4 Prefectures in 4 days Solo Exploration(Kyoto-Hiroshima) PART2

[Raika]

For PART2 *viewer discretion is advised*

DAY3

Upon arrival at the Hiroshima City Center, I went straight to 「Mitsui Garden Hotel Hiroshima」and stored my luggage because by that time it was still too early for check-in.

I highly recommend this hotel for the following reasons:

① Super close to the historical sites

② Top Floor Lounge with  panoramic view of the city

③ Depending on the time of the day, the hotel offers complimentary snacks and drinks exclusive to the guests.

The bathroom was a bit outdated but the cleanliness and the view of the city from my room is chef's kiss so I don't really mind at all. 

I stayed on the 16th floor.

As soon as I left my luggage, I made my way to Miyajima(宮島）、a small island in Hiroshima Bay. 

Hokokujinja Senjokaku Pavilion

Itsukushima Jinja Tahoto Pagoda

Entrance to Itsukushima Jinja

Daishoin

Henjo Cave 遍照窟

There’s this place called Reikado 霊火堂 where a flame called “Unquenchable fire” has been burning for about 1200 years and is still burning to this very moment. You can get through the ropeway but unfortunately during my visit, it was out of service for yearly inspection. It’s possible to get there on foot but it will take about an hour.

After a long full day trip, I went back to the hotel to check-in.

The View ✨

I went up the Lounge and made myself comfortable with the complimentary snacks and drinks combined with the breathtaking view of the city.

As I was about to end my day, at the last minute I decided to visit the 「Peace Memorial Park」during the night to see the 「Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph」, the 「Flame of Peace」 and the 「Atomic Bomb Dome」.

Since it gets really crowded during the day, I took the chance to visit during late hours to feel and experience the solemn atmosphere.

Based from the review of other tourists, it gives off different vibes during the dark hours and is worth visiting.   

Recently Japan has been facing over tourism, I thought the site will be filled with tourists but I was wrong. I was the only person in the area.

As I was slowly heading towards「Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph」, I decided to film a video. Suddenly as I was walking, I felt a presence of two people walking behind me as if being very cautious as not to disturb my recording. Since I don't want to keep anyone waiting, I sped up my walk. Once I reached the Cenotaph, I immediately cut the video and moved aside to give those two people a path to walk through. I was expecting someone to move forward but nobody did. So I slowly looked over my shoulder and nobody was there. I was alone. all. this. time.

I just brushed it off but even when I reached the 「Flame of Peace」, I felt like i was being surrounded by a very strong presence that I can not see. Not just 2, even more. Surprisingly, I wasn't scared. But I know they are there. I wish I made this one up but I'm not. It is definitely a night I will never ever forget.

Atomic Bomb Dome

Children’s Peace Monument

More monuments

Post Box found inside the Peace Memorial Park

DAY4

As this adventure has almost comes to an end, I went to visit the 「Hiroshima Castle 」and the 「Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum」

Breakfast to kick start my day! 💪🏻

Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima

Hiroshima Castle 🏯let’s gooo!!

Giving Kimetsu no Yaiba Vibes✨

View of the city from the top floor

This tree has survived the atomic bomb explosion 

Gates of Peace 

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

If you really want to immerse yourself, you might need to stay around 2 hours here.

Glass shards pierced into the walls after the atomic bomb explosion

Size of the bomb compared to humans

Young Victims of the Atom Explosion 

Shadow of a sitting man imprinted after death

Fused lump containing human bones

The heat intensity of the explosion was so high it fused the small glasses into lump

Medical Supplies

“My younger sister was burned like a leaf of a tree. “

Lunch Box of a student who perished

Paper cranes folded by Sadako 

Seeing all what was left by the survivors and victims, the thought alone of what they had seen through their eyes, seeing the hellish fire engulfed their beloved home and their youth being taken away too early will forever be deeply engraved into my soul.

I pray that in the after life, they will find their peace in their forever home. 🕊️

****

After a very long trip, i took the Shinkansen to head back to Tokyo. 📸✌🏻

So my journey ends here. It was crazy and it is my greatest pleasure to share mine with you all!  I wish you an even crazier adventure worth remembering and spilling over a cup of tea.

See you on my next Travelogue! Signing off. 

[홍유진]

I just saw pic, it looks like interesting~!!😆

[이륜건]

広島は行くたびに良い気分転換になります！
宮島は秋も素敵ですのでまた行く機会があればぜひ秋に行ってみてください！

[와쿠다 리온]

岡山の美観地区一度行ってみたいです💭
宮島の戒壇巡りもおすすめですので次回行かれる際は是非体験してみてください！

[문지현]

東京→京都→神戸→倉敷→広島→東京　すごい移動でしたね！読んでるだけで一緒に旅している感じになりました☺
仕事のときは仕事、休みの時はこうやって息抜きしながらメリハリをつけることはとっても大事なことだなとつくづく思います。
次回の旅行記も楽しみにしますね！本当にお疲れ様でした✨