Author: Linda

Korahuen Garden –  April 8, 2025

  • Location:  Okayama – Day 1
  • Walk:  Okayama 
  • Weather:  45-75°/ partly cloudy, wind 15-25 mph HOLD ONTO YOUR HAT.

OVERVIEW

WALK: 5m from Hotel Miyjima Villa to Miyajima Port 

FERRY: 15m from Miyajima Port on JR Ferry to Miyajimaguchi Port 

WALK: 5m from Miyajimaguchi Port to Miyajimaguy Station 

TRAIN:  45m @ 11:03pm from Miyajimaguchi Station on Tokaifo*San-yo Line to Hiroshima Station @11:31pm

TRAIN: 1h 30m @ 11:38pm from Hiroshima Station on Kodaka 850 Line CAR 5 SEAT 12-A to Okayama Station @12:55pm 

WALK: 15m from Okayama Station to Hotel Best Grande Okayama

Korahuen Garden one of the three best gardens in Japan. It powerfully showcases all for seasons. 

Korahuen Garden.
Stepping Stones.
Japanese Maple Trees.
Japanese maple trees in the spring.

By Night –  April 7, 2025 

  • Location:  Itsukushima Island – Day 2
  • Walk:  Miyajima
  • Weather:  55-65°/ sunny, wind 10-15 mph 

Miyajima by night. Sushi splurge at a Michelin awarded restaurant. The sushi chef is an artist. The sushi was so delicious, light, distinct in flavor, and the presentation a work of art. The evening was further enhanced by chatting with the neighboring couple at the bar. How will I ever go back to Kansas?

Sushi Chef.
Couple had lived in LA at the time of the Twin Towers Explosion. Their daughter lives in NYC. I supported the mother’s plans to visit her daughter monthly. A daughter needs her mother.
Humble entrance. Dinner by reservation only.
Torii gate at dusk.

Google Translator –  April 6, 2025 

  • Location:  Itsukushima Island – Day 1
  • Walk:  Miyajima
  • Weather:  55-65°/ sunny, wind 10-15 mph

I took the ropeway/gondola 🚠 towards Mt Misen then hiked to its summit at 1,755’. As the ropeway took 30 minutes, I was skeptical how long it would take to hike down. With Google Translate I asked a souvenir salesman. He rolled his head back and with the most affectionate laughter said, “One hour.”  So, can I trust Google Translator at getting the right meaning across? Spot on as I hiked to the sea in an hour. 

Ropeline/Gondola.
Beloved Shikoku Island from my 2019 trip.
Summit.
“One hour!”

Flush $ –  April 6, 2025 

  • Location:  Itsukushima Island – Day 1
  • Walk: Miyajima
  • Weather:  55-65°/ sunny, wind 10-15 mph 

OVERVIEW

WALK:  10m from APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Shinkansenguchi to Hiroshima Station 

TRAIN:  30m from Hiroshima Station on JR San-yo Line to Miyajimaguichi Station

WALK: 10m from Miyajimaguichi Station to Miyajimaguichi Port for Miyajima Ferry

FERRY:  20m from Miyajimaguichi Port on Miyajima Ferry to Miyajima Port on Itsukushima Island 

WALK: 5m from Miyajima Port to Hotel Miyajima Villa

A mix up in today’s reservation leaves me on an island with a mainland reservation. Flush that money down the toilet. I immediately got an island resort reservation for a scrumptious room with a view of Seto Island Sea, an Onsen overlooking the sea, and a message chair in my room.  I’m worth every yen. 

Red Torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
When the moon is at a particular phase during low tide, you can walk to the Torii gate.
Cherry Blossoms.
Massage chair. I had no idea my shoulders were so tight.

From Ashes –  April 5, 2025 

  • Location: Hiroshima Day 3
  • Walk:  Hiroshima
  • Weather:  55-65°/ sunny, wind 10-15 mph 

About Hiroshima are haunting reminders of the August 6, 1945 atomic bomb’s holocaust but never with hateful blame cast to America. It is thought as an act of war. Consistently the people of Hiroshima’s message is protect and preserve peace. I have come to Hiroshima to show my respect for the destruction of its people, place, and culture. The people of Hiroshima are resilient in recreating itself and promoting peace.

Skukkeien Garden after the atomic bomb.
Skukkeien garden rebuilt over ashes.
View of Peace Memorial Park from “Hijiyama Sky Walk Park.
Gathering under cherry blossoms at Hijiyama Park. Why don’t Virginians gather under dogwood blossoms?

Peace Pagoda –  April 5, 2025

  • Location: Hiroshima Day 3
  • Walk:  Hiroshima
  • Weather:  50-60°/ mixed clouds and sun, wind 10-15 mph

The Buddhist Stupa “Hiroshima Peace Pagoda” sits 465’ up Mt Futaba. It was built in 1966 by Buddhist monks. Inside are thousands of stones each representing a prayer for peace from the Hiroshima residents. It also contains ashes from the historic Buddha donated by the Prime Minister of India and a group of Mongolian Monks.

Hiroshima Peace Pagoda
I met this yoga instructor with her students who walked up Mt Futaba and were having tea. They shared tea, candy treats, Sun Salutation, and kindness. Yeap, I’m all choked up again.
Yoga practitioners enjoying the cherry blossoms.
Mt Futaba’s cherry trees overlooking Hiroshima.