Hey Hive!
If you missed the last couple of posts, we just started recounting our trip to Hiroshima back in April 2019! Sean had won some free air tickets to Hiroshima from a lucky draw sponsored by one of the local banks in Singapore, DBS! Since we've never been, we decided that was a good chance to explore the Chūgoku region!
Last week, we used our JR pass aka bullet train pass to go visit Okayama; specifically Kōraku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan! After we visited the very pretty Sakura Grove we walked around the perimeter of the garden to Okayama Castle!
After we saw the castle we took a tram back to Okayama and we cooled off in the mall where we visited Snoopy Town and the Pokemon Store!
8 April 2019. Monday.
But our day wasn't ending just yet! We took the bullet train back to Hiroshima just in time for the sunset! And at the station, we came across this Sightseeing Loop Bus!
We found out that it's actually free and it would take us to Hiroshima Castle, along a bunch of the other sites that we've seen already like the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park.
There are actually 3 routes that this bus goes on so you'll have to check the route and schedule on the board. The bus itself looked really cool too, with all the pretty maple leaves!
So we hopped on the bus and were lucky we managed to get seats!
And after about 15 minutes or so, the bus dropped us off at the stop nearest to Hiroshima Castle, and we saw this statue of some dude. Unfortunately the plaque was in Japanese but I figured he must be the one of the political leaders in Hiroshima or something.
The sun was slowly setting so this was the perfect time for a stroll to enjoy the sunset! Shortly after that we arrived at the entrance to the castle grounds that looked so majestic!
And just a little ways past that we saw a very cute poodle!
I thought these trees with the mix of green and red leaves above the river looked so pretty!
So this was the map of the Ruins of Hiroshima Castle!
So we walked straight ahead to the Ruins of Sakurano-ike Pond which had these balloons that looked like eggs floating on the surface? I'm not sure what's up with that but maybe they're lamps?
The sakura trees here were so lovely though!
And this was the road to the castle! I liked how it looked like it was looming over the trees. The height definitely gave it a more enchanting feeling.
Before that though, Sean had to use the restroom which we found was actually quite open?! I mean the urinal was covered but still. There wasn't a door or anything.
I think this angle wasn't so good though, but it did look quite interesting nonetheless.
This shot is definitely better though! And we thought it looked so cool that the exterior was made out of wood!
Some facts about Hiroshima Castle: it was originally constructed in the 1590s, but was destroyed by the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. The castle was rebuilt in 1958, a replica of the original that now serves as a museum of Hiroshima's history before World War II.
The castle was originally constructed in wood, primarily pine, and was completed between 1592 and 1599, and was designated a National Treasure in 1931. The reconstructed castle features the main tower only, which is made primarily of reinforced concrete. And in 1994, a gate and a yagura in the ninomaru were re-constructed out of wood using the original methods. (Source: Wikipedia)
I don't know why, but it just reminded me of the story of the Three Little Pigs. Maybe it's because I've never seen a house constructed out of wood before, let alone a castle! Granted it's only covered in wood but it did look really cool and unique nonetheless!
There were also a lot of pretty trees around and provided the perfect view of the moat!
The sun was quickly setting and just watching it reflected in the moat was so beautiful!
I think some other people had the same idea to come visit and enjoy the sunset at the same time though, but I tried my best to get good shot!
Eventually we left and headed to Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine!
I've written about this before, but there is a specific procedure whenever you're visiting shrines in Japan. Of course it's entirely optional, but most people do it out of respect.
So you have to pay respects at the gate and then purify yourself with the water at the entrance and cleaning your hands and mouth with the ladle called a hishaku.
Then you head inside, ring the bell at the shrine and make an offering of 5yen before paying your respects.
We don't really partake in the shrine etiquette but it's good to know. The shrine itself is very spacious and had a few different buildings.
After looking around and taking some pics, we left the shrine and started finding our way out.
Eventually we found our way back to the bus stop and found a bus that would take us back to the station.
Back at the mall, we found this place that very curious restaurant that had a bunch of mannequin cooks?
It actually looked kinda creepy not gonna lie.
We were so hungry after walking so much today so it was time for dinner! I don't think we actually ate here but we did get different types of gyudon! I don't really remember where this is from but that egg cheese gyudon looks so good!
This one was definitely mine with the soft boiled egg gyudon! Actually this might have been from Matsuya but I can't be sure. Either way it's probably delicious!
And that's all for this day! Dang this one day took 3 posts but it was a very spectacular day indeed! Hope you enjoyed it and tune in next week where we visit another special place!
Thanks so much for reading!
To find out more about me, check out my intro post here!
Check out my previous post in this series!
TacoCat’s Travels #149 (Hiroshima): Strolling Amidst Sakura to Okayama Castle! 🏯
