I'm a bored Medical student trying to save up some money to go travelling again so be nice to me an...
I'm a bored Medical student trying to save up some money to go travelling again so be nice to me and read my reviews. Andy
Member since:06.04.2004
Reviews:14
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Hiroshima is known pretty much universally for one day, when on the 6th August 1945 the world's first atomic bomb was dropped in the centre of the city. Reminders of that day remain and it is still the main tourist pull to this small seaside city but the city has been completely rebuilt and for the most part it is like any other Japanese city.
A bit of geography- Hiroshima is quite a small city compared to the likes of Tokyo and Osaka. The population is just over a million, but the city seems a lot smaller. The centre is very compact and this makes it very easy for vistitors to get around. The city is bordered by the inland sea on one side and mountains most of the rest of the way around it which are very visible on a clear day. Also several rivers run through the city leaving a few nice river side paths to walk along.
Getting there and getting about- Hiroshima is on the main shinkansen line so it's very easy to get to from other main cities like Osaka and Tokyo. There are also regular bus services from most major cities. The night bus is probably the cheapest way to get there being usually about half the price of the shinkansen. Buses arrive both at the bus station in the Sogo dept. store and at the
train station. The bus station is closer to the centre, the train station is about a 15 min walk away. You can also fly to Hiroshima although beware the main Hiroshima airport is actually about 50km out of the city so you'll have to get a bus from there to the station costing £10.
Getting around hiroshima is very easy, one of the best things about the city is it's tram system which gives the city a bit of an old fashioned feel, especially as many of the trams are quite old and were bought from other cities once they started to close their lines. Services go to all the main sites and any journey in the centre costs about 75p. The buses are ok but a bit more confusing to get about on. As the centre is quite small it's easy enough to walk around, and it's brilliant with a bike because as well because the centre is completely flat.
If you go underground after coming out the front of the station there is a tourist info. place on the right hand side.
Places to stay
There's a bit of a lack of really cheap accomodation about, the youth hostel is miles from the centre but not that cheap. Asta plaza near the peace park is cheap but has a 12 o'clock curfew. The best bet if you're on a budget is just to find a business hotel. For anything more expensive there's plenty of choise around the centre.
Things to do
Peace Park- The obvious first place to go, walking around the park doesn't take too long but it's nice just to take your time and sit by the river. The museum takes a lot longer especially if you read everything, but it's very interesting and well worth visiting plus it costs almost nothing to get in. It can be a very sobering experience I actually think it's better going once you've explored Hiroshima a bit because then the pictures of a completely flattened city have a much greater effect on you.
Ideally it's best to visit the park on peace memorial day when there is a service early in the morning to commemorate the event. Lots of people attend and it always makes the front page of the newspaper the next day. The speaches are pretty standard but it's still a very stiring event. The best part of the day is the evening when paper lanterns are floated down the river in front of the atomic bomb dome(one of the few buildings still surviving from that day) as the sun sets. The A-bomb dome is also surrounded by candles with messages of peace written on them. There are other events throughout the city and there is usually a low key free concert behind the baseball stadium.
Miyajima The tori gate at Miyajima is renowned for being one of the top 3 views in Japan. While it doesn't usually disappoint the rest of the island is just as interesting. Get a cable car to the top in the morning and you can see the monkeys you also get a great view of the inland sea. Thousands of deer roam the island, they're cool a first but can be quite annoying as well. Take your time to explore the island properly it's well worth the effort. To get there get a train from hiroshima station in the direction of Iwakuni, should be the first platform you walk onto through the ticket gate. Then get a ferry from Miyajima guchi train station, it's obvious which way to go.
Hiroshima castle- It's nice but like most castles a reconstruction. There are much better ones about and the view from the top is obscured by all the high rise buildings.
Shukkeien gardens- Very pretty small garden, doesn't take long to have a look around and is well worth it if you have the time.
Miitaki temple- Definatly the best temple in Hiroshima and a lot nicer than many of the big ugly ones in Kyoto. The name means 3 waterfalls and the waterfalls are beautiful especially after it has been raining. It's a bit of a trek to get there and you have to walk up a very steep hill but it's definatly worth the effort.
Other things to do include the Mazda factory tour and watching the Hiroshima carp play baseball.
Places to eat- There are loads of places about, try Pacela next to the Sogo department store where they have floor of resteraunts. The Vietnamese at Miss Hoa is especially good. It is also essential to try the local speciality Okonmiyaki there are loads of places about in fact there is a building full of them called Okonmi mura hidden behind Parco dept. store.
Places to drink Kemby's and The Shack are both big American style bars which serve good western food as well if you're in the mood. They have pool tables too and usually a good crowd of people. Molly Mallone's is the Irish theme pub, it's expensive but very good and has British food as well. Mac is also a must see if you like music, it's really just a little shed with an absolutley huge cd collection, during the week and early evening it's pretty empty and you can have a relaxed beer and chose some music but on Saturaday night it's completely packed with people partying the night away.
for more places or just general info try looking at www.gethiroshima.com
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emma_chan 29.08.2001 ·
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rambo 01.05.2005 (01.05.2005)
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gard 27.07.2005 (27.07.2005)
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