Hiroshima - Tokyo - SFO - Home

Last day is a doozy. We left Hiroshima in the early afternoon, then a 5 hr train to Tokyo, then a 10 hr flight to SFO and then another shorter flight to ABQ and the drive home. All in one day!

Dexter plays his last claw games.

Enjoying the small air conditioned waiting area for the trains in Hiroshima.

Passing the Hiroshima Carps stadium. 

In Tokyo, we transferred to the local train. A lot of trains here with painted spots everywhere telling you where to stand for specific trains. 

Onto the plane.

We are heading home.

Airport tram at SFO to get over to the domestic terminals. Phew what a day.

Hiroshima - Bomb Sites, Museum, Shukkeien Garden, Delicious Food

In the morning we embarked on a full day seeing the many facets of Hiroshima. 

First we went to see the memorial area of the atomic bombing that occurred here at the end of WWII. It was striking and somber. Here is the famous dome which was one of the only remaining buildings in the detonation zone.

This monument is for students who were working to help build firebreaks in the city in the event of firebombing. Thousands of them were killed when the bomb went off.

The dome.

Another view.

Ringing the peace bell.

Most of the memorials are in a straight line. The museum can be seen here. We went through the museum which does a wonderful job of making real the impact of the bomb on the people here.

This is the memorial to all the victims with the view of the dome through the center of monument.

After all that sadness, we needed some yummy food in our lives. This place delivered.

Bibs mandatory.

GLet's eat!

Yum.

Onto the bus over to a lovely garden.

This is Shukkeien Garden. 

A lovely mellow spot.

Enjoying the view.

Beautiful.

More views.

Dexter made friends with some pigeons.

Enjoying the walkways.

Dexter's new friend.

Chillin garden style.

Maya getting instagram-y.

Lovely.

Next stop shopping!!

We still hadn't had Okonomiyaki while in Japan and this place was highly recommended for that. It was so worth it.

An amazing treat.

So good.

Walking home past Hiroshima Castle.

Enjoying some of the underground passageways.

Back at our hotel for our last night in Japan.

Miyajima - Mt. Misen, Oysters, and Return to Hiroshima

We are only staying one night in Miyajima. Then we were off for some hiking enjoying of the island before heading back to Hiroshima. 

Our room. Very comfortable.

A quick breakfast.

Wow!

We walked to the Miyajima Ropeway where we got on a gondola up Mt. Misen.

Gondola pals.

It's hot out again, but we were determined to walk down the mountain as planned.

In the Reikado Hall near the top of the mountain, there is a giant pot of water heated by a flame that has been lit for over 1200 years. The water is supposed have healing powers so Kearsley gave it a try.

Hot out here.

View from the summit.

Lovely.

Us two.

Heading down the long trail.

Finding a waterfall and soaking our hot feet.

Dexter as we reached Daishoin Temple. 

Many statues of enlightened disciples of Buddha welcome us. The red hats are there to ward off evil.

500 of them in total.

Lovely place.

Stop for oysters on the way back.

They are HUGE and pretty delicious.

After all the fun, we are ready to head back to Hiroshima. Back on the ferry.

Goodbye Miyajima.

Time to get back on the train.

Welcome to Hiroshima. 

Pizza dinner - actually very good - at this hip spot in our hotel.