Nihon

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.

At 7 am, begins one of the most enjoyable days in Japan. After breakfast, I send the giant backpack to Kanazawa, a city where I will arrive two days later, because I'm going to move a lot these two days and I will not be loaded weight.

After sending my backpack and take the train, arrived at 10 in Osaka.

Osaka is Japan's third largest city with a population of nearly 3 million people, and besides of being one of the centers and major industrial ports of Japan, is one of the most visited tourist destinations. This is what gave himself the day:

Osaka´s Castle

Building started in 1583, with over 60,000 workers forced to bring vast quantities of stone around. The castle was decorated with gold and silver and priceless treasures. During World War II bombs destroyed the castle and later, in 1950, what remained of it was destroyed by a typhoon. In 1995 he was restored, giving the appearance that you can see now.

It is surrounded by spacious gardens, and beyond, skyscrapers that make the contrast look like you're in two different cities at once.

From there, and as it was very good day, I went to visit an outdoor museum of traditional Japanese farm. It was on the other side of town, but I wanted to go there. He was in a great park, plenty of families who had gone to spend the day, because it was a holiday.

Tipìcal Japanese traditional farm.

After seeing the museum, I decide to eat at a restaurant in the metro station. It was a little expensive (1200Y, about 10 €) but it was worth. Everything was very good.

I arrive at the aquarium. It´s near the port area. Considered one of the largest aquariums in the world, it contains thousands of marine species, reptiles, birds and invertebrates. Next to the aquarium is the giant Ferris wheel, which makes the view of the city, especially at night, impressive. Though I had another plans to see the city at night ...

Emperor penguins

Sea spiders...

Very interesting. It´s over 4 in the afternoon and night is becoming. I have little time to get to downtown, and ascend to heaven before the sun sets, in order to witness one of the best views of the city. I arrive just in time.

Umeda Sky Observatory Building.

It is the landmark of Osaka, very futuristic, has an upstairs balcony that offers stunning 360 degree views of the city of Osaka. Located on the 40th floor, at an altitude of 173 meters.

From the observatory you can see very odd as this: a highway crossing a building ... (Photo provided by Mr. Google).

I manage to reach the observatory just before sunset, allowing me to take these great shots. With a tripod would have been much better, but...

Inside the observatory. Full of lovebirds watching the sunset.

Sunset observed by the before mentioned lovebirds.

Ooohhhhhh.....

After being very cold up there, the descent of the observatory keeps me pleasantly surprised. The meeting with Kath, a little Chinese girl on a pleasure trip that after exchanging a few words about how nice it was that, we choose the shopping area of Osaka, Dotombori, for a walk and dinner together.

Dotombori.

It is one of the liveliest areas of Osaka. Filled with restaurants, theaters, shops and nightlife is the main artery of the city and one of its main areas. Some of the restaurants where they serve fugu (blowfish) can be found here.

As a curiosity, indicate that Japanese restaurants that want to serve fugu need a special license authorizing them, usually the chef needs a special diploma credited as an expert in "preparing fugu so as not to cut any gland (ovaries, liver) that spread the poison. " There are certain chefs who believe that "a little" fugu venom is very, very tasty and leave tiny amounts of poison is not lethal, causing a numbness of the tongue and lips (and intrigue that perhaps the chef has miscalculated). Death of fugu poisoning is bad enough (as they say ...). The venom paralyzes the nervous system but does not enter the bloodstream, so the victim is fully conscious but is slowly losing mobility in the muscles to the point of being unable to speak. Eventually dies from asphyxiation. Wow ...

I didn´t want to try it, partly because of its high price, because they say it has little flavor, and has a gelatinous and cartilage texture, that is not very nice to Westerners. The venom is not important, pscheee ...

Detail of one of the fugu´s restaurants (indicated with a giant fish).

Kath in Dotombori.

Me in Dotombori.

I still remember the taste of these spicy ramen ... uffff (very nice, Kath).

The waitress was not very good pulse, wasn´t she?

Once had dinner, Kath had plans with a friend (I would had liked being more time with you, yon know?), and I went to one of Japan's largest spa, the Spa World.

Balneario Spa World.

It's a kind of hotel, with reception on the ground floor, and Spa is located on floors 6 and 7. The 6th floor has western settings, and the 7th east. Womens have a month on a plant and the other men. The following month, change. Men had the eastern plant, and it´s enormous. It has a lot of baths at different temperatures, saunas, showers, ice, massage chairs (I could not avoid the temptation to try one for 100 Y). I was with a couple of Australian guys who were living in Osaka and worked at Universal Studios (theme park in Osaka).

Entrance to Spa World. For 1000Y a world of pleasure.

Very nice! And now to find a hotel. In Osaka I had no reservation, because I wanted to spend the night in one of the capsule hotels of the city, and it didn´t need reservation.

Capsule hotel.

Quite unique, and a highly recommended experience at least once in your life. These dwellings are 1 meter wide, 1 high, 2 meters long. When you get to the hotel, you take off your shoes, you sign up, and give you the key to your locker, where you have to take off whatever you wear, and change your clothes for a yukata to sleep. Once changed, get on the floor where is your dish, and little else ... each floor has a lounge with TV and beverage machines, some toilets and showers. I stayed in the AMZA Hotel.