Okonomiyaki

だんだん, a restaurant located in the city of Hiroshima is a 5minutes walk from the J-hoppers hostel, which happens to be quite a popular hostel among budget tourists. This restaurant is specially recommended by a local who works at a hair salon. In the midst of limited English knowledge, and relating simplified Japanese, he had kindly show the direction with great patience and sincerity.

It was crowded in this small restaurant, with customers probably having their dinner after their work to enjoy some food and beer while engaging in loud conversations.

This local dish of Hiroshima origin, お好み焼き, okonomiyaki is an awkward mix of noodles, egg, seafood, homemade special sweet sauce and topped off with parsley and sesame. According to difference prices and taste, seafood or beef or pork can also be added in. While other parts of Japan (or world) have similar dish, this particular dish is unique to this region due to the specific sauce being used.

For the taste, it turn out to be surprising good for the messy looks it gets. It would be better if there was beer to accompany. Pricing at around 600円, it can be considered quite expensive. However, for the likes found in Takashimaya, Singapore, it can be concluded that the taste has been localised.

Japan 6: Hiroshima 2: World Peace

Hiroshima, the city devastated by the world's first atomic bomb on the 6th of August 1945,　昭和42年8月6日。

One of the few structures that was left standing after the explosion of the atomic bomb, and the only structure left standing today, the 原爆ドーム, Genbaku Dome has been named one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. There was much controversial whether they should tear down this building, as for one, it reminds the people of Hiroshima the pains of the tragedy. However, through much efforts, it has been preserved in almost the same state as immediately after the bombing. It is not only an outstanding example of the destructive forces of the war and humans, it also hopes for the elimination of nuclear weapons and for world peace.

The Peace Memorial Park consists of many monuments and structures for the remembrance of the Hiroshima victims, for the hope of world peace.

The Cenotaph and flowers for the remembrance of the atomic bomb victims. The Genbaku Dome can be seen.

The Peace Memorial Museum is the most important sites in the Peace Memorial Park and for travellers, the most worthy movement of the trip to Hiroshima. At 50円　for the admission, the Peace Memorial Museum really proves that it is working towards achieving peace. Furthermore, a high percentage of the visitors of the museum are mostly likely to be foreigners. (It should be noted that the amount of tourist visiting Japan per year is actually quite low, most of the visitors are however, domestic tourists.)


This museum not only showcase the events of World War II, but most importantly, also artifacts, writings, accounts, reports, photographs, poems, of the horror and pains the atomic bomb had brought to the people of Hiroshima. Other than Nagasaki, this museum is most likely the only museum in the world displaying and explaining the effects of the atomic bomb. A great amount of translation in English has been done, to ensure that visitors from around the world could understand what was being written, which may be rare in many museums located in non-English speaking countries.

Photos of the victims.

The watch, one of the several found in the museum, displaying the time of the explosions. The memory is permanently engraved, not only in the hearts of the victims, but also in their watches.

The gruesome scenes of the actual scene after the bombing took place shows the terrors of living hell on earth.

Please read this, one of the most powerful writings found in the museum. This photograph taken here, just like the lens of the writer, is blurred.

Japan 5: Hiroshima

Visitors to Japan who plan to visit other cities and towns outside of Tokyo, should buy the all-Japan pass which cost 28 300円 per person for a period of one week. This pass allows the traveller to ride on almost all trains and buses and ferries under the management of the JR company. At this price, this is a real bargain, as locals can only dream of. JR is the largest bus and train company and they also operate the 新幹線 or the famous bullet trains of Japan. However, it must be noted that Japan has countless number of smaller bus and train operators, so visitors should be prepared to pay extra on transport from time to time.

After a long ride on the　新幹線, the train finally arrives at 広島 Hiroshima. Visitors using the JR pass, travelling from 東京　Tokyo, should take the ひかり　Hikari trains and change trains at 岡山　Okayama. The trip takes about 6 hours with the train speeds reaching more than 200km per hour.

Upon reaching 広島　station, visitors looking to stay at a budget hostel should travel to J-Hoppers. It takes about 20 minutes from there on the tram which cost 150円。

One attraction of 広島 would be the 広島城　Hiroshima castle which cost 360円. It is however a replica of the original castle as it was destroyed during the World War II. This castle houses ancient artifacts and give an introduction to the history of 広島. But photography of any kind are not allowed in the gallery. And on the top level, visitors will be able to view the city and photography is allowed. At the second level, visitors will be able to try out the uniform

The beautiful view of the Hiroshima castle.

One temple besides the Hiroshima castle.

While trying to preserve the past, Hiroshima is however still a modern industrial city.