Hiroshima: Where Peace Happens

Hiroshima is literally a city that has risen from ashes.  History may have not been on this city’s side during WWII but that totally changed.  Now, it is a city that is thriving and blossoming.  I was amazed at how the people of Hiroshima were able to rebuild the city while retaining its core heritage.  The bridges were paved mightily and road trains were still the best way to go around.  Peace truly has a unique way of making things happen.

 

Kodama! The Kodama is the slowest Shinkansen at roughly 270km/h but as a first timer, I really liked how the speed was subtle.

An amazing thing about the Shinkansen was the revolving seats which allowed me to face friends. Eating and drinking is allowed on the Shinkansen!

Touchdown at Hiroshima Station! The entire trip took about 2.5 hours.

We were starving so Hiroshima-Yaki happened! The difference with a regular Okonomiyaki was that it had considerably more cabbage, was somehow layered, and more delicious than Osaka’s Okonomiyaki. This one should set you back about 750 yen. Oishi desu!

The train stations of Hiroshima were just few and tourist-friendly. Going to the Peace Museum (Genbaku Doma-mae) costs about 160 Yen.

Choo-choo! First road train ride ever!

Look at that cool brown cockpit!

A brief history of the significance of the A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome).

It used to be an exhibition hall where the city’s products, both traditional and modern, were showcased. The walls were really melted in a very unique way.

On the way to the Peace Museum. It had a majestic garden in front of it. I could not bear to take pictures of what was inside though. I would just leave it for you to see on your own. It was very sad.

The pristine Ota River which is another one of Japan’s beautiful rivers.

Hiroshima Castle! We were fortunate enough because students get in for free! So don’t forget your ID! For tourists, it costs around 800 Yen to go to the top.  It will be worth it. There’s so many things to see inside! Especially Samurai equipment and other historical Japanese artifacts.

The breathtaking view at the top of Hiroshima Castle. It takes around 6 flights of stairs to get here.

Hiroshima Castle with the lights on.

As a huge Japanese car fan, I could not help drooling over this awesome R31 Skyline. The stance was perfect and I could tell that the car had seen some drifting action based on the tires and the fender scratches.