Day 6 - Thursday 2 April - Hiroshima to Himeji to Osaka
Last night I decided that if it was clear I'd go on a trek to Hiroshima
Castle. So this morning it was clear, so Sandra, Natty and I hopped on
a tram back down to the A-bomb Dome station. From there we walked north to the
castle and had a look around. Hopefully got some nice photos from the south-western corner.
Unfortunately we didn't have very long there because the others had to check out of their room. Stu was checking out for us so I could stay a little longer. So walked around the eastern side of the moat but didn't really get any better photos.
I walked back down to the A-bomb Dome and from there found the location of the hypocentre of the atomic bomb blast. Was just as sad wandering around there today as it was yesterday :( The guide that we talked to yesterday was there too, talking to a guy and his kids.
So then headed back to the hotel and we checked out and headed for the station.
Our mission for the day was Himeji castle. Sadly not all of the cherry blossoms were out yet, so didn't get as spectacular photos as you see on the postcards, but did manage to get some nice photos with some of the trees that had partly opened. We all went crazy taking photos heh.
We went inside (600yen) and then were herded like a flock of sheep through the interior and up into the towers. Managed to lose each other in the crowds which was a bit annoying, but found each other not too long after. The main tower was pretty cool, but pretty much devoid of any contents. There were some museum-type displays but everyone was racing so fast through the place it was hard to stop to read them. We also had to take our shoes off, which proved tricky when laden down with backpacks, camera bags and cameras, and a steady stream of people pushing their way past :/
Eventually made our way out and found the others in the West Bailey before wandered towards the exit.
The Nats and Andrew had decided to go see the next door gardens, so Sandra and Stu and I went off to find some lunch (it was well after 3pm by this time). We found an alley restaurant that had no english menu, or even a menu with pictures, so we all had to go back out again and show them what we wanted from the plastic display food! :) I had some some of pork ramen, and the pork was sooo good, so tender.
Then found a sheltered spot in the sun to have some snackages while waiting for the others. A bit before the designated meeting time I tried to find a spot on the eastern side of the castle to get some photos but there were too many trees in the way :( So caught up with the others, and we went back to the station, retrieved our bags, and caught a train to Osaka.
Found the hotel easily (Natty and Sandra stayed here on their way down the country). Had a team meeting to decide on a rough plan for our four days here. Stu did washing while I went out with the others to get a snack. Had to stay up rather a lot later than we wanted to waiting for the washing, but at least can sleep in a bit in the morning.
Steps walked today: 20117
Photos taken by me: 330
Photos taken by Stu: 152
Hiroshima Castle
This eucalypt survived the atomic blast
Photo by Natty
Hiroshima Castle
Unfortunately we didn't have very long there because the others had to check out of their room. Stu was checking out for us so I could stay a little longer. So walked around the eastern side of the moat but didn't really get any better photos.
Walls of Hiroshima Castle
I walked back down to the A-bomb Dome and from there found the location of the hypocentre of the atomic bomb blast. Was just as sad wandering around there today as it was yesterday :( The guide that we talked to yesterday was there too, talking to a guy and his kids.
Hypocentre. The atomic bomb went off 600 metres above this spot.
A-Bomb Dome in morning light
The Peace Clock in the Peace Park
So then headed back to the hotel and we checked out and headed for the station.
We liked the little window the Nozomi N700 train guards had to look out
Japan is the country to go to if you have a weak bladder.
Toilets are everywhere, always free, clean (except some
of the squatty ones) and look at this - they welcome tourists
to their toilets!! Europe, please pay attention!
Our mission for the day was Himeji castle. Sadly not all of the cherry blossoms were out yet, so didn't get as spectacular photos as you see on the postcards, but did manage to get some nice photos with some of the trees that had partly opened. We all went crazy taking photos heh.
Himeji Castle
Cherry blossoms near Himeji Castle
Taking photos on phone cameras
Himeji Castle
Cherry blossoms near Himeji Castle
First of only two group photos we had in Japan
Himeji Castle
Photo by Stu
We went inside (600yen) and then were herded like a flock of sheep through the interior and up into the towers. Managed to lose each other in the crowds which was a bit annoying, but found each other not too long after. The main tower was pretty cool, but pretty much devoid of any contents. There were some museum-type displays but everyone was racing so fast through the place it was hard to stop to read them. We also had to take our shoes off, which proved tricky when laden down with backpacks, camera bags and cameras, and a steady stream of people pushing their way past :/
Interior of Himeji Castle - not showing the crowds in here!
View of the castle grounds from the top level of the castle
Shrine in top level of Himeji Castle. This gives no indication of how packed it was in here!
Courtyard in Himeji Castle
Eventually made our way out and found the others in the West Bailey before wandered towards the exit.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle
The Nats and Andrew had decided to go see the next door gardens, so Sandra and Stu and I went off to find some lunch (it was well after 3pm by this time). We found an alley restaurant that had no english menu, or even a menu with pictures, so we all had to go back out again and show them what we wanted from the plastic display food! :) I had some some of pork ramen, and the pork was sooo good, so tender.
Then found a sheltered spot in the sun to have some snackages while waiting for the others. A bit before the designated meeting time I tried to find a spot on the eastern side of the castle to get some photos but there were too many trees in the way :( So caught up with the others, and we went back to the station, retrieved our bags, and caught a train to Osaka.
Our train to Osaka coming out of the sunset
Found the hotel easily (Natty and Sandra stayed here on their way down the country). Had a team meeting to decide on a rough plan for our four days here. Stu did washing while I went out with the others to get a snack. Had to stay up rather a lot later than we wanted to waiting for the washing, but at least can sleep in a bit in the morning.
Steps walked today: 20117
Photos taken by me: 330
Photos taken by Stu: 152
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