EPTWe stayed at a place called the "World Friendship Center" located slightly west of the Peace Park, about a 20-minute walk. The place was clean and very cheap, if you ever decide to go to Hiroshima, send me a PM and I'll provide you with more information
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This is perhaps the most famous tourist spot in Hiroshima - A-Bomb Dome (gen-baku Dome). This building is extremely close to where the bomb was dropped, and it withstood the enormous heat and vertical pressure given off by the bomb. All other surviving buildings have either been torn down or severely renovated, except this building.
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This structure is near the centre of the Peace Memorial Park. The structure contains a concrete case in the centre, which contains books with the names of those who were killed by the bomb. Every year, during the Peace Memorial Day, the case is opened, and more names are being added (some survivors are still dying of radiation). The saddle-shaped monument is taken from Japanese folk lore in which people ride horses with such saddles to heaven (I think...)
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Flame of Peace. The flame will always be lit until all countries in the world abandon nuclear weapons. Also, it is slightly harder to see, but there is water on the other end connecting the flame of peace to the aforementioned monument. The water is called "Pond of Peace", and there is always water because, after the bomb was dropped, people were desperately trying to obtain water. A very common motif in the park.
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A statue dedicated to a child who died of radiation - Sadako San. Sadako initially survived the bomb, however, when she was twelve, she began to become sick, and her body's white blood-cells would double or triple on odd days. She did not want to die, so she decided to fold paper cranes because 1000 paper cranes could grant one wish. Underneath the monument, there are cases displaying paper cranes sent in by people all over the world.
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During the war, there were a lot of Koreans being forced to work in Hiroshima and tens of thousands of Koreans were killed by the bomb as well. This monument was created with Korean rocks, and the turtle is a typical theme as the dead ride turtles to heaven according to Korean lores. The monument was initially located outside of the park, and was recently moved inside.
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Peace Bell donated by Greece. Notice the nucleus on the bell.
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A structure combining four religions -- mourning for all people who died because of the bomb.
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A museum inside of the park. The clock face shows 8:15 - the time when the bomb was dropped. Another motif in the park.
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Aside from its depressing history, Hiroshima offers great okonomiyakis. Hiroshima's okonomiyakis are slightly different from Kansai (Osaka) style. The toppings for okonomiyakis in Hiroshima are layered rather than mixed, hence giving it a better texture.
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Okonomiyaki #1
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Okonomiyaki #2
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Okonomiyaki #3
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And this is where we stayed...
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Day 2: Miyajima
Miyajima is famous for quite a few things: wild deers, maple leafs, maple leaf buns, crafts made out of wood, oysters, and finally, the big Tori.
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A wild deer angrily glaring at me...
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Ootori. When we first go there, it was low tides, so you can actually see the base of the tori, and it loses its "floating" effect. However, when it is low tides, a thing to do is to walk up to it, and try to stick a coin into one of its many cracks. It is believed to bring good fortune.
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And that is exactly what I did...
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Momiji bun. A maple leaf shaped bun containing some form of sweet inside. I really like them.
Moving onto the main dish - oysters... We went to the most popular oyster restaurant on the island (in business for 60 years iirc), and they were absolutely delicious.
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Raw.
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Onigiri
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Boiled and topped on rice.
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My favourite - grilled
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Deep fried.
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Finally, right before we left, the tides rose a little bit, and you can somewhat see the tori float...
