ExploreJapan

What a wonderful bridge!  This was my first impression when I saw this Kintaikyo wooden bridge. After strolling around Miyajima, I had 4hrs left to jump on my Shinkansen train at 6pm to go back to my place. It took less than an hour from Miyajimaguchi JR station to visit one of the most beautiful bridges in Yamaguchi prefecture located in the westernmost part of the island of Honshu.   

from Miyajimaguchi JR station(A) to Kintaikyo bridge(B)

I liked their continuous arches built over the Nishiki River. If you are interested in the architecture, take a close look at the right photo to see how each wood is jointed together.   It seems that no nails can be seen!

Originally this bridge was built in 1673 by a feudal lord. Even though it was swept away by floods a few times, this beautiful bridge was reconstructed by the support of local people. During the old times, only samurai warriors were allowed to use this bridge while commoners had to use boats to cross the river.      

Let’s see how you can get there. You get off at JR Iwakuni station after 23 mins ride from Miyajimaguchi station in Hiroshima (230 yen). Then you need to change your transportation. There were a lot of buses from Iwakuni station to Kintaikyo bridge. It cost 240 yen to go to the bus stop at Kintaikyo bridge.  As most of people get off at the same stop, you won’t miss the stop.

You need to buy a ticket (300yen) to cross the bridge.

Please watch your step! It was quite steep. Can you see a small castle on top of the mountain? It is Iwakuni castle. A cable car is available to ride up there.

There were some shops around the bridge. A lot of women were waiting for ther turn to purchase a soft ice cream. They had 100 kinds!

This cup reminds me of Matcha green tea I had at Takayamain Gifu prefecture.Yes, this is Hagiyaki!

It was a great short trip from Miyajima. It is good to set the bar low because that helped me improve the quality of my journey this time :P If you have some time left in Miyajima, you must visit Kintaikyo bridge!  

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After I had left Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park,  I headed for another world heritage site in Hiroshima, MIYAJIMA which is also a must-visit place! In addition, this place is known as one of the three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan. Let me share with you my first ever Miyajima experience.  

I had two ways to go to Miyajima, an island in the Seto Inland Sea,  from Peace Memorial Park. For those who are on a tight budget, you can go by streetcar (150yen) + train (400yen) + on foot (free)+ ferry(170yen). It cost me 720yen for a 80mins ride. Alternatively you can choose a 45mins ferry ride, but it costs 1900yen.   

【From Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima: 80mins】

1. streetcar (Genbaku-dome mae → Hiroshima station) 2. JR train (Hiroshima st → Miyajimaguchi st) 3. 10mis walk from Miyajimaguchi st to ferry terminal *My fav restaurant UENO 4. Ferry boat

It took 10mins to reach the ferry terminal of Miyajima. I would recommend that you stand on the deck outside so that you can watch a ruby torii  gate of Itsukushima Jinja, a shrine of beautiful splendors.

Upon landing on the island of Miyajima, I walked along the sea side (See the Map below). This street was so exquisite. Then you will soon hit one of the most beautiful spots of Miyajima, which is located near the entrance of Itsukushima shrine. First photo was taken there!    

By the way,

Do you know why the red torii gate stands in the sea apart from a shrine?

The whole island of Miyajima has been an object of worship since old days. We Japanese have believed that deities reside in everything, in this case the island as a whole. Because Itsukushima shrine was for the sacred Miyajima, the gate functioned as the approach to the shrine was built in the sea.  

Here we arrived at the entrance of Itsukushima shrine. At the gate where you pay for the admission fee (300yen), please check the time for low tide so that you can make an interesting tour later….  

Welcome to Itsukushima shrine…..to be continued..

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 My walking Map

Jumping on the tram bound for EBA or MIYAJIMAGUCHI at Hiroshima station and getting off at the tram stop called ”GENBAKU DOME MAE”after the 15 mins ride (150 yen for single trip), I finally arrived at one of the two World Heritage Sites in Hiroshima. The A-Bomb Dome (MAP 1) is located along the Motoyasu river near the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.       

You can get access to the internet (Free Wi-Fi is available within the park precincts) and visit this website at http://p2walker.jp/peace/en/. Why don’t you watch the 23mins documentary video called ”The A-bomb what happened to Hiroshima” so that you have a better understanding about the nuclear bomb dropped in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.  

After crossing over the Motoyasu bridge 3mins walk from the A-bomb dome, there is a building called REST HOUSE ( MAP 8 ) functioned as tourist information center as well as souvenir shop. You can get the necessary information here as some staff can speak English.

Passing by the REST HOUSE, you will find the statue with a girl placed on top, lifting a crane towards the sky, which is the Children’s Peace Monument (MAP 3). Her name is Sadako who was exposed to radiation in the bombing of Hiroshima at her age of 2. Then the girl started to suffer from leukemia at her age of 11.

One day, she heard a story in the hospital that she can make her dreams come true if she folds 1000 cranes. Then she started to do so to wish for her recovery. But her wish didn’t come true. She passed away when she was 12. Over time, this story became well-known across not only in Japan but also in the world. Today, 10 millions of paper cranes are sent to Hiroshima every year and put out in the Peace Memorial park.  

Every year 6th August,  Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony is held in front of this cenotaph for a bomb victims (MAP 9) located in the center of the park when we Japanese confront our past on this day.

Seeing hundreds of people visit this place to appeace the souls of the bomb victims and pray for the eternal peace is a common sight the peace memorial park. It was 7am in the morning when I took a photo above.  

Just behind the cenotaph for the bomb victims, you will find Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum(MAP12), designed by Kenzo Tange (1912 – 2005), one of the most famous architects who laid the foundation of  modern architecture in Japan. This museum features a lot of photos and documents with regards to a-bomb calamity to convey the horror of that event. I was very sad after I left this museum (Admission fee: 50yen per person), but it was worth visiting to know what happened in Hiroshima & nuclear weapons. 

Strolling around the park during the night can also give you the different ambience from the daytime. 

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park including the a-bomb dome, Peace Memorial Museum became one of the most unforgettable places I ever visited in my life. So, please do visit this park when you come to Hiroshima. I hope you would have a great time in  this place.

 Map From wikitravel

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HIROSHIMAYAKI, Hiroshima style pancakes

Hiroshimayaki has been a casual dish for the people in Hiroshima since old days. A great number of  restaurants specializing in this dish can be found everywhere in Hiroshima. I will talk about this special pancakes of MICCHAN next time,recommended by my ex-colleague from Hiroshima! Arigato, Wataru san! It was reasonable & so tasty!

★★★★★ MICCHAN(Hacchobori outlet) みっちゃん　八丁堀総本店　　　10mins walk from the A-bomb Dome Operation Hour: Lunch 11-15 Dinner 17 – 22:30 (SUN 20:30)

Address:6-7 Hacchobori, Naka ward, Hiroshima city

ANAGO SEA EEL or CONGER FISH 

I have been a big fan of Anago sushi since I was a kid. Having a grilled ANAGO sea eel was one of my exciting events in Hiroshima. I had lunch at Fujitaya in Miyajima, known as one of the three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan and ate a Bento box of Ueno in the Shinkansen bullet train. My verdict? UENO was better! But both were nice in deed!

★★★★★ Sea Eel Bowl Restaurant UENO  うえの 2mins walk from JR MIYAJIMAGUCHI Station  Operation Hour: 10am – 6pm  Closed on Wed. Lunch Bento Box is available fr 9am.  1470 yen for a rice bowl or Bento Box 

Address:1-5-11 Miyajimaguchi Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture

★★★★★　Sea Eel Bowl Restaurant FUJITAYA ふじたや 5mins walk from Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima Operation Hour: 11am – 5pm 2300 yen for a rice bowl

Address: 125 -2 Miyajimamachi, Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture

(Anticlockwise from above) Rice Bowl at Fujitaya, Bento Box at Ueno

OYSTERs

When it comes to oysters called KAKI in Japan, Hiroshima is one of the most famous place. More than half of Japanese oysters are being cultured and produced here.Oysters come into season in November. They are available over the course of a winter! When are you planning to go to Hiroshima? If it is in winter, oysters are waiting for you!     

MOMIJI MANJU - A maple-leaf -shaped sponge cake –

”Freshly-cooked one is a must to try!!” recommended by my senior whom I travelled with. The word of mouth power is always strong. It cost only 100 yen served with a glass of cold tea at Fujiya. So cheap! As I was tired walking around, it was a perfect snack for me. Nowadays they are stuffed with a variety of ingredients such as red bean paste, chocolate, etc. MOMIJI MANJU are the most famous sweets in Hiroshima!

★★★★★FUJIIYA 藤い屋本店 located in the Omotesando shopping Arcade near Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Miyajima. *Faster to ask local people

Address: 1129 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi city.

SHAKUSHI SENBEI - A paddle-shaped crackers –

Basically these paddles are used as rice scoops, but here in Miyajima, there are paddles with prayers written on them for such things as your safety. Paddle-shaped crackers are as popular as Momiji Manju. These snacks can be purchased at major gift shops. Unlike Momiji Manju, these snacks last longer, which is good for you to bring them back to your country!

Having local delights is one of the most enjoyable & important factors to increace the quality of travel. I think most Japanese think in the same way. 

Have fun munching! & Explore Japan!

I visited Hiroshima city, located in the western part of Japan, where it took 4 hours to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen bullet train. Hiroshima attracts a lot of tourists from around the world as there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I would like you to stay in Hiroshima at least 2 days so that I can share the tips to fully enjoy this city. Here are the things to do in Hiroshima!      

Visit the A-BOMB DOME, a World Heritage Site in Japan

At 8:15 am, August 6, 1945, an American B29 bomber dropped the world’s first atomic bombing. In December 1996, this dome was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to convey the horror of the first use of a nuclear weapon. Must-visit place in Hiroshima!

PEACE MEMORIAL PARK & PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM

Just 5 mins walk from the A-Bomb Dome, you can reach Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Every August 6, the Peace Memorial Ceremony is held here when we Japanese confront our past on this day. After strolling around the park, please visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum so that you can know about Hiroshimabefore & after the bombing as well as the horror of the nuclear weapons, where is one of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever visited.

Hiroshima’s local delight ”Spicy Cold Noodles” at KARABU!

It may sound weired, but having local delights is an essential part of travel for most Japanese. Hiroshima can also offer a variety of Japanese foods. I found a Spicy Cold Noodle restaurant near the Peace Memorial Park. If you like spicy items, this is a must-try item which can surely stimulate your taste bud!!

HIROSHIMA Castle

Hiroshima castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb blast, but was rebuilt in 1958. Even though this castle is not registered a world heritage site unlike Himeji Castle, this place helps you know more about the history of ancient Hiroshima. If you are a samurai geek like me, drop by this beautiful wooden castle!

Became a big fan of HIROSHIMA YAKI, Japanese cuisine of Hiroshima! !

When it comes to Okonomiyaki, translated as Japanese pizza or pancakes, many Japanese think that it is cuisine of the Kansai region including Osaka.  But it is not true when you come to Hiroshima. Hiroshima has a special food which looks like Okonomiyaki! Actually I became a big fan of this reasonable new Japanese pancake called Hiroshimayaki !! So Oishii  (Yummy)!! 

To be continued….. Explore Japan!