Sunday, August 6, 2017 – Osaka to Hiroshima, Japan
We took our second and last Shinkansen (bullet train) trip from Osaka to Hiroshima. It is an incredible experience I hope to repeat some day. We arrived in Hiroshima at 11:00 and couldn’t check in to our Airbnb rental until 4:00, so we needed a place to store our luggage. We found a tourist host in the train station and asked for advice. She told us there were lockers in the bus station but that we might have trouble finding any available because it was Memorial Day. I never committed the date of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima to memory in history class, but it was August 6, 1945. By complete accident, we arrived in Hiroshima on the anniversary of the bombing, Memorial Day.
Our plan was to visit the Peace Park first and we stuck with that plan. We were a bit worried that as Americans we would feel unwelcome at the park with the anniversary ceremonies and remembrances taking place, but those worries were completely unfounded. There were a lot of people in the park and a lot of activities going on. The celebrations were respectful but not overly somber. It was sobering and moving to be there on that day, but we never felt any animosity nor did we feel unwelcome. Everything was oriented around peace. We could tell that is the culture of Hiroshima – not just on Memorial Day, but every day. Peace.
Although it was crowded, we visited the Peace Museum. The presentations in the museum were very factual, including the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the United States into the war in the first place. There was nothing anti-American or accusatory – just collective agreement that nuclear weapons should never be used again.
After spending the afternoon at the Peace Park, we checked into the Airbnb then set out to wander around the city. Aaron took us to dinner at Okonomimura. It is a multi-floor building full of stalls where they make Okonomiyaki, a noodle-cabbage-pancake dish that is excellent. You sit on a stool at the griddle, the chef makes the dish right in front of you, and you eat it directly off the griddle. It was a great experience, and absolutely delicious.
We wandered some more after dinner. There was a long, covered pedestrian street similar to areas we visited in Kyoto and Osaka. There were several bars – sports bars and so forth and we stopped in one called “Hops” for a beer at the end of the night. Hiroshima just seemed to have a great vibe. Maybe it was due to Memorial Day, or maybe we were getting more comfortable in Japan, or maybe it really is just a fun place to be. I think it is the latter – the emphasis on peace creates a great atmosphere. I loved every bit of Japan, but Hiroshima was my favorite city.
Where Are We Going Now? 
Your blog made me realize how much of Japan I missed around my business trips in and out of Japan. I’ll have to go back for pure vacation the next time. Thanks.
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