21 & 22 March Hiroshima, Osaka, Australia

Originally I was supposed to be heading to Tokyo now, to meet up with Dim, and head back to Australia on the 3rd of April. Because it was not exactly safe or guaranteed that I would be able to get back to Tokyo I chose to head home early. It was not a decision made lightly and I wish I had been able to stay longer. However the promise of a trip to Perth softened the disappointment a little.

This was the very last photo on my camera that was taken in Japan, it seems fitting.

This is sunrise over the mountains surrounding Cairns airport, a gloomy, silent end to my wonderful adventure in Japan, which I will never forget.

20 March Miyajima & Hiroshima

Another delicious Japanese breakfast, this time with a picture....

We set off early and took the train from Hiroshima to the port closest to Miyajima, then took a ferry. By now I have been on enough trains and boats in Japan that I no longer take photos of them, which means there are quite a few gaps in the photographic record of the day. however I took enough photos on Miyajima to make up for that! Without ceremony here they are, picture of one of the places I have been hoping to visit for many years:

My first glimpse through the misty rain.

The very very famous Torii Gate!

My favourite photo of the whole day, looks just like a postcard. Thank you Ms. Shika for posing!

Seriously bad hair day for me, but a good day for Deer to pose in out photos!

Amid all the chaos of hundreds of tourists sheltering from the rain I spotted this little scene.

The bridge that no one can walk across due to its slope.

Miyajima Special Oysters

Special lunch/bento box from a famous take-away shop near the ferry stop.

Inside was delicious grilled something (not eel, but like eel, I was told)

This temple had the most beautiful garden!

Delicious Mayple leaf azuki bean cakes.

After exploring Miyajima in the rain we headed back to Hiroshima on the ferry and then the train again. Though it was pouring with rain we decided to have a look at the Atomic bomb museum and peace park in what was originally the centre of Hiroshima. 

It truly was one of the saddest places I have ever been. For me the saddest part was a wall covered in letters. They were letters sent by the various Mayors of Hiroshima to the head of any nation known to have carried out testing of nuclear weapons, each time a test was carried out. It was absolutely heartbreaking to read their words, and to know that they fall on deaf ears.

After seeing this sobering sight we went shopping to cheer ourselves up a bit. Then we began the search for dinner, we ended up in a tiny little bar which sold... Okonomiyaki of course! 

Seafood, noodles, spring onion, cabbage, sauce and seaweed! Delicious!

On the way back to the hotel we had to pass through Hiroshima Station again and found a delicious looking cake shop. We bought a few delights and ate them back at the hotel!