Saturday, August 23 2008
Otousan (Father) had planned this trip before Atsuko and I were even married. He had told me him and I would someday go together to Hiroshima. He told me this on my first visit to Japan about 7 years ago when I came to stay in his home as a "friend" of his daughter. My father in law had intended for just the two of us to go, but instead, last weekend the whole family got in on the action. It was to be our last complete family trip for awhile.
So Otousan, Okaasan (Mother), Oniichan (Brother), Michiko san (his wife), Takuto and Ryoto (their two sons), Atsuko, and I each got into one of two cars and headed to Wakayama train station.
Takuto (left) and Ryoto (right) LOVE trains
As do many children, and adults, in Japan
The boys were happy to be spending time with their father who works all week
Everyone was in good spirits
We ate lots of snacks on the train.
We changed trains in Osaka. There, we boarded the famous
SHINKANSEN (Japanese Bullet Train).The boys each got their very own 0fficial Shinkansen visor
In Hiroshima, at the station, we rented a silver minivan.
Just after parking our car and getting out to walk to a restaurant, there was a torrential downpour of rain.
It didn't last long, but long enough to soak us.
Once inside the cover of a bulding, the rain stopped abruptly!
We proceeded to dine at a
Hiroshima Yaki restaurant.
Hiroshima is famous in Japan for it's own version of
Okonomi Yaki.
Okonomi Yaki is basically a pancake filled with seafood, pork, or other goodies, and topped with a sweet brown sauce and Mayonaise. Hiroshima's version, called appropriately Hiroshima Yaki, is a bit different. It was DELICIOUS!
Ryoto was having a good old time!
Hiroshima Yaki VIDEO
Downtown Hiroshima
Information plaque about the GENBAKU DOME in the Peace Park
Photo of the Dome shortly after it's construction in 1915
The Genbaku Dome (Atomic Bomb Dome) today
The Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, detinated only 160 meters (less than 500 feet) from this building at 8:15am August 6, 1945
A Great Gray Heron sits Solemnly atop the ruins
The dome has become a
World Heritage Sight and is kept in the exact state it was in just after the atomic bomb was dropped. It stands as a reminder of the bombs capacity for devastation, as well as to keep humankind from ever using such horrific force on Earth again.
The
Otagawa (Ota River)Thousands of burning citizens jumped into this river after the bomb detonated and the ground rose to temperatures exceeding 3000 degrees
The Genbaku Dome and surrounding Hiroshima City after the bomb was dropped.
After the disturbing, but educational tour around the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, we headed onto the
ferry to Miyajima (Miya Island).
Miyajima is officially listed as one of Japan's 3 most beautiful places.
Sunset over Hiroshima City from the ferry.
Miyajima
The small island is very very close to the mainland.
It's only a 10 minute ferry ride away!
On Miyajima the population is 2000.
The population of deer is between 300 and 400
The Great
Itsukushima -Jinja ToriiA Torii is a Shinto gateway into a Jinja (Shrine).
Itsukushima is the ancient name of Miyajima
Every night the magnificent Torii is lit up from the shore.
The beach just in front of our Japanese-style hotel.
They're literally EVERYWHERE on the island.
I observed something very interesting - a survival behavior among these deer.
At the Miyajima Aquarium
Garden Eels
Electric Eel
The Axolotl
Who doesn't love Penguins!
Across the sand at low tide, Itsukushima Shrine
The 
Pagoda at Itsukushima Jinja
Itsukushima Jinja is a Shinto mecca
And a tourist mecca as well!
