Comments | beelikej: My train trip through Japan part 7/8 [October 2019]

beelikej

My train trip through Japan part 7/8 [October 2019]

May 10, 2020 21:32

My original itinerary would have me in a mountain monastery on this day, but because of the typhoon that hit Japan, I had to adjust my trip and I opted to skip the spiritual experience and spend my day exploring history in Hiroshima instead. I got up extra early in my hotel in Kyoto to catch an early Shinkansen (bullet train) and make the most of ( Read more... )

japan, travelblog, trains, picturepost

Comments 10

tabaqui May 11 2020, 02:08:09 UTC

What beautiful views! And amazing manhole covers.
The bullet train IS amazing. :D

I could never go to the Hiroshima memorial, just as I could never go to Auschwitz. So much misery and suffering there, in the land, in the air....

It's like making the spirits relive it, to think about it and talk about it. (That's just my weird brain - i won't watch movies about stuff like that, either.)

I don't ever *deny* stuff like that, I just...can't.

beelikej May 11 2020, 20:51:10 UTC

I love those manhole covers (but my favorite is still the one with the deer in Nara;) I was thrilled I had time to get a proper photo of the bullettrain, because usually you have to rush to get inside!

I was warned beforehand that the Memorial and the Museum would have an impact; I've been to Auschwitz, the feeling of desolation is comparable and it's absolutely valid to not want to go there. For me it was a good decision to go to the Memorial Park first so I had a chance to end my day on a happier note.

What I liked about the museum was the message of hope and good intentions, the people of Hiroshima work hard to focus on the future with positivity. <3

tabaqui May 11 2020, 21:30:11 UTC

That's a good message and outlook to have. Where I live in MO, right down the road is a memorial to the Native people who were marched through here - we're on part of the Trail of Tears, and they encamped at the spring here that's right outside our downtown. And, of course, lots of Native and Civil War strife happened all around the area and the state ( ... )

beelikej May 18 2020, 15:41:58 UTC

I've passed the Trail of Tears when I traveled through that part of the US a couple of years ago. It's a very sad part of history. It's important to remember, but also good to be able to see the beauty of the world.

somer May 11 2020, 13:22:24 UTC

Tbh, the mountain monastery AND Hiroshima both sounds interesting, so I'm glad one of them worked out.

'but her classmates folded the rest' Man :( And I can imagine, how hard it must be, seeing all that had happened and all that is left. *hugs*

Walking the mountain looked nice though.

SUCH AN ADVENTURE SO FAR!

beelikej May 11 2020, 20:59:45 UTC

Well, I had my doubts about the monastery when I learned that they had no private bathrooms, only public mixed baths, where you are required to bathe naked. I had been dreading that part of my itinerary. So when I had to make a choice what part of the trip to skip, I didn't hesitate. :-p (NAKED, SOMER, NAKED with other people, WTF)

The Memorial left a lasting impression. I do hope to be able to visit Japan again and spend more time to explore the rest of Hiroshima. That mountain at Miyajima was amazing, even the little bit I got to see. Definitely need to go back!

somer May 14 2020, 11:16:22 UTC

Oh god. Man lololol So, not considering going to that monastery after all one day, huh? XD

I'm glad those memorials exist. We're not supposed to forget. <3

jj1564 May 12 2020, 12:01:24 UTC

"At age 11 she developed leukaemia and decided to fold 1000 paper cranes, a symbol of longevity and happiness. She believed if she folded 1000 she would recover; she died before reaching her goal, but her classmates folded the rest." gosh, this is so sad. It's unbelievable what happened to that city, and how well it has recovered. It's weird seeing your pics as my son lived in Japan for a year and you went to many of the same places he visited, about a month later! :)

beelikej May 18 2020, 15:46:24 UTC

It's such a kick in the gut to be at that park and try to grasp what happened. But optimism rules in Hiroshima.
Oh, to actually live there for a year must have been amazing! I did only get a glimpse of the country, although I managed to travel all the way around:) I'd love to explore more!

jj1564 May 19 2020, 15:53:23 UTC

I think you probably saw more of the country than Sam did as he couldn't take a lot of leave from his job. He did manage to visit Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo and Kyoto. He would have stayed for another year but it's such a long journey home, you can't just 'pop' back for a weekend. He's still in a relationship with his Japanese girlfriend though, so he may go back at some point!