RyokOhio: The Lewises In Japan Blog: Japan Trip 2016, Day 4: Hiroshima

This morning we had to say goodbye to Dotonbori Osaka. Goodbye city full of rebellious youth. Youth that shows PDA and litters. Host clubs every other building. I didn't really realize how rambunctious and chaotic it was until we arrived in Hiroshima.

A coastal city that is calm, friendly, beautiful, and flat. Maybe everyone was in a good mood because when we arrived, it was in the middle of a great big celebration! Their baseball team, the Hiroshima Carps, had won the National Championships for the first time in 25 years. We knew something special was going on as soon as we arrived at the station. The air was electric with excitement and celebration and the crowds were decked in red jerseys. Everyone was making their way to the Mazda Stadium for a parade in honor of the Carp's win.

We followed them for a while, but decided to break away from the crowd once they began to pour in from all directions towards the stadium, creating a crowd that was so large and intimidating, Jeff and I knew if we didn't break away now, we wouldn't be able to get away for hours. But, while it was a huge crowd, it was a happy and safe crowd.

After dropping off our luggage at our hostel K's House Hiroshima, we made our way back to the station for a trip to Miyajima Island. When you think of Japan, what popular tourist images come to mind? The Great Wave by Hokusai? Geisha and Samurai and Ninjas? How about that great big red Torii gate in the middle of the water? That's the place we went to today! And while that is its most popular attraction, I honestly liked the Buddhist temple Daisho-in much better. As you walked you would just find more and more little corners dedicated to different aspects of Buddhism. Read more about all the things we discovered at this website. It was here and at the main Shinto Shrine on the island that I was able to get two more goshuin stamps!

When it comes to Japan and their islands with tame animals, Nara is usually the one famous for deer, but Miyajima also had its fair share of needy, greedy deer that you could pet. They are small with weirdly short necks, but still cute. Another thing that Miyajima (and Hiroshima too) is famous for is a pastry called Momiji Manju. It being fall, these maple leaf-shaped little cakes are made with different fillings and are sold EVERYWHERE. I bought some with different fillings, and a box of Momiji Manju Kit-Kats! Can't wait to try them! Another island special are the oysters, but since I'm not a fan, I did not partake. Besides, Jeff and I have agreed that when they grill crab and oysters in their shell, it creates a smell that is too similar to the smell of your teeth being drilled on (ugh).

By then we had once again reached a state of stiff legs and a raging hunger for something substantial, so we made our way back to the hostel for a quick break. They had a book of local restaurant recommendations, so we picked a nearby udon place. This gave us the strength to make one last trip for the day. A couple bus stops away was the Hiroshima Pokemon Center! Small but cute, this store's mascot Pokemon is Magikarp (called Koiking in Japanese) as well as his evolution, the Shiny Red Gyrados. This is the obvious choice of mascot Pokemon as the local baseball team is the Hiroshima Carp! And, to my delight, they had Carp baseball teeshirts and stickers with Magikarp in baseball gear. I am totally wearing this shirt for any Reds event (one of the Hiroshima Carp logos is the exact same C we use for the Cincinnati Reds).

Today was a lot of fun, and tomorrow we will be visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Gardens.