Additional comments from the present (Sep. 3, 2019): Just want to provide some context for the next series of entires. In August of 2018 I took a work trip to Hiroshima, Japan. I also had the opportunity to extend my stay for five additional days, so of course I did that. Just like Patagonia this originally appeared on my FaceBook page, so I’m moving the trip to here. I promise we’ll get to current happenings soon.
July 31 – August 1, 2018
Today (yesterday and today?) has been long, and it isn’t over. It’s 17:50-ish as I write this and I still need to find dinner at some point.
Planes, trains, and automobiles (the part of the automobile will be played by a bus)!
My flight from LAX to Tokyo was business class on ANA, and it was radtastic. I got my own pod, three windows, and a ton of room. The service on ANA was impeccable. Absolutely top notch.
I got some snacks, had a few Suntory Hibiki whiskys, ate some udon, watched an awful movie (I don’t even remember what it was). After that I laid my bed flat, and slept.
At least I tried. It was fitful, at best. A bigger pillow would have helped. I should have asked. Or grabbed another. The flight had an odd amount of empty seats.
Anyhow, eventually I got up, and was served an entire “post-nap” meal. I chose the Japanese option. Was not let down. It was actually too much to finish, but it was tasty.

Landed in Tokyo, went through customs, aced the test first try.

Japan officially let me in the country. Did the weird recheck of the bag, followed by a bus ride to the domestic terminal, followed by waiting. Which I filled by wandering the terminal looking for an ATM.
An ATM I eventually located, but learned was busted. Awesome. Each vending machine I passed taunted me. Had to settle from a bottle of water from one of the many stores that finally opened (I was at the airport super early in the AM).

The flight to Hiroshima was quick, painless, and allowed me some sleep. More empty seats that awarded me a full row to myself. That’s never a bad thing.
I did wake up enough to see the airport, which says “Hiroshima” on the ground next to the runway. The airport runway actually extends off a cliff, and there is a really long… scaffold of sorts I suppose that’s been painted bright orange and extends out off the runway. If anyone has any idea what it is and why it is… I’m all ears.
Embarrassingly, I could NOT figure out how to buy a bus ticket with no cash. I think someone told me, but I forgot. Soooo… I ended up asking for help at the info desk, and the woman went with me to make it all happen. Everyone I’ve encountered on this trip this far has been truly kind.
45 minutes later and I was at Hiroshima Station, headed towards the Sheraton. But I made a detour first, and headed into the station for some supplies. Finally found a working ATM, and picked up an ICOCA card (essentially a prepaid card for the trains/streetcars/etc) that I’ll use the whole trip.
Because it was barely 10am my room wasn’t ready. Even though it was so early, I unfortunately missed my appointment to see the Mazda Museum, which just means I’ll have to come back at some point.
With a wide open agenda, and some unearned confidence (I had to ask someone to help buy the IC card, too) I headed back into the train station to find a street car. To be honest, once I got my bearings it was pretty easy to get around. There is a lot of English signage as well.
I also bought some sweat. Pocari Sweat to be exact. As near as I can figure out it’s some sports drink that does not taste like sweat. It’s good, but I’m not totally certain what the actual flavor is. 7.5/10, will drink again.

The dome. THE dome. You get off the street car, wonder for a second where to go, look left, and BAM! There it is. For some reason I expected it to be more isolated. I don’t know why, I just did.

As I walked up there was an obvious feeling in the air. The cicadas were insanely loud. Everything just felt… weird. I walked around. Took a lot of pictures. But I also just sat and looked more than I usually would. Watching people looking at the dome was interesting. The range was huge. Nationalities as well as reactions.
I spoke to a survivor. It was a touch surreal. He showed me pictures of what it was like after. A 4km radius simply ceased to exist at 8:15am August 6, 1945.
The dome was interesting, but the place that hit me even harder was the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. Reading the plaques, seeing the numbers, thinking through it all… harder than you might imagine. There is a round room that represents the 140,000 people that died in 1945 alone. I don’t even have the right words.

That and the “arch” (I’ll remember the right word eventually) that frames an eternal flame and the dome. Those two places were the most difficult.
I had to shift gears, so I purchased a boat ticket to Miyajima from the terminal near the dome. Another 45 minute ride, this time on water, and I arrived.

Miyajima is an island in Hiroshima bay that is known for its woods, and temples. The Great Torii Gate sits just offshore and marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which happens to be a world heritage site.
I wandered the streets. Had an ice cream and a beer for a snack. Grabbed some Miyajima de Gansu (fish and veg fried in a patty, completely amazing). Hung out with some deer. The island is also home to wild deer that chill with the visitors. It’s pretty cool. I watched more than one attempt to thieve people’s snacks. Comedy.
Found a little place for lunch, and ate the most amazing Katsudon I’ve ever had. Not that I’m an expert or anything.

I visited the Itsukushima Shrine as well before saying goodbye to Miyajima. A quick ferry, another 45 minute train ride, and my room was finally ready.
Which brings us to about now, and I’m starving again. Seven hours of walking a city will build an appetite.
I apologize for the insanely long entry, but it was a long day (2?). Plus, the next few days entries will be very short. Work meetings coming up.
Before I go… it is hot. Like, insanely hot. And humid. I don’t know how it’s possible to sweat SO much. Not looking forward to business attire.
Night, people. At least the one person still reading.























































