Hiroshima was our next destination. We took a taxi from the train station, and fortunately our driver spoke very good English. He was helpful in suggesting what transportation to take and sites to see in the area. He was a very welcoming, gave us a detailed map of Hiroshima, and dropped us off at our hotel – Daiwa roynet hotel.

We love the Japanese hotels! All you needs are taken care of – pajamas and toiletries. This hotel had a restaurant attached and breakfast was included in the hotel fee!

After settling into the hotel, we walked to the Peace Memorial Park – the area which the atomic bomb was dropped back in WWII in 1945. While walking to the park, there were many monuments to various people who had perished during the war, and the famous A Bomb Dome. The museum was a grim reminder of the effects of radiation and the power of the atomic bomb.

While walking through the Memorial park, a Japanese man approached us and asked if we would mind talking to him in English. He was retired and taking classes to learn new things. We enjoyed chatting with him for about 10 minutes. He had a lot of questions and did very well holding a conversation with us. He spoke to several other people after he talked to us. I’m not sure if I would have the courage to ask to speak to total strangers in Japanese. Of course my Japanese vocabulary is extremely limited, but I guess we should learn from him – go for it!!

That evening we were tired, and decided to eat at the restaurant attached to our hotel. There was a kiosk where you ordered your food, drinks, and pay the bill. After that a waitress shows you to your table and brings the food. It was really good – pork stir fry.

After a good meal – which they all have been – we went to our room and went to bed very early!! We have been on the go since we got to Japan, so we were near exhaustion!

Miyajima was our next destination. This is an island near Hiroshima. We took a boat – about a 45 minute ride on the ocean to the island. We passed an airplane factory and many oyster farms along the way. The weather was partly cloudy, but at least we could see most. of the scenery. June is the rainy season, so you never know what to expect. We have learned to have rain jackets and umbrellas close by “just in case”.

This island is famous for the orange O-torii Gate and Itsukushima shrine. When disembarking from the boat, we were greeted by many deer hoping for a snack. In the Shinto religion, deer are thought to be messengers of the gods, so hence their freedom to roam.

It was a partly sunny day, and the tide was out, so it was perfect for taking pictures at the O-torii gate which is built in the ocean. We were taking pictures and selfies along with many other tourists. After a photo session, we entered the Itsukushima Shrine. It is a big complex with many different areas. Caitlyn and I got another calligraphy stamp for our book which are almost filled at this point.

Since the weather was nice, we started walking around town and soon found out that a lot of things were closed on Monday – one being the museum. We walked to one of the parks, looked at a map and decided to be brave and try the 2 hour hike to Mt. Misen. The highest peak of the mountain gives a wonderful view of the island and surrounding areas. We started out on our hike and was a bit dismayed to see a sign warning about poisonous snakes. As we walked along, we were very aware of our surroundings making sure we didn’t have any surprise encounters with any snakes. Hiking was a bit treacherous with many rocks, and washed out sand paths. Thirty minutes into our difficult climb, Caitlyn stopped and said, “Um…Mom. What is that sound?” It was this very angry buzz that was continuous. At first we thought it was cicadas, but then we realized what it was “JAPANESE HORNETS”!!!!! We had just had a conversation with Tomo about how dangerous they are, and how they give a scary sound before attacking. Did I mention they are HUGE and give a terrible sting which calls the rest of the hornets? We immediately turned around and started back. After a few feet, we saw a Japanese woman who was hiking and shared our experience. She also turned around and joined us in walking back to the park. So much for the 2 hour hike, which after experiencing the rough path, I didn’t mind not completing that hike!

After using up a bit of energy, we felt hungry. Oysters are one of the areas specialties since they have oyster farms in the ocean near the island. Caitlyn and I both ordered fried oysters and curry which was delicious! I am not usually an oyster fan, but these were fresh and tasty. For the more adventuresome eater there were raw oysters, but I just couldn’t go that route!

The island has a ropeway which takes you up the mountain, so after our scary encounter with hornets, we decided that was the best way to see the top of Mount Misen. The view on the way up was beautiful and such a good way to see the island and areas around it. Caitlyn and Merlock the Mouse were a bit queasy but we still took pictures and enjoyed the scenery.

We got off the ropeway only to discover we had to board one more car to get across to the path to the top of Mt. Misen. I guess we both expected to be at the top of the mountain, but we were wrong. We still had a difficult hike up a rocky, sandy path, and it was starting to rain. If we thought the climb to the top of the Mountain at Yamadera was tough, it was nothing compared to this hike! A lot of the sand between the rocks was washed away and the more it rained, the slicker the rocks were. It took about an hour to get to the top of the mountain and it kept raining harder and harder. I was really struggling to climb more and more steps, rocks and whatever else was in the path. We weren’t alone climbing, and soon we were all a soggy mess. With Caitlyn’s encouragement,we finally made it to the summit! Unfortunately, this was a deja vu day meaning the same thing happened to us at Mt. Fuji! It was raining so hard, and fog had set in, so we couldn’t see anything. All of us climbers went to the shelter, and were laying down, panting from all the energy it had taken to get to the top. I had left Wormie in the side pocket of my backpack, so he was soaked! Sorry little worm!! I made sure to tuck him back inside my backpack for the trip down.

At the summit shelter we learned that there were hikers from France, Germany, a teacher from Arkansas, and a missionary living in Japan. We all dreaded what was coming next – the trip down the mountain in the pouring rain.

On our descent down the mountain, Caitlyn and I got another calligraphy stamp as a memento of making it to the top of the mountain! We got there just before the shop closed!

Caitlyn and I had our umbrellas, but it made it difficult hiking down a slippery path with an umbrella, other people around and pouring rain. Going down the path was easier than going up, but it was still difficult hiking. By the time we were back to the ropeway station, everyone was thoroughly soaked. We all looked like “wet rats”.

As we descended on the ropeway, there was very little visibility though the driving rain and fog. After reaching the bottom, we took the shuttle from the station down to the main part of town. Even the deer were huddled under buildings or whatever shelter they could find. What a soggy day.

Caitlyn bought a few souvenirs for friends, and then we took the JR boat (yeah JR pass) back to Hiroshima. After disembarking, we slogged around in the rain until we found the train station. We boarded the train and got off at the station suggested by the lady at our hotel only to find that we still had a 20 minute walk. We were already tired and soggy wet, so we called a cab. We stopped at a restaurant by the hotel, ordered some soba – warm noodles in broth with shrimp, and then went back to the hotel to conk out after a LONG day!

Miyajima would be an experience we will never forget!