DinkLife

Hey, it’s Wes and Chanda, and welcome to DinkLife! Today, we’re continuing our Japan travel series. In this episode, we’re going to talk about our day trip to Hiroshima. It wasn’t the happiest of days, but we believe that history is important and shouldn’t be ignored. We’ve been to places like Pearl Harbor and the Holocaust Museum, and visiting Hiroshima felt like something we needed to do.

Our day started early 6 am as it was our last full day in Osaka. To start the day we shipped our luggage back to Tokyo. Our hotel in Osaka didn’t provide this service this early, but luckily, there was a Lawson’s store right below the hotel. Wes took care of shipping the luggage, and the process was smooth. The Lawson’s staff was helpful, even though there was a bit of a language barrier. We shipped our bags and were able to continue our journey without the hassle of carrying them around.

After shipping our luggage, we headed to Shin-Osaka station and took a bullet train to Hiroshima. The journey took about an hour and 20 minutes, with a couple of stops along the way. Once we arrived in Hiroshima, we noticed they had street trolleys similar to those in San Francisco. They were a convenient mode of transportation, albeit with many stops. It took us around 20 minutes and several stops to reach the Peace Park.

Hiroshima is a city that has been rebuilt since 1945. It’s a strange feeling to be in a place where everything was destroyed and had to be reconstructed. The entire city has a peaceful vibe, and the people want to promote peace and harmony. We felt a mixture of emotions as we explored the Peace Park. The park features a river running through it, beautiful trees, and numerous monuments and statues.

One prominent landmark in the Peace Park is the Atomic Dome, the only building left standing from the atomic bomb blast. It’s a historic monument that stands as a reminder of the devastation caused. We also encountered an eternal flame, which they pledged to keep burning until nuclear weapons no longer exist in the world.

From there, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The admission fee was surprisingly affordable, around 250 yen (less than $2). The museum tour was emotionally intense and lasted for about two hours. It showcased the impact of the atomic bomb on the city and its residents. It was a heartbreaking experience, and we found ourselves in tears. However, it’s an essential visit that everyone should make to understand the magnitude of what happened.

After leaving the museum, we needed some time to compose ourselves and clear our minds. It was lunchtime, and we remembered seeing a vlog where a couple had eaten at Okonomimura, a multi-level food court. We decided to try Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, a delicious dish with noodles, pancake, scallions, bacon, and a special sauce. It was a filling and tasty meal, and we highly recommend trying it if you visit Hiroshima.

Following our meal, we explored the local covered shopping arcade, where we found various stalls selling a wide range of items. We couldn’t resist checking out the gacha machines and even came across a karaoke bar where you could dress up in costumes and sing. We had a great time exploring the arcade and enjoying the unique offerings.

We took a stroll through Shukkei-en Gardens, a stunning park in the middle of the city.

Shukkei-en Gardens, a stunning park in the middle of the city. It’s a traditional Japanese garden with beautiful landscapes, ponds, bridges, and meticulously pruned trees. Walking through the garden was incredibly serene and peaceful, allowing us to reflect on our day and find solace in the beauty of nature.

After spending some time in the gardens,

As the day came to a close, we made our way back to the train station to catch the bullet train back to Osaka. Reflecting on our day, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to visit Hiroshima and pay our respects to the victims of the atomic bomb.

Hiroshima is a city that has rebuilt itself from the ashes and now stands as a symbol of peace and resilience. It’s a place that reminds us of the importance of unity, understanding, and the pursuit of a world free from nuclear weapons.

That wraps up our day trip to Hiroshima. It was a sobering experience, but one that left a lasting impact on us. We hope you found this episode informative and inspiring. As always, whatever you decide to do just get out there and do it!