Hiroshima

[GoldenDalton]

I very mush want to go to the peace museum in Hiroshima.

Has anyone been to Chukogu in general and Hiroshima in particular? I'm wary of going there. I don't want to enter a place in which I might cause people discomfort and/or experience hostility from the locals.

I definitely am not trying to get into a political discussion here. I've got two of my own wars to contend with psychologically. I just read a book about the region and I think it might be enlightening to see the peace memorial.

Again,I'm just interested in it from a traveler's perspective, not to discuss the rightness or wrongness of anything.

 

[Wwanderer]

I visited Peace Park in Hiroshima and felt no awkwardness or discomfort at all; in fact, several interactions with Japanese people in the museum and park, probably locals, left me with the impression that they were glad to have foreigners coming to see, remember and try to relate to what happened there. It was a somber and moving experience that I recall vividly after almost a quarter of a century.

-Ww

 

[LovePilot]

Wwanderer did an excellent job of describing my experience as well.

The only thing I would add is that I never knew until I visited the museum that a building with objects in it could bring tears to my eyes. I was not watching video or hearing music, just looking at the objects. It also has not happened since.

Highly recommended experience...

 

[GoldenDalton]

I visited Peace Park in Hiroshima and felt no awkwardness or discomfort at all; in fact, several interactions with Japanese people in the museum and park, probably locals, left me with the impression that they were glad to have foreigners coming to see, remember and try to relate to what happened there. It was a somber and moving experience that I recall vividly after almost a quarter of a century.

-Ww

What about treatment of gaijin outside the memorial, out and about in the area? Any observable differences between Chukogu and the rest of Japan? I've been to Dresden in Germany and I did not like it. Totally different country I know- id just rather avoid any anti- American sentiment, even if it may be partially expected/observed.

 

[GoldenDalton]

Wwanderer did an excellent job of describing my experience as well.

The only thing I would add is that I never knew until I visited the museum that a building with objects in it could bring tears to my eyes. I was not watching video or hearing music, just looking at the objects. It also has not happened since.

Highly recommended experience...

In thinking I may add this experience to my next return. I was thinking Nagano and the alps but Western Honshu is supposed to be beautiful, too.

 

[meiji]

It's been some years, but I had no negative treatment when I was at Hiroshima. Note there's also a pretty amazing area near Hiroshima called Miyajima, which is a grouping of shrines and temples -- it's a short ferry ride away from Hiroshima. They have a lot of free-roaming deer there, too (think Nara). I'd definitely recommend it for anyone going to Hiroshima or that area.

 

[Wwanderer]

I second meiji's comments on Miyajima (a do not miss place, imo) and on the experience of being in that part of Japan in general.

On the other hand, I haven't noticed anything when I have been in Dresden either, so maybe I am just insensitive to such things.

-Ww

 

[GoldenDalton]

I second meiji's comments on Miyajima (a do not miss place, imo) and on the experience of being in that part of Japan in general.

On the other hand, I haven't noticed anything when I have been in Dresden either, so maybe I am just insensitive to such things.

-Ww

Yeah my experiences have been strange I think.

For me Japan is a "safe place" free from the drama in my normal life. I don't want to bring any negativity into the country as a result. I want to experience Hiroshima, Miyajima, really all Chukogu.

My next non- working trip I'm going to land in Fukuoka and then make my way east, seeing Chukogu in the fullest and then unwinding in Tokyo.

 

[Raven]

I have been to Hiroshima and Miyajima last August. Both are nice places. I loved the Hiroshima city. Not many tall buildings like Tokyo and a great tram service to see the city with. But I was a bit turned off by the number of tourists in both of the locations. There were just too many. Felt too commercialized - at least for me. I have the same feeling for Kyomizudera in Kyoto as well. You will not have any trouble from the locals in Hiroshima. They are friendly and very used to foreigners.

You should also visit Nagasaki, Fukuoka and other places in Kyushu as well. I personally like Kyushu a lot.

 

[GoldenDalton]

I have been to Hiroshima and Miyajima last August. Both are nice places. I loved the Hiroshima city. Not many tall buildings like Tokyo and a great tram service to see the city with. But I was a bit turned off by the number of tourists in both of the locations. There were just too many. Felt too commercialized - at least for me. I have the same feeling for Kyomizudera in Kyoto as well. You will not have any trouble from the locals in Hiroshima. They are friendly and very used to foreigners.

You should also visit Nagasaki, Fukuoka and other places in Kyushu as well. I personally like Kyushu a lot.

I also live Kyushu. Lived in Saga briefly.

How much time is necessary to see the sites in Hiroshima?

Let's say I want to see:

Peace memorial
Children's memorial
Memorial museum
Atomic bomb dome
Hiroshima Castle
Explore Miyajima

How many days did you devote to this? Also is Miyajima large enough to have hotels and restaurants ?

 

[dreams]

3 days should be fine.
There are I think a few hotles in Miyajima, but you can perfectly visit it in one day from Hiroshima. it is prtety dead assoon as the sun sets....

 

[Raven]

3 days is reasonable for Hiroshima but it depends on how detailed you want to visit the peace memorial museum. Still I do not expect that you will spend more than one day for it though. Perhaps 4 days if you do a real detailed tour of Hiroshima but not more. I spent more days in the city and its arcades than the museum itself. The Hiroshima castle is smaller than it sounds. You should be able to see it fairly quickly.

I would also recommend a day's visit to Miyajima from Hiroshima. I did not stay overnight and visited only the temple and the market around it which were both at the sea level. I believe there is also a tour up the hill. Still a day should be enough I think. Watch out for the deer. They may bite.

 

[GoldenDalton]

Thanks to all: I'll be on the lookout for psycho deer!