Most Productive Trip Ever: Day 1, Hiroshima

On Sunday morning we got up bright and early to get to Hiroshima. First, we went to Miyajima, where we saw huge orange torii in the water. It was really amazing to finally see it, I think it's a relatively famous shrine that a lot of people know about. It was low tide (and rising) so we waded out to it and touched it and it was really cool. Afterwards, we wandered through the shrine in awe at the beauty of the island and the view.

After Miyajima, we headed to the A-Bomb Dome in the Peace Park. We saw the ruins of a building that was still standing after the atomic bomb was dropped, though now it's just spindly skeleton of a building. There are a lot of very contemplative monuments in the park and it has a really chilled out atmosphere. I think my favorite bit was the arches "peace" written in different languages on it.

Kristen and Andrew had been thinking about going to a baseball game while were in Hiroshima, and we could hear the cheering from the park, as the baseball stadium was right across the street. I was supposed to leave and start heading for Kobe to get to my hotel for the conference, but I'd never been to a baseball game before, even in America, so I figured why the heck not and went with them. We got 1500 yen outfield seats and the experience was quite a spectacle. I can't compare it to an American baseball game because I've never been to one, but K and A said that it was more lively and that people cheer constantly here in Japan. It was amazing, this sort of organized cheering that included lots of hand clapping, flag waving, and the other team had brought their own cheering squad and trumpet players. We ate yakisoba (fried noodles, kind of like chow mein I guess) for dinner. Part of the reason we went to the game was just to see what people eat at Japanese baseball games. So yeah, no hot dogs or garlic fries, but yakisoba, onigiri (rice balls), bento boxes. But lots of Asahi beer.















Kristen and Andrew leaving my apartment. The time went by too quickly!

















At Ogawa Station waiting for the train.

















On the ferry to Miyajima.

















This cute little baby was running around trying to pat the deer on Miyajima (I swear, Japan and it's deer....they have em in Nara too). She would toddle after them, then with her little baby hands pat them in a way that looked like she was more smacking them with force, but not intentionally, I think. It was adorable.

















Whew it's hot and I'm sweaty! Andrew tasting his first POCARI SWEAT drink. We've since decided that between Pocari Sweat (least sweet), Aquarius (middling), and Dakara (most sweet), Aquarius is the refreshing winner.

















The triple threat in front of Miyajima torii.

















Me, having waded out to the torii. It's so beautiful, and I love how organically shaped it is. I think they used an actual, unrefined tree trunk for this torii.

















Admiring it from the beach.

















The A-bomb dome at the Memorial Peace Park. The story with this is that the bomb exploded right above this building and basically gutted it, so it was left up as a reminder of the event.

















Arches at the park with the word for "Peace" etched in different languages.















Close up

















Origami at the Peace Park































Hiroshima Carp baseball game. Looks pretty normal to me until you see...

















The cheerleaders in pink happi coats that say "Ladies"

















Andrew and Kristen with Asahi beer and yummy yakisoba.

















The opposing team's cheering squad complete with happi-coated men and big drums.

















The crowd blowing up balloons at the start of the 7th inning...

















And letting them fly!


Hiroshima's a nice little place, would definitely go back and visit again. Miyajima was particularly amazing and moving. And I guess now I have to go to a baseball game when I get back to the States. A's game, anyone?