Day 13: Hiroshima, Miyajima, Daishō-in, Okonomiyaki

Journal by Clay

In the morning, we went to the Hiroshima Peace Park to take a look at the monuments and the A-Bomb Dome. We also went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to learn more on what happened on August 6th 1945. 

Payton thought the experience was very sad but also very informative. Luna said that she liked the origami peace cranes in the museum that she saw. Patience said she was surprised by the clothing stained by the black rain displayed in the museum. "I'm surprised no one wanted to stay inside".

Calvin was able to witness the damage firsthand inflicted by nuclear weapons and Isabel said the experience was very solemn and gave her time to reflect. Damaris thought the experience was eye-opening and very sad. Cassie thought the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was very emotional and she almost witnessed Clay tear up during a video testimony from one of the victims of the A-bomb.

Jocelyn thought the experience was interesting, different and educational. "The peace park was beautiful but also sad." Chenoa thought the experience was very nice. Her favorite part was getting to observe the clothing artifacts preserved in the museum. Clay thought the experience was sad but also educational. "Its amazing to see how much the city of Hiroshima strives for peace. But its sad to hear about all the lives lost on August 6th 1945". Fynn thought that the experience was pretty somber but liked the fact that the park's focus is to keep moving forward. The museum he thought was a little much and went quickly through the museum. 

We bumped into Kyoko French's tour group from Minneapolis!

After the peace park and museum, we all went to a really nice restaurant to sit down and have lunch.  

After lunch, we took a ferry to Miyajima to visit Itsukushima Shrine and take a look at O-torii Gate. 

Soon after that, we climbed up a hill to explore the Daishō-in Temple which had plenty of activities for all of us to do. 

Cassie said she was surrounded by deer that wanted to eat her ice cream. Damaris said the view was amazing and she got to take a lot of pictures of the owls at the owl cafe and the deer that live on the island. Calvin thought Miyajima Misen was very relaxing and peaceful. He also was also able to visit the owl cafe. Isabel said the temples were very beautiful and she got to visit the pagoda with Damaris. 

Jocelyn said the island was very beautiful. There were a lot of things to see and she really liked the hats on the Jizo statues in the Daishō-in temple. Payton and Chenoa both said they stuck together and wandered around the island going in and out of shops. 

Luna said she got lost in Miyajima with Darryl and they got to eat oysters prepared right in front of them. Fynn thought the ferry ride to and from the island was really relaxing and peaceful. He also enjoyed the temple activities and the tranquility of the island.

Luna's Oyster shell

Clay said that he wandered around Miyajima looking for ice cream. When he finally found some ice cream, 2 deer were trying to eat his cone along with Darryl's and Cassie's cones. Patience said she spent most of her time heading back to the station. Along the way, she stopped by a store and bought Momiji Manju which is a pastry that is shaped like a maple leaf. She also got to spend some time at the owl cafe.

Deer jumping for Clay's ice cream at far left

After we took a ferry back to Hiroshima, we all went out to dinner and ate Okonomiyaki. Most people shared them but some had the entire Okonomiyaki which can be pretty big.