Osaka to Hiroshima and Wanderings

Today we traveled from Osaka to Hiroshima via bullet train.  Armed with a better knowledge of the transportation system and local knowledge of how to get to places we were able to use the subway to get from Namba (local main JR Rail Station) to Shinosaka (the main Rail Station for Osaka).  There were closer subway stations, but carrying down suitcases on stairways was not optimal.  So in less than 10 minutes we're at the Namba station trying to work out where to go.  Turns out we should have just gone down as the ticketing was down there along with station staff to assist with enquiries.  Quick note here, JR passes only work on JR trains, not all trains are JR trains, so while we could get to Universal studios using the JR pass, it could not be used on the subway, this is also the same in Tokyo.

So we get to Shinosaka and go to the Information Desk to seek directions to the Hiroshima line, Platform 20, we decided to chance it and not get a reserved seat, just as well we lined up early.  On that note, everything is very well organised, no matter what type of train you catch, you must line up on the platform and not cut in.  It is all very orderly.  But once on the train, every man for himself.  We got a seat thankfully as we were very up near the head of the queue.  The ride was mostly uneventful, GPS on the phone said top speed was around 308km/h.

Once in Hiroshima, we cabbed it as to get to the hotel required walking and buses, and suitcases are a right royal PITA on the bus.

Checked in our luggage at the hotel and then went for a walk to have lunch.  Found an awesome restaurant called MARU.  Without realising I had actually nodded and greeted the owner on the street as we were walking along.  When we walked in he hurried over to seat us and guide us through the menu, explained everything to us and how to get our appetisers (MYO and also mini dishes of really awesome food).  We ate the mains which were simply divine with all you can eat sticky white rice.  The price was awesome, only $25 for both of us.

Then we wandered accidentally into the shopping mall.  Wandered up and down, then round the corner to a 7-11 for some nibblies and then back to the hotel to check in.  Ate the ice creams which come in these really cute packages.  And then went for another wander.

The Hiroshima Peace Park is very sobering.  Personally I am going back in the quiet of morning during Golden Hour to get some photos.  The cherry blossoms are awesome, the memorial is very confronting, hard to think how one person could make a decision to cause that much destruction and not be accountable to the world.

Tomorrow we are heading off to the A Bomb site and then a boat to the Hiroshimagokoku Shrine.



Photos
2018-03-31 - Osaka to Hiroshima
2018-03-31 - Hiroshima Peace Park
2018-03-31 - Hiroshima Night Wanderings