Miyajima and Hiroshima

Another great day, starting out for the bullet train at 7 am with our 7 day rail pass. The bullet train was very smooth and fast although it didn’t seem so. On arrival we got a street car to the Peace Park, passing the ruined building near where the epicentre was, then went to the eternal flame that won’t go out till there are no more nuclear weapons. The museum gave a history of the development of the bomb, the lead up to its use and there were pictures of Hiroshima before and after the devastation. We watched a 1970s film of people describing their personal experience, which was harrowing, as you’d expect.

We grabbed a quick sandwich in a coffee shop for lunch then got a street car and train to the 10 minute ferry for Miyajima, a small hilly, wooded island off the coast. Although the day started cool and overcast by afternoon we were shedding our layers. First we walked to see the O-Torii dating from 1168 - another orange Blip! It stands in the sea and at high tide appears to be floating. We looked at some enormous carp in a pool below a little waterfall. After that we walked in woodland paths at the foot of Mt Mizen, crossing a pretty red bridge going over the tumbling stream coming down the mountain. We carried on up the hill to look for the Daishoin Temple, the headquarters of the Omuro Branch of the Shingon denomination of Buddhism. There were hundreds of little stone Buddha’s wearing crochet hats. On the way we got a good view down to the Floating gate. We had to hurry back to get the 4.30 ferry, then the train. Near the station we got some Hiroshima pancakes - they were cooked on a hot plate in front of us. After spreading the batter, some cabbage, bonito flakes and bean sprouts were piled on, then some other stuff. A pile of noodles were warmed on the hot plate. The cook cracked an egg and flattened it, and after it was cooked flipped the pancake and contents over, added seaweed and spring onions and the noodles, topped with a sweet sesame sauce and it was ready. Cost about £5, the same as the beer that went with it.

Then it was off to get the 7.20 bullet train to Osaka, where we changed to a slower train to get back to Kyoto around 10 pm.

Another amazing day. Another 7 miles on hard surfaces so I’m on painkillers for my foot.

Sorry I have had no time yet to look at Blip journals.