March 26: Hiroshima: A Day of Reflection

The day after visiting the beautiful Miyajima Island and witnessing the sunset at Itsukushima Shrine, we began our new day in Hiroshima. Running late, we quickly grabbed some food from 7-Eleven for breakfast—where, honestly, you can find just about everything!

After finishing our breakfast, we made our way to Hiroshima Castle, a stunning five-story structure with a rich history. Originally built in 1590, the castle was destroyed in 1945 by the atomic bomb during World War II and later rebuilt in 1954. Historically, it served as the headquarters for one of the five elders on the ruling council and was later used as a military headquarters for the Japanese army.

Next, we visited Peace Memorial Park, a profoundly moving experience. The museum housed artifacts, historical accounts, and personal memories from the past. We saw the memorial, the eternal flame, the Children's Memorial, and the iconic Genbaku Dome. The atmosphere was peaceful yet powerful, carrying the weight of history and remembrance.

In Japanese, Genbaku translates to "Atomic Bomb." The Genbaku Dome, originally a four-story structure, was designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel and completed in April 1915.

The building, originally used as the Prefectural Exhibition Hall, served as a venue to display and promote the culture, history, and products of Hiroshima. It was built to boost the city's commercial presence.

The Genbaku Dome is now famous as the only structure left standing near the hypocenter when the atomic bomb exploded in 1945. The destruction impacted millions of lives in Japan and worldwide. In the aftermath, radioactive rain fell, and survivors endured severe burns, trauma, cancer, and death.

The bomb’s intense heat and light left behind haunting imprints—shadows of people who perished, known as Hitokage no Ishi. The energy absorbed by objects shielded areas behind them, leaving silhouettes of those who stood in the bomb’s path. These shadows can still be seen today on the stairs at the memorial.

Peace Memorial Park was created to honor those who lost their lives in 1945. Beyond remembrance, it stands as a plea for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the pursuit of lasting world peace.

The Children's Peace Monument tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl from Hiroshima. At just two years old, she survived the atomic bombing while living 1,600 meters from the hypocenter. She grew up healthy, full of life, and became a top runner on her school’s track team. However, at age twelve, she was diagnosed with leukemia as a result of radiation exposure.

Hoping for recovery, Sadako began folding paper cranes, inspired by the Japanese legend that anyone who folds 1,000 cranes will have their wish granted. Despite her determination, she passed away in 1955 at the age of twelve.

Her story sparked a global movement. After her passing, her classmates continued folding cranes, and in 1958, with contributions from schoolchildren, a statue of Sadako holding a paper crane was erected in Hiroshima Peace Park. This monument honors her and all the children who perished due to the atomic bomb.

To honor Sadako’s legacy, each year on August 6, Peace Day, thousands of paper cranes are placed beneath her statue by people who wish to remember Hiroshima and advocate for a peaceful world.

"The cost of war. The importance of peace."

— Written by Sierra Woosley

March 25: The Beauty of Miyakima Island

 March 25: 

On the morning of Tuesday, March 25, we left our hotel in Osaka. Taking the metro was a bit tiring, but we finally boarded the bullet train—my favorite ride, without a doubt!

When we arrived in Hiroshima, the difference was immediately noticeable. It felt much more peaceful than Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo—not crowded at all, which was a huge plus! After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we headed to the train for our next journey. It was a long trip, but the stunning views made it so enjoyable.

Our plan was to take the ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine, which stands beautifully on the water. The sight was absolutely breathtaking! While exploring, we did some shopping—I remember buying a sword and chopsticks. (Don’t worry, the sword was fake!)

We also ate at a restaurant on the island, though I can’t recall its name. I had pork cutlets, and they were delicious! It was an incredible way to kick off our first day in Hiroshima.

-Wendy

March 24: Osaka Adventures: From Samurai Castles to Ocean Wonders

 We kicked off our adventure at 8:10 a.m., reluctantly leaving the comfort of our cozy home base behind. After a surprisingly long hunt for breakfast, we finally found a gem of a spot called Marafuku. The smell of freshly prepared food filled the air, and everyone devoured their meals, savoring each bite. With full stomachs and excitement building, we set off for Osaka Castle, ready for whatever lay ahead.

While half the group stayed behind to wait for their food, the other half — already fueled up — set out on a mission to grab day passes for the metro and subway systems. It didn’t exactly go as planned. An irritable Japanese station attendant shut down Scott’s attempt to buy tickets for all of Osaka. In the end, we settled for metro-only passes — slightly disappointed, but still determined.

When we finally reached Osaka Castle, the air practically buzzed with history. Kane and I gave the group a quick but captivating history lesson on the castle’s grandeur. As we climbed its towering floors, we couldn’t help but be awestruck by the architecture and the stories etched into the walls. By the time we reached the top, the panoramic view of Osaka took our breath away. A cool breeze swept over us as we gazed out at the sprawling city below, feeling quite literally on top of the world.

Next, our stomachs signaled it was time for round two, so we made our way to a nearby poke bowl restaurant. After lunch, we hopped on the metro and headed to Osaka’s famous aquarium. Three hours flew by as we marveled at vibrant marine life featured at this aquarium. Their exhibit is unique, it focuses on life around the ring of fire. We snapped way too many photos, and picked up some quirky souvenirs from the gift shop.

As the clock ticked toward 5:30 p.m., we ventured into one of Osaka’s iconic megastores, ready to do some serious shopping. Of course, the highlight? Isac, lost deep in thought, walked straight into a pole — because why not? Slightly bruised ego aside, we carried on. Seriously, he walked away just fine and we did stop to make sure he was ok. 

But the day wasn’t over yet. We headed back toward the hotel area and stumbled upon the home to Japan’s only vertical oval Ferris wheel. They also say that it’s the only oval Ferris wheel in the world. The neon lights flickered as we treated ourselves to delicious street food and explored even more shops. By the time we finally called it a day, our feet were sore, our bags were full, and our hearts were happy. We returned to the hotel, ready to rest up for the next big chapter of our adventure — Hiroshima.

-Santiago