Hiroshima
Today we spent time in central Hiroshima starting in then around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. There is a bit more in a previous post where I let the pictures speak for themselves. We were lucky to have a clear day for our visit, the park was busy but not too bad. We walked north through the Peace Park taking our time and I was moved to tears. History books, etc discuss about what happened here and the effect on the city. Some time ago I bumped into articles on how others in Japan discovered something was wrong, the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation (Now NHK) and the military found they had lost contact with assets in the city and their efforts to reestablish contact with them were failing. When both (separately) sent personnel to see what had happened they reported back the event. Also, one of our guide’s family is from Nagasaki and said their Grandmother survived the bombing there, she was blown out of her bed in a dorm. All this made it very relatable to me, and brought emotions out on this visit. Even writing this I tear up.
After the park we headed to Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, one of the few tall buildings around the park. Opened in 2016, it’s goal is the same as the park’s, promoting peace around the world. The setting at the top is serene and offer great views of the city overall. On the floor below the observation deck there is an interactive zone and stations where you make origami paper cranes and drop them in the Orizuru Wall, a glass panel wall that will eventually be filled up with these folded cranes.
The builders added a bit of whimsy for your decent from the tower if you wanted, you could take a slide to the 11th floor to the second floor. Of course we did it.
For the afternoon/evening Inside Japan arranged for us to go on a “Best of Hiroshima Night Food Tour”. With our guide Ami we were joined by Pam and Kevin Rodman of Connecticut who were visiting Japan for a few weeks. We started off with some beers (and snacks) at Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing then Sake at Yamatoya Naka-machi. Ami also stopped at a vending machine on the walk where we got a local specialty, Momiji manjū, a confection made of buckwheat and rice cake shaped like a Japanese maple leaf.
The real surprise came when we stopped at Okonomimura, a multi-story food hall that has multiple food stalls on each floor. You walked off the elevator and the sights, sounds and aromas hit you right away. We stopped by to try Okonomiyaki, a dish that originated in Hiroshima. I had never heard of this dish, Kim and Kevin had, being the primary cooks in our respective houses. It was a fantastic surprise for me.
We ended the tour with some Taiyaki from Naruto Taiyaki Honpo. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake usually filled with anko (a sweet red bean paste) however other fillings like like custard or sweet potato are sometimes used. This was a nice way to end our tour with fellow foodies. Pam and Keven were great company and we had nice conversations about many things. Diets for all of us upon returning home. We all benefitted from the guidance and patience from Ami who took good care of us and was patient with me as I lagged behind as usual. Thanks Ami!
広 (hiro) meaning “wide” or “broad” and 
