Today we had a similar breakfast to that at the Ryogoku View Hotel, unfortunately the lifts weren't as reliable. After a brief delay we headed towards the train station, to catch a boat to the famous Miyajima Island. The island has large mountains, countless deer and a small population of just over 1000. The main feature of the island however was the Otorii gate, which was constructed in the 1800s and stands around 75 meters from the shrine. Miyajima also has a ropeway that takes you to the tallest point of the island, or if you were brave or fit enough you could walk the summit, which usually takes around 2 hours. But with restricted time we were not able to do either, but there was other things to do. The island houses multiple shops and restaurants, including delicious maple cakes, which are on display when made.
Later in the day we headed to the Hiroshima Peace Park, to learn about the first use of an atomic weapon. The Hiroshima dome, which is the closest building to the epicenter which was still standing, is featured on the World Heritage List, along with the Otorii Gate. Akiko guided us through the park, showing us the Peace Bell, Sakoda's Statue (where we placed our paper cranes we made yesterday) and the Eternal Flame, which will continue to burn until all nuclear weapons are destroyed. Akiko finally showed us a tree which was the first to grow back after the bomb was dropped. Here we said goodbye to Akiko, who had been a very helpful guide since we had left Tokyo. After this we headed into the Atomic Bomb museum, where a variety of recollections, items and models about and from the disaster. Many were overwhelmed with what they saw, and tried to leave as soon as possible. Those who managed to get through the whole museum, were shocked by the amount of suffering and emotional pain the people of Hiroshima have had to face in the last 71 years.
Overall today was a day of excitement, knowledge and understanding of the history of Japan, with dinner at a sushi train to finish it off.
Later in the day we headed to the Hiroshima Peace Park, to learn about the first use of an atomic weapon. The Hiroshima dome, which is the closest building to the epicenter which was still standing, is featured on the World Heritage List, along with the Otorii Gate. Akiko guided us through the park, showing us the Peace Bell, Sakoda's Statue (where we placed our paper cranes we made yesterday) and the Eternal Flame, which will continue to burn until all nuclear weapons are destroyed. Akiko finally showed us a tree which was the first to grow back after the bomb was dropped. Here we said goodbye to Akiko, who had been a very helpful guide since we had left Tokyo. After this we headed into the Atomic Bomb museum, where a variety of recollections, items and models about and from the disaster. Many were overwhelmed with what they saw, and tried to leave as soon as possible. Those who managed to get through the whole museum, were shocked by the amount of suffering and emotional pain the people of Hiroshima have had to face in the last 71 years.
Overall today was a day of excitement, knowledge and understanding of the history of Japan, with dinner at a sushi train to finish it off.