Hiroshima & Miyajima Island

June 4 (Saturday) We took the bullet train down to Hiroshima.

The Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall was constructed in 1915.

Since the bomb went off directly overhead, some of the structure remained, while the entire vicinity was destroyed.

 The structure is now known as the "A Bomb Dome." It stands at one end of the Hiroshima Peace Park.

 The crane has become a symbol of peace. There is a story of a girl who was 2 yrs. old when the bomb exploded. At the age of 10 she developed cancer and she believed that if she made 1000 cranes, she might get better. Hollywood didn't produce her story, she died at 12 years old...but the hope and prayer for peace is now symbolized by the crane. Visitors bring strings of cranes and add them to the memorial. Here are just a few.

 Japanese students practicing their English skills with me.

 Another young man from the same school practicing his skills,  gets a few minutes with Matt.

The museum was deeply moving. At one point Spencer turned to Matt and said, "I'm not sure this place is for kids." Matt gave a fairly respectful history lesson to our kids about the dilemma that faced President Truman at the end of World War II.

I'm not going to add much more for now.....there's too much to say.

Our view from the hotel was of lush and green Japanese rolling hills.

 The entrance to the Grand Prince Hotel.

 The hotel has promoted itself as a wedding chapel.

 In the lobby is one Christian chapel for services. The aisle sends you out to the center of an infinity pond.

 On Sunday we headed by boat to Miyajima Island. It was a wonderful Sabbath.

 When we arrived at the island we were met by wild deer who just live among the people.

 Spencer was careful not to touch or to feed the deer, but he couldn't resist getting close.

 We arrived at high tide in order to witness the floating torii.

The whole island of Itsukushima Island (popularly known as "Miyajima Island") is held as a sacred Shinto space. There has been a gate in the harbor since 1168, but this magnificent torii gate was erected in 1875.

 There seems to be a tension between keeping the island sacred/pure, but also allowing commoners onto the island. So one of the interesting "rules' that has been developed, as the island is more open, is the prohibition of giving birth or dying on the island. When you are near to giving birth, you are expected to journey to the main land. If you are nearing the end of your life, same goes.

 As we head towards the Buddhist temple, little Buddhas are everywhere.

 5 story pagoda.

 Once we return to the hotel, Hannah & I head down to the hot spring onsen. Sorry no pictures since we are all natural!

 Okonomiyaki (Hiroshima pizza). What? No crust. What? No cheese.  Did you say noodles, cabbage, eggs, octopus, shrimp, sprouts, mystery sauce, and green flakes? St. Louis Imo's or Pi has nothing to worry about. Although Matt, Amy, and Hannah ate (enjoyed?) it. Spencer took his obligatory bites and then waited for the breakfast buffet. The melon soda was tasty.

 Hiroshima Castle....one more beautiful thing to look at.

Look at this beautiful shogun.

What a weekend......at every turn we wish we had loved ones here to share this with us.