which makes it very easy! Itinerary: half day trip to Himeji Castle, a
day in Hiroshima and an evening and half day on Miyajima Island.
1. Miyajima island (off Hiroshima) - this was an amazing experience for
two main reasons. The island itself has lots of great sites. The main
one is Itsukushima temple, but my highlight was the Daisho-in temple,
which is stunning. It has many religious and architectural influences,
so it has unusual buildings and colourful shrines at every turn.
Photos to follow. We also went on the cable car to the top of Mt.
Misun. Shame about the fog!
The second highlight of the stay was a night in a Ryokan, which is a
traditional Japanese hotel. When you arrive the room only has a low
table with complimentary green tea and cakes (maple leaf cake - a
speciality of the region; not only for Canada!) Once you have bathed
in the traditional soak bath and donned your kimono you are served a
classic Japanese dinner (amazing sashimi!) During dinner your bed
(mattress directly on the floor but amazingly comfortable) is laid
out. The whole experience is governed by very strict rules handed down
generation by generation (eg. no shoes indoors, no slippers on the
tatami (straw mats on the bedroom floor), kimono folded left over
right) but was all the more fun for it. Would recommend the Mojimi-so
ryokan, run by a very friendly Japanese gran!
2. Hejimi castle - stunning views of this castle (12th to 17th
century) as you approach from the station. Beautifully preserved. A
breathtaking glimpse into the Samurai world (despite 'The Last
Samurai' and Tom Cruise's attempts to ruin it!)
3. A-bomb dome - the highlight of the numerous A-bomb memorials in
Hiroshima. Because this building (originally a 1910s industrial expo
centre) was almost immediately under the blast the structure survived,
but only as a skeleton. It is beautiful in a sad way and poignant as a
reminder of both destruction but also in contrast to the new buildings
around it; life ultimately winning out over death.
The A-bomb dome is just across the river from the peace park, which
includes some other interesting stuff. The main memorial to the dead
is tastefully done and worth a visit and the Children's memorial is
the most attractive (covered in colourful cranes -a symbol of peace in
Hiroshima) of the many memorials to individual groups affected.
The Museum is not everything it could be and is more school text book
than world class museum but is interesting enough and is worth a visit
to see the affects of radiation on a large collection of normal
household objects. We also went to a couple of art museums
(Prefectural & Contemporary). The collections are ok. Occasional A-
bomb inspired pieces make them worth a visit.
4. Okonomiyaki - this is a Hiroshima speciality. It is a savoury
layered pancake filled with the fillings of your choice. The one I had
was filled with cabbage, pork, bean sprouts, udon noodles and topped
with egg and Okonmiyaki sauce. It is prepared in the kitchen and then
cooked on a hot grill on your table. Not for the calorie conscious but
absolutely delicious!
5. Bullet trains - clean, fast, spacious (corridors and legroom) and
unbelievably punctual. The buffet trolley staff and the ticket
collectors bow when they come into the carriages. A real pleasure to
travel on. Took me flawlessly to Kyoto where I am writing this blog.....
I too, stayed at a Ryokan on Miyajim island. (Momojiso) It was an awesome experience and I am hoping to make it back there again. The deer were cute at first until they started eating my shirt. The soft serve ice cream is great.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing, at dinner at the Ryokan, the lady servings us made us eat everything on our plates!