Cruising Japan

After a VERY rough night at sea (due to several tropical storms), we made it to the port of Ujina, Hiroshima, Japan...this beautiful "Tower of Paradise" was one of the first things we saw - it's a symbol of Hiroshima's hopes for glory & prosperity as a city of international peace & culture. 

Our first stop on our visit was to the beautiful Miyajima Island, the home of the iconic Tori Gate in front of the Itsukushima Shrine (also a UNESCO site).  The Tori Gate stands in the water during high tide & as the tide receeds, it is totally exposed on dry ground...our view from the ferry ride...

These deer are everywhere!  They are totally "domestic" (basically dependent) on handouts from the tourists...I did see a couple snap at some people so I'm a little nervous being so close!

You can see the tide is receeding quickly...the shrine is usually surrounded by water as if it is floating...

I love the lanterns & paper prayers stung about...

I had to add my own prayer to the collection...

People are fascinated by the low tide & are walking where water usually flows...

Pagoda del Itsujushima Jinja, Miyajima...

These sake barrells, wrapped in straw, signifies a spiritual connection & relationship to unify the Gods & the people.  Sake is used in Shinto ceremonies, rituals, & festivals...a gift to the Gods.

Shopping is always fun!  I love the local foods - cookies, oysters, & pork buns!

I was fascinated by so many in traditional kimonos...

All the Japanese students were fascinated by the American tourists - they went crazy when I pulled out my camera!

This traditional Japanese lunch was NOT my favorite, but I did like the little "hot pot" & the tempura!

In the afternoon we visited the Peace Memorial Park/Museum & the Atomic Bomb Dome.  Such a beautiful memorial to honor the lives lost during such a devastating event in the history of the world!  This tribute is full of the hope of peace...

This structure was originally the Hiroshima Perfectural Exhibition Hall designed for arts & educational exhibits & basically the only structure left standing near the bomb's hypocentre that killed over 70,000 people instantly & eventually another 70,000 from radiation.  It was left as a monument/memorial of the bombing & ultimately as symbol of peace.

It creates an eerie contrast to the new skyline of modern buildings, all of which were built after 1945...

A mass grave being tended by park employees...

The Children's Peace Monument was my favorite...probably because there were so many students waiting to take their turn singing, reciting poetry, & praying for peace...very touching...the paper crane has become a symbol of peace & this monument is believed to be inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki who was only 2 years old when the bomb fell, she died of luekemia 10 years later.  Her story was made famous in the children's book Sadako & the Thousand Paper Cranes.  Every year colorful paper cranes are sent from around the world in hopes of peace for all children...

Google Images

The Eternal Flame of Peace...

This Memorial Cenotaph contains the names of all the victims killed by the bomb.  It is beautiful lined up so that, through it's arch, you can see both the Eternal Flame & the Atomic Bomb Dome.  Its arch shape represents a shelter for the souls of the victims...

We also went through the museum filled with photos & artifacts, telling the story of those who experienced this tragedy.  Interestingly enough, the Japanese are very kind & respectful towards Americans, even in the museum displays.  They felt that the government misled the people & that they should have surrendered before the bombs were dropped.  The US also told the people where the bombs were to be dropped so that they could evacuate...such a sad part of history - as are all wars.

They next day we ended our cruise in Tokyo.  We ended up with a little Highlights of Tokyo Tour that last day on the way to the airport for those who were leaving or the hotels for those who were staying on...
During our tour, we stopped at the Asakusa Shrine (Shinto) & Senso-ji Temple (Budhist) along with a few other tourists...the place was packed & there was A LOT going on!

Our tour guide told us that we were a "lucky" group!  Evidently it is good luck to come across a wedding or a baby blessing...I loved the traditional costume!

A bride is treated like a celebrity & they are surrounded by paparazzi-like tourists, myself included!

Anything & everything "made in Japan" can be found on the Nakamise dori (street-lined shops/stalls) leading up to the gates of Asakusa!

After our tour we said goodbye to most of our State Farm buddies & checked into our hotel (because we were staying a few more days to explore Tokyo), then we headed out to look around & find some dinner.  We walked over to the Ginza Shopping District, much like 5th Avenue - a fancy-shmancy place, all lit up like Times Square!  Notice the people walking everywhere?  The streets were blocked off from traffic during business hours because it was Fashion Week!

I thought it would be fun to buy a scarf in Tokyo during Fashion Week, but everything had Fashion Week prices!  The cheapest scarf I found still had entirely too many zeros attached to it!  Needless to say, I did not purchase anything!

We did; however, let this cute little gal talk us into (in her broken English) eating dinner in their restaurant...

No English menu...she understood "shushi" so she brought out the fish for Paul to choose from...he's not sure what he chose...

...but it was presented beautifully & we are so glad they labeled it for him!  We couldn't stop laughing & he said it was delicious!

More Adventures in Tokyo coming up...