Day 07. Hiroshima and Miyajima.

I get up early. In Japan, wake up late means losing almost the entire day. And going as a tourist, and the expensive of the trip, I can´t afford it. At 7:30 am out of bed. The truth is that the capsule has stayed very well. After breakfast, and as the train to Hiroshima leaves at 10.: 30, give a tour of Dotombori, the area so excited last night. More specifically the street Shin Shai Basi Dori, full of shops. But it is too early yet, and there is only workers carrying goods, and all the shops closed.

I arrive in Hiroshima at 12, there is no hurry because I'm not going to visit all the town, only the memorial area of the atomic bomb, with a couple of hours I think I'll have enough.

Hiroshima.

At 8:15 pm on 06.08.1945, the city of Hiroshima was a victim of the world's first atomic bombing. Almost the entire town was razed, and thousands of lives lost. Many of those who survived suffered irreparable physical and psychological damage. If you want to know a little more about why Hiroshima and the bombing, follow the link, very interesting. It makes you think about how twisted and evil can become the human race.

In Hiroshima is located the Peace Memorial Museum, where they gather the belongings left by the families of the victims, photos and other objects that reflect the horror of the bombing. Visit is transported in time and is absolutely breathtaking. I had the opportunity to visit Auschwitz (Poland), the largest extermination center in the history of Nazism, and not really affected me as much as Hiroshima. Inside you will find this model of the city, showing how it was before and after the tragedy.


City before bomb.


And after...

In the Peace Memorial Park is the Bomb Dome, or the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few structures that remained standing after the explosion, and serves as the image of the city.


Bomb Dome



Also, apart from other memorials, is the "Flame of Peace", a flame that is always on, and only goes out when the last bomb of the Earth was destroyed.



The truth is that Hiroshima has become a modern city and completely rebuilt, where the atmosphere we breathe today doesn´t reflect the pain experienced by these families in the past.


Miyajima. (Sacred Island).

It is an island located 50 km from Hiroshima, known for its famous red torii, it exuberant nature, and its sacred deer sent by the gods. The torii is near the sea, and at high tide, is completely shot by the water, seeming to float, creating a magical effect. The town itself is quite small, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops.




You can see the famous Miyajima torii floating in the sea.





Before sunset, low tide, you can approach to the same torii.

Gigantic. Look at the people beside him seem ants.




After touring the town, relax in the ryokan, and a stroll through the shops, it's time to go back to the torii approaching. It's dark, and the environment now offers an impressive spectacle.


Deer sacred guarding access to the torii



Pictures can´t reflect the beauty of the place.


After a long tour of the island, soaking up the island´s peace, and despite not being too late, at 19 going into the ryokan. Everything is closed, not even open restaurants or bars in which having dinner. So, with the empty stomach, I lie down until morning.