Riding the Shinkansen from Shin Osaka station to Hiroshima was an absolute dream come true, travelling so fast with the clearest and most beautiful views of Japan. I didn’t want to leave the train because I was having so much fun looking out of the window, I even managed to spot the most beautiful Japanese castle.
I’ll admit, Hiroshima didn’t initially make the list when I was planning my route through Japan, it was only added because it was a convenient stopping point on the way to Miyajima Island. Upon arrival into Hiroshima I had done no research into the area, other than finding out how to get to my hotel. I was reunited with my suitcase when I reached my hotel and after I abandoned it (once again) in my room, I headed out to explore the city. I chose to head towards the centre by riding on the tram so I could get my bearings.
I got off the tram at Kamiyacho-nishi, the stop for the Atomic bomb dome. Sadly I didn’t realise how close I was to Hiroshima Castle another place I would have loved to visit but didn’t have enough time to get there. Leaving a city with a list of places to visit is a really bad habit of mine, I really should plan my trips a little better. The atomic bomb dome is visible as soon as you get off the tram, you don’t even have to search for it and the strangest part is how it fits perfectly with it’s surroundings. I’m not sure how you are meant to feel when visiting these types of places, my photographer refuses to visit any of the World War 2 sites in Europe because it hits too close to home. Sitting on the riverside next to modern skyscrapers and a beautiful park is a reminder of how cruel humans can be, a lot of countries would have demolished this shell to hide the dark past but it stands proud. I walked across the bridge to and into Hiroshima Peace park which is as peaceful as it’s name.
My photographer was completely silent as we walked through the park, its not often that happens but it causes profound silence when it happens. The park is built over what was once a bustling residential area, sadly the humans are gone but nature has reclaimed the area as her own. People were walking over the grassy areas but I chose to stick to the paths because I didn’t want to walk over any unmarked graves (a weird superstition I have gained from my photographer).
The park is huge and near the bridge is a glass building and a huge statue dedicated to all the victims who were children. I made a small paper crane (I know it really looks more like a confused swan) which is meant to represent hope and peace. I like how all of the cranes are modelled into images and are displayed in glass cases around the children’s memorial.
My favourite part of the whole area was the flame of peace which will burn until all nuclear weapons are destroyed. I like how it is surrounded by water and creates a stark contrast to the surrounding greenery. My furry blue brain just doesn’t understand why there are humans who would want to make weapons that cause such massive destruction. I’d like to see this flame go out one day and then we can all live in peace. After a while my photographer and I decided we would like to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. I learned a lot during my visit to the museum and the exhibit has some really emotive pieces such as clothing and a step with the shadow of a human embedded in it. The artwork depicting the fire and acid rain made me really emotional because the colours really brought the event to life. There are only a handful of coloured images throughout the exhibit and they really stand out. I made my way through the exhibit slowly, learning a lot but I was really shocked to see groups of young Japanese people visiting the museum. It’s nice to see the younger generations want to know about the area they live in, it makes me realise how little I know about the history of England.
The main part of the museum ends and then you are led to a walkway which is all glass along one side and has the most beautiful view of Hiroshima and the surrounding mountains. As I stood on the windowsill (rebelling against the signs) I realised I really like Hiroshima and really wish I had longer to stay and explore the city. Japanese cities seem to have the perfect combination of greenery and skyscrapers to make every view really picturesque.
Strangely the museum was absolutely freezing so I headed back outside into the humidity to defrost my furry blue toes. This area of Hiroshima is absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed sitting in the park near the fountain because the temperature was cooling to a more bearable 34 degrees. After a while, I realised my photographer was once again hungry (so was I who am I kidding) so we headed back into the city with the noble aim of finding something delicious for dinner.
Okonomimura, a multi-storey building in Shintenchi, was the destination of choice because I have always wanted to eat food straight off the cooker and you can’t visit Japan without trying Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes). The building has four floors of teppan restaurants specialising in Hiroshima style okonomiyaki, a stark contrast to the huge restaurants which take up a whole building or floor in the UK. I decided to go to a restaurant on the 4th floor which has a reputation of being visited by celebrities and has a small but delicious menu.
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake dish which is usually made up of egg, noodles, cabbage, beansprouts, meat, seafood and a sauce which is similar to teriyaki. It is delicious and can be made vegetarian or vegan if you remove the egg. I asked for the meat and seafood to be removed from my dish and it was delicious, the chef even made mine on a separate part of the teppan which had not been touched by any animal products. This was one of the best meals I ate in Japan and it was also one of the most unique.
Upon leaving the restaurant I decided to walk off my huge meal and spent the evening wandering around the streets of Hiroshima which took me back towards my hotel. Japan is incredibly safe (if you don’t do anything reckless) and I loved being able to go out and see the city lights at night without worrying about being a foreigner. I made my way to a tram stop and jumped on board one which took me to Hiroshima station and from there I walked back to my hotel room (after a trip to 7eleven to stock up on snacks) for a well earned snooze after another day of walking 28,000 steps.
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