Day 12 - A day trip to Hiroshima!

Students had an early start, full of excitement for our day trip to Hiroshima. After spending an hour and half on the Shinkansen, students hopped on a ferry to visit our first destination, Miyajima island.  

Upon the arrival of the island, we visited the Itsukushima shrine, which is known as one of the most beautiful sceneries in Japan. As we walked to the shrine, students enjoyed taking photos with the wild and friendly residential deer. Students also enjoyed taking photos in front of its famed vermillion torii gate submerged in water, which made our visit even more memorable. On Miyajima island, students had the opportunity to try a local snack of Momiji manju, a leaf-shaped cake with sweet filling. Students enjoyed a variety of flavours from the favourite of chocolate to the traditional red bean paste. 

After saying good bye to the Miyajima deer, we visited the Atomic-Bomb Dome followed by the Hiroshima Peace Park. The experience, albeit sobering, students with an insight into the haunting effects of war. The long-standing building as well as thousands of paper cranes on display provided awareness of the tragedies of the past and more importantly, and incentive for peace in the future. 

Before heading back to our hotel in Kyoto, for dinner, students had Okonomiyaki again - this time in Hiroshima style! Instead of cooking by ourselves like last time, this time we enjoyed watching our chefs deftly preparing, piling and flipping ingredients, amazing us with hot, delicious Okonomiyaki, eaten freshly off the stove. 

With our hunger satisfied, we hopped on the Shinkansen back to Kyoto. Tomorrow, we are exploring the historical significance of the city of Kyoto.