We left Kyoto by Shinkansen. One day they hopefully will allow Japan Rail Passers to use the Nozomi class trains. There are five times more of these than the Hikari, and they also go further so you can avoid transfers.
We had to change to another bullet train at Shin-Kobe, meaning we had to carry our luggage out, wait for a while, and boarded the Sakura, which is the equivalent of the Hikari. All these trains are similar and Green Car accommodations too. It is a matter of timing and schedules. A close-up of Kobe hills from the station:
My bento:
Hiroshima was founded in 1589 as a castle town, and now has a population of 2 million. It is best remembered as the first city targeted for an Atomic Bomb, which was dropped on the city at 8:15AM on 6 August 1945. Most of the city was destroyed and up to 166,000 died.
We caught the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus just by showing our Japan Rail Pass. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is a must visit:
We were a week early for Fall colors.
We also stopped at Shukkeien, a Japanese garden located adjacent to the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum. Here is where Shoguns have lived and the Imperial General Headquarters were re-located. Ground zero was close to this garden.
My particular interest was a Black and White Koi, which like the Matsumoto Gold Koi, ate a gel cap of Pearl's ashes. Approaching the location:
My Blue-bar Pigeon led me to Pearl's Black and White Koi. What a wonderful reunion. Other Shukkeien scenes:
See that yellow Gingko Tree in the background? This was about the only living thing that survived the Atomic Bomb, being almost at ground zero. Below, this lantern also survived:
Interestingly enough, the only Gold Koi I saw here looked very similar to the Matsumoto Gold Koi:
A guide here, Hiro Yoshihara, gave us a personal tour and wished us goodbye:
Very, very nice man.
The Hiroshima Sheraton executive lounge is on par with most in Japan, except that they begin serving wine and beer from noon.
Finally, breakfast before our departure to Yokohama:
Fall colors from the Shinkansen:
Alas, Mount Fuji was clouded over. My final bullet train bento for this trip:
Teriyaki chicken with beans, a hotdog, giant tempura hasu (lotus), rakkyo and musubi, with sake and beer. Tomorrow, we board the Diamond Princess.
The Hiroshima Sheraton executive lounge is on par with most in Japan, except that they begin serving wine and beer from noon.
Finally, breakfast before our departure to Yokohama:
Fall colors from the Shinkansen:
Alas, Mount Fuji was clouded over. My final bullet train bento for this trip:
Teriyaki chicken with beans, a hotdog, giant tempura hasu (lotus), rakkyo and musubi, with sake and beer. Tomorrow, we board the Diamond Princess.
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