9 Japan DAY 4 –AGAIN BULLET TRAIN: FROM OSAKA TO TOKYO, JAPAN (27 April, 2014)

The travelling time from Osaka to Tokyo by bullet train is three hours. The distance between the two cities is 511.2 km, travelling by road would take six hours and thirty minutes.

In bullet train Shinkansen Hikari 506. Apr. 27, 2014

     This information is enough to bear witness to the speed of a bullet train. And travellers are sometimes left in awe. I would have been in awe as well, if I was someone else that is. In fact when I heard of the speed of the bullet train, my mind and my expression remained blank. After all could you except a sleepy girl to be interested in such information when all she could think about was to gain rest, my answer is no. As a matter of fact, during the whole journey from Osaka to Tokyo I was alternating between sleep and consciousness. Now why am I mentioning this, simple to serve as a warning to people who plan their trips. Don’t book your train tickets at six thirty in the morning, you will be half asleep later on in the train and miss what might be beautiful views outside the window.

Shinkansen Hikari 506 train ticket. Apr. 27, 2014.

     Now to the main point, why did my father think it was a wonderful idea to book the tickets at 6.30 AM, apparently it was for the sake of the main purpose of the whole trip, visiting Tokyo Disney Sea. Truth be told, when I heard that I was not happy, in fact, feelings of dread filled me. Once upon a time, when I was still a kid I told my parents that I wished to visit Disneyland, and holding that in mind, my parents had booked tickets for both Disneyland and Disney Sea. As was my nature I had urged with them about it, but had to shut my mouth after hearing the price they had to pay.

     The bullet train Shinkansen Hikari 506 started at 6.27 AM from Shin-Osaka station. The first stopping was Kyoto (6.42 AM; 15 min), yes we had a chance of crossing Kyoto for a second time. One unique thing I noticed in bullet trains was, the ticket-checking officers or other service staff bow at the door every time they enter or leave the car. This gesture serves as a sign of respect, getting attention from the passengers and apologizing for interrupting them. Can we expect such respect from public servicemen or policemen in India even after 50 years?

Arrival at Tokyo. Apr. 27, 2014.

     After arriving Tokyo, we had to take Keiyo line to Maihama station which was near Disney resort. The Tokyo railway station was very big and complicated as well. There were many railway lines and many floors. However, as we knew the name of the railway line, it was easy for us to find out the platform with the help of clear guiding signboards. 

Moving walkway at Tokyo railway station. Apr. 27, 2014. 

     
     There were many ‘moving walkways’ (also called, Passenger conveyor belts, ‘Travelators, Moving pavements, or Autowalks), very helpful to lazy people for easy walk!  

    

Keiyo line train to Maihama station. Apr. 27, 2014.

     

     At Maihama station, we waited for the hotel shuttle bus. This service is available only on Saturdays and Sundays; during weekdays, we have to take another train, the Disney Resort Line (an automated Monorail, yes no engine driver for this train), get down at Bayside station and get to the hotel either by walking or by the regular hotel shuttle bus. 

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel shuttle bus. Apr. 27, 2014.

     We chose this hotel Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay as it was just one station away from Disney Sea and three stations away from Disney Land by Monorail.

In Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel shuttle bus. Apr. 27, 2014.

     

     So after leaving our luggage in the hotel, we made our way to Tokyo Disney Sea.

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel. Apr. 27, 2014.

8 Japan DAY 3 – LITTLE BOY DROPPED ON WIDE ISLAND, HIROSHIMA, JAPAN (26 April, 2014)

Our Hiroshima tour guide Enamie-san or Amie-san as she preferred to be called, was born in 1945, the year of atomic bombing in Hiroshima. She said that she was in her mother’s womb that time. At the time of bombing (6 Aug 1945; 8.15 AM), her parents who were residents of Hiroshima weren't in the town; they were on the way back home from another town and the train was stopped hearing the news. By luck, they evaded serious injuries, death and the radiation. Thank goodness for that!

With our tour guide, Amie-san. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

   “Do you know the meaning of Hiroshima?” was the first question asked by our guide. No point in squeezing our brain; so we just looked at her face with no expression on our face. Understanding our position, she herself came out with the answer that, ‘Hiro’ means wide and ‘shima’ means island.      

     The bomb nicknamed ‘Little Boy’ aimed at Aioi bridge which was ‘T’-shaped, easy for targeting. Little Boy destroyed everything within 12.6 sq. km area to ashes.

The ‘T’ shaped bridge that backdropped us. 

Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     After returning from the Miyajima island, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and museum. Hiroshima Peace Memorial is commonly called, ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’ or Genbaku Dome which was one of the buildings standing after the bombing. It stands as an evidence to discourage the use of atomic bomb in the future as well as a testament to the people to maintain peace.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     

     We then went to Children’s Peace Monument, a place dedicated to a girl who had leukaemia a blood cancer caused in her by the radiation from bombing. She hoped that she could survive the leukaemia if she followed an old myth.

Children’s Peace Monument. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     According to the old myth if you fold a thousand cranes, you are granted one wish. Till now it hasn't been known the exact number of cranes she folded, but nonetheless, hats off to her. Our guide gifted us cranes which she folded at home and brought for us. Thank you, Amie-sen!

    That is the reason how cranes became the sign of peace and hope.

     Following this, we saw the Peace Bell under which Albert Einstein had stood out of curiosity to see what it felt like to stand under and inside a bell when it was ringing. It wasn't dangerous as one hardly heard anything; the explanation is simple, the noise within the bell cancelled out each other; Physics..!

Peace Bell. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     We saw an inscription on the bell in Sanskrit, its translation in Japanese is “Know Thyself” an ancient Greek quote. A few Indians from North part of India were there; our guide asked them to read the inscription, they tried but failed.    

     The Memorial Cenotaph was the last, being located at the end of the park. This Cenotaph holds the name of those killed in the nuclear attack. The visitors were offering flowers and burning incense before it in reverence for the lost souls. If you were to look through the interior part of the arch, you would see the park all the way to the Atomic Bomb Dome aligned in a single line.

The Memorial Cenotaph. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     Our last stop before the end of the trip was the museum which was only a few meters away from the Cenotaph.

The museum is seen. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     The contents in the museum were mainly of the items possessed by the people when they died. For example, a broken pocket watch, a uniform, shoes, bottles, nameplates etc. All these objects had a story behind them and that was the reason they were displayed. Other than that at the first floor, they had the model of the town before and after the bombing. The museum had two buildings both interconnected by a passageway. The Hiroshima visit for me was over faster than I would have liked due to the time constraints, but there was no doubt in my mind that I would visit again Hiroshima.

A link for a short video:

Jinu-Hiroshima visit on Apr 26, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMz_tme4qa0&feature=youtu.be

7 Japan DAY 3 –FLOATING SHRINE (TEMPLE?), MIYAJIMA ISLAND, HIROSHIMA, JAPAN (26 April, 2014)

Shrine or temple? Ok, let me clear this first, the title confusion. Shrine is a worshiping place for Shinto Gods of Shintoism, whereas temple in Japan mainly means the place to practice Buddhism. Shinto is an indigenous religion of Japan practiced by 80% of the population. This is what I understood, as far as Japan is concerned, Shintoism and Buddhism are related religions and they are complemented each other. Shinto means the way of the Gods. Here ‘way’ means path or entrance. That is the reason why, all Shinto shrines contain a gate called Torii Gate which forms a boundary between the spirit and the human worlds. Simply speaking, the life or material world events (marriage, job, business etc.) are handled by Shintoism and death or afterlife events (funeral) are by Buddhism.

Hiroshima railway station, Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     Okay, let me back to my story. Hiroshima was very different from what I had in my mind. First of all, there was not a trace that the town had once been completely destroyed and second, it was well developed and a sprawling town at a glance.

At Hotel Granvia Hiroshima lobby waiting for the tour bus,
Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     However I did not study more of the little town as my parents made their way to Hotel Granvia Hiroshima where we had to meet our tour guide at 10 am. The guide arrived precisely. My mother had gone of somewhere (window-shopping at hotel lobby, out of our sight); so while I waited for her, my father followed the guide to situate the bus where to take. Not sooner had he left, my mother returned and we too went outside the hotel lobby. It seemed the bus was ready to leave at least that was what I concluded when I saw my father’s urgent signal in the universal gesture ‘hurry up’.

     Fortunately we made it to the bus in time and ourselves seated comfortably. I was not happy though the anxiety of missing the bus often hinders my already quaint ability to enjoy the tour. But I did enjoy this trip in the end so I would not bother with the woes of package tours.

Hiroshima Castle is seen. On the way to Miyajima island.
Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     First we stopped near the Hiroshima Castle to take some pictures. This Castle was originally built in 1589 by the powerful feudal lord Mori Terumoto. It was destroyed in 1945 by atomic bomb attack and was rebuilt in 1958.

Ferry to Miyajima island. Torii gate is seen. Hiroshima, Japan. 
Apr. 26, 2014

     Then we made our way to a ferry harbour in Hatsukaichi City in South-western Hiroshima. We took a ferry to Miyajima Island, to visit Itsukushima Shrine The Shrine is usually surrounded with sea water and look as if the shrine is floating on sea. Unfortunately it was low tide when we visited, however, we did find a lot of crabs which for some reason had my mother excited.

The wooden spoon at Miyajima island. Hiroshima, Japan. 
Apr. 26, 2014

     A style of wooden spoon used to serve cooked rice, without impairing the taste, is said to have been invented by a monk who lived on the island. The spoon is a popular souvenir, and there were some outsized examples around the shopping district.

     The island had a lot of deer which seemed to be unafraid of humans going as far as coming close enough to be touched and not flinching when touched. The guide warned us to be careful with our pamphlets saying that the deer would try to eat it if given the opportunity. Before the ferry station, she told us that after the shrine tour we were free to wander until 2 pm, after which they had to assemble there.

The great Torii gate of Miyajima, Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     The shrine had a torii gate in the water, large enough to let boats pass and a smaller one on land through which we passed apparently this was the first form of purification.

A purification ritual in Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima island. 

Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

    The second form was done by oneself with water provided before entering the temple. Our guide showed us how to do it and after her tutorial a few from our group tried it. By using the wooden ladle the water is scooped and poured on the left hand (rinsing) followed by the same process for the right hand, shift the ladle again to the right hand and scoop water to pour it over the left palm, take a small sip of water to rinse the mouth, wash the left hand again and return the ladle face down to the chozu bowl.

     Since it was the first time I visited a Shinto shrine I listened to the guide the best I could with my parents making frequent stops to take pictures.

The Floating Shrine on the Sea during low tide in Miyajima island. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     Our guide mostly talked about the relations between Buddhism and Shintoism which gradually developed from initial disagreements to mutual coexistence with effects on the constructions of the shrines. Even the method of praying in Shintoism she showed us at the altar, was similar to Buddhists form of prayer.

     The tour of the shrine ended with an explanation of the festival which occurs every low tide period, and the beautiful dance performed as it course.

Lunch-Oyster noodles at Miyajima island. 
Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     After our group disbanded me and my parents wandered around the market which we had passed on our way to the shrine to find a place to eat. Finally, my parents decided to eat at Okonomiyaki restaurant which had been pointed out by the guide. It was definitely worth the search the Oyster noodles was delicious and we enjoyed. But my father apparently felt like eating sweets so we bought ourselves some red bean bread from a sweets shop located at the end of the market street.

     It was official after I had a taste of the bread red bean would always be my favourite filling the taste was natural and it had a sweet flavor yet not enough to make me puke.

With our tour guide at Miyajima island. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr 26, 2014

     When we made it to the meeting point, only the guide was standing there as a result we started talking about the atomic bomb and her circumstances then.