After a needed sea day to rest we arrived in the port of Hiroshima approximately 8AM. Though it was founded in the late 16th century, its tragic claim to fame as the first city to be eviscerated by a nuclear weapon has forever earned Hiroshima a significant place in world history.
We will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park but later in the day. First, we leave for the train station and headed for our ride on the Rail Star Bullet Train from Hiroshima to Iwakuni. This sleek train had just 8 cars and travelled at 285 miles per hour. It was so smooth we hardly felt any movement and the trip passed very quickly – so did the landscape! We did not want the trip to end.
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| Bullet Train |
Arriving in the small town of Iwakuni, we travelled to the Kintai Bridge, a place of scenic beauty; the Kintai-kyo spans the Nishikigawa River. Over 700 feet in length, its five graceful arches were built without the use of nails. Adjacent to the bridge, Kikko Park boasts beautiful gardens and a collection of historic samurai residences. The cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom and it will be gorgeous in another week. We fell in love with the old city of Iwakuni and its beauty and peace.
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| Kintai Bridge |
Our return to the city of Hiroshima took us to Hiroshima Castle, originally built in the 16th century. It was destroyed by a firestorm following the atomic blast. It was rebuilt in 1958.
Next we stopped at the Peace Memorial Park to view to area and the Atomic Bomb Dome. The old Industry Promotion Hall was one of the few buildings near Ground Zero to survive the blast, although its dome was vaporized, its gutted walls and skeletal dome structure stand as mute icons and powerful symbols of a weapon’s destructive force.
Today we were rewarded with the traditional Japanese lunch we have been waiting for and it did not disappoint. There were so many dishes, so colorful and tasty, we didn’t know where to start! After lunch we went outside to view the sacred Miyajima Island across the bay but alas, did not have time to visit. Next trip.
Sail away at 5PM. Next port will be Busan (Pusan) Korea.
