Introducing part II of the “Getting to know Hiroshima” series. During our second day in Hiroshima, Gail of The Equinox Fashion and I spent half the day trekking around Miyajima Island and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial where the famous A-bomb Dome is located.

グローバルトラベルブロガーサミットより、広島シリーズのパート2を紹介したいと思います。広島での二日目は、ブロガーのゲールちゃんと半日で宮島と広島平和公園を廻ってきました。

MIYAJIMA ISLAND AND THE GREAT TORII

 

Miyajima Island is one of the three scenic spots in Japan, something I learned during the trip. According to an online travel guide, it has been long regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. It is also a historical island where Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site, is located, along with the Virgin Forest of Mt. Misen and other numerous preserved shrines, temples and historical monuments. We didn’t have a lot of time to visit them all that day, but since the tide was low, we focused on the Great Torii, which is the symbol of Miyajima.

「安芸の宮島」で知られる厳島が日本三景の中の一つだということを、今回のサミットで初めて知りました。満潮時に海に浮かんでいるように見える厳島神社は、江戸時代から日本屈指の観光地だったそうです。ここは古代より美しい瀬戸内海に浮かぶ霊山として知られ、神域とされ手つかずの自然が現存する弥山原始林と厳島神社の建築物は世界遺産に登録されました。観光客で賑わっていたにもかかわらず、すごく神秘的な空気が漂っていた気がしました。今回は時間が限られていたので、厳島神社の神殿には行けなかったのですが、ちょうど潮が引いていたので大鳥居の前まで行きました。

 

 

I’ve always heard of the Great Torii and had seen many photographs of it, but it was my first time seeing it up close in person. Our tour guide told us that if a coin lands on top of one of the beams, it would bring us good luck. Well, I tried 5 times and luckily enough, the last one landed! Imagine my excitement. I’m still not sure if it gave me good luck, but I’ll take the experience. I highly recommend this tourist attraction to anyone who loves historical spots, or to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

大鳥居は、今まで写真で見たことがあったのですが、訪れるのが初めてでした。しかも、ツアーガイドを努めてくれた中西さんに、「大鳥居に向かって小銭を投げたら、幸運に恵まれますよ。」と言われたので、何回か投げてみたら見事はまりました!幸運に繋がったかわからないのですが、こういうのはちょっと嬉しいものですよね。広い海と山に囲まれた宮島は、観光スポットとしてすごくおすすめします。

 

HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL AND THE A-BOMB DOME

It’s very hard to describe in words how I felt when I first laid eyes on the A-bomb Dome. Even though I grew up in California, I still had a Japanese education (I attended Japanese school every Saturday until age 12), so I learned about the horrors of World War II through a Japanese perspective. Also, I would visit Japan with my family every summer in August, and if you know your history, that’s the month when both atom bombs were dropped during the war. Every year during this time, documentaries, movies and TV dramas are broadcasted on almost every channel, so I grew up watching these heartbreaking programs during my summer vacations.

I had always wanted to see this monument in person, and when I finally did, the tears wouldn’t stop. It was probably one of the most emotional experiences I had in a while. It’s just not the same as seeing temples or shrines, or anything that still has its original form. The Dome was practically destroyed by the first ever atom bomb, and you can see it just as it was after the tragic event – untouched and broken, but portraying an important message for future generations.

原爆ドームを初めて見たときの気持ちを説明するのには、言葉だけでは伝えられない気がします。私はカリフォルニアで生まれ育ったのですが、毎週土曜日は日本語補習校に通い、第二次世界大戦のことも日本人の視線で学びました。毎年夏休みに日本へ行くたびに、戦争についてのドラマや映画、ドキュメントリーを沢山観てきました。日本の歴史の中でもっとも悲しい出来事を子供の頃から学んでいたので、それだけ自分の中で大切なことでした。

ずっと訪れてみたいと思っていた原爆ドームを目にした瞬間、涙があふれ止まりませんでした。最近一番心を動かされた瞬間だったと思います。お寺や神社など、まだそのままの形で残っている建築物とは違い、原爆ドームは破壊されたままの状態で保存されています。それは核兵器による惨状と平和の大切さを人々に訴えているのです。私も原爆ドームの前でそれを感じました。

 

Walking through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and seeing the Dome from different angles was great. I even captured this last photo with the cherry blossoms. This mini site-seeing trip made me realize how important it is to see history up close – it’s always a reminder for us to never repeat the tragic events in history, and to always promote love and peace, always. Many thanks to the Global Travel Blogger Summit for making my stay in Hiroshima so memorable.

平和記念公園を散歩しながら、原爆ドームを様々な角度から眺めることができました。一番最後の写真も、桜を手前に撮ることもできました。このミニ観光ツアーをして、歴史を間近に見ることがどれだけ大事かを改めて知りました。もう起こった出来事を繰り返さないよう、歴史を知ること。愛と平和をもっともっと伝えること。グローバールトラベルブロガーサミットには、広島での滞在を思い出深いものにしてくれて、本当に感謝しています。

 

All photos by Samantha Mariko

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29 comments

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Ahhh such a beautiful place. Lately, I have been absolutely dying to go to Japan

Enclothed Cognition

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I could definitely use some good luck! I have read about the Great Torii and it’s just even more magical to see it in your pics and to have read it in person. I definitely can’t get enough of these hidden gems in Japan. You make me even more excited to go!

http://www.thebeautybeau.com

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That place looks magical! I really love your photos and recap because you always manage to bring me into Japan. I am keeping a running list of all these places!

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This is a truly beautiful account of Hiroshima, Miyajima Island and the A-Bomb Dome. I can totally see why Miyajima Island is referred to as the Island of Gods! All your captures of the different angles are gorgeous! I can’t even imagine the tremendous amount of emotion you must have felt at the A bomb monument and I definitely agree that it is a reminder to never repeat. I’m glad you had such an amazing experience with the Global Travel Blogger Summit !

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Gorgeous photo’s and Hiroshima looks magical.. really. It’s nothing like any place I’ve ever been. SO fun to see two bloggerbabes I know together <3
XO Charissa || http://www.ladygoldapple.com ||

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Your photos are so beautiful. This is a great reminder to visit historical landmarks.

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I’m ready to just jump into your photos by now. All of these places look extraordinary. It’s really incredible that you got to visit the A-bomb site. It’s an intense feeling when you see history up close. I just recently got to view the 9/11 memorial at Liberty Park and it was really hard to not shed some serious tears. It’s sobering, that’s for sure, but we’re lucky to see it from these points of views, further on in history.

Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com

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Thank you so much for sharing your experience at Hiroshima with us. The historical significance of the A-bomb site is one that should never be forgotten. Humanity should never forget the horrible devastation of war. Your beautiful photos truly captured the awe-inspiring essence of your trip!

xo, Jo
http://www.cutandchic.com

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You could have not put all of this is one post. This is just too much beauty! Japan seems so colorful, and I would love to experience that first hand. Since I’m not going anytime soon, your blog posts make me think I’m there! Thank you for allowing me to travel vicariously though you!

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WOW your photos are incredible. Love touring it through your photos. It must be on my bucket list.

Xxgracie

snappedbygracie.com

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Hiroshima is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂
Very nice shots of the scenery too!

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wow these photos of you are so beautiful! all those cherry blossoms are making me want to go visit! hope your week is going well darling xo, sharon

http://www.stylelullaby.com/beauty/skinfix-faves-battling-desert-dry-skin/
@stylelullaby

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I love visiting historic sights when I’m at a new country because it’s a great way to learn about the past and how the present is shaped by such aspects of the past. Thanks for introducing me to Hiroshima, definitely need to check out this little gem when I’m in Japan this year! xo~ Lena
http://www.thewanderliste.com

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I didn’t know that you can actually touch the Great Torii when the tide is low and water recede to expose it. It must been super cool. It must have been incredibly emotion to visit the a-bombing site and the memorial that was built on top of it. While we hope that history does not repeats itself, it is also great to remember what has happened as a reminder.

~ xo Sheree
Posh Classy Mom
Instagram

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Great review and beautiful places . Would see myself the Great Torii with their incredibile outdoors and turistical places.
This post is touching and emotonal also for me. The end of the post make me feel better when you talk about peace & love. <3 We hope in the better future.
xx
Eva
http://www.themermaidfashion.com

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I’m pretty sure you got lots of luck from the Great Torii, but this is actually secondary. When I saw there would be a part II to your Hiroshima post I was expecting this. What I didn’t expect was that I would be in tears reading it too. I am not Japanese, nor do I have a Japanese upbringing, but seeing that dome sent a shiver down my spine and I’m tearing up here in a coffee shop in London. War doesn’t affect one place alone, war affects humankind and is inexcusable.
A warm hug from a cold London,
Thomas

http://thomasfalkenstedt.com

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The Great Torii is a magnificent experience! It must be really exciting to see it in person than in pictures. So happy to see you have enjoyed it so much!!! when I arrived in Paris for the first time, I cried and I was filled with lots of excitement. All your pictures are so wonderful!!!

xx, Gina

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Such gorgeous photos! Love the contrast between the remnants of the dome and the fresh blooming cherry blossoms. It’s a message that life will continue to rebuild itself.

xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com

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What a beautiful island! I’m all about history and the outdoors so naturally I would love to visit Miyajima Island. It looks like there is so much to do there and to see and eat!! I can see why Hiroshima has so much meaning and nostalgia for you. Especially because you are Japanese. It’s so tragic what happened…

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Man, amazing! My friend is over there, oh, actually, two of them are, at the moment. I really hope that they get to go over and check these sites out. It would be so haunting and so interesting at the same time. I am sure your perspective on it must have been interesting for Gail too.
xx Jenelle
http://www.inspiringwit.com

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Wow. Hiroshima looks incredible but also so surreal…I think it would be difficult to go there and see the A Bomb Dome. It’s so interesting that you learned about WWII from the Japanese and American perspectives. Your photos are beautiful, as always 🙂

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Wow, these photos are amazing! It looks like such an interesting place to explore!

http://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com

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This is such a beautiful place with so much history. I’m glad you’ve gotten multiple perspectives because as an American, I’ve only grown up with the one side. I think it’s great to see the past and learn from it, so this trip looks more special than ever.
Jordan xx
http://thehatlogic.com

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I cannot explain to you how jealous I am of this trip. This sounds so amazing. I have never been to Asia and I have been dying to go!! Your pictures are so amazing!

meg
http://www.meghanlaurie.com

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Take me back to Japan pleaseeee!!! Oh well, I am going there in a month ish hehe.

http://www.thequinoxfashion.com/

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so jealous of this trip! what a cool place to be! I hope to go one day!

xo, Samira
http://www.leathertolunch.com

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Your blog post are always so fun to read. You make me want to visit this place. Your pictures are always amazing.

Xo,
Gabriela Vera
http://www.gverastyle.blogspot.com

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I’m dying to visit Japan babe!!! I saw on IG stories you meet Rob hahaha so fun Im glad yo guys finally meet.
Cant wait to see more pics on the blog. On the other hand Hiroshima looks absolutely beautiful and cant wait to visit this place sometime soon.

xoxo
Marcy

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Yeah we did!! I didn’t know you two were friends, maybe we’ll all meet sometime in the near future 🙂

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