Miyajima!

Using Hiroshima as a base, we also set out to visit Miyajima for a day.  The small island lies just off the coast of the Honshu mainland and takes about 45 minutes by tram then 20 minutes by ferry to reach from the Hiroshima city-centre.  The island is most famous for the giant Torii Gate that stands in the waters (or out, depending on the tides) just offshore but is also known for its abundance of wild deer, a giant rice paddle, a large public aquarium, fresh oysters and momiji manju (a deep-fried battery sweet treat, much akin to cream donuts).  It was a sweltering hot day when we headed out there, but a nice relaxing break from city-life nonetheless - check out the pictures below!

Posing in front of the famous Miyajima Torii Gate at high tide.

This little cutie kept swimming right in front of us at the Miyajima Public Aquarium - I think just he loved getting his picture taken!

Finless Seto Sea dolphins.

John, patting a penguin!

The little guys were taken for a walk shortly after pat-time and we were surprised to see them waddling through the gift shop on our way out.

Selfies in front of the torii gate at low tide.  You can, and we did, walk through the gate for good luck during the low-tide.

You know you're Asian when you insist on posing in front of the world's largest rice paddle!

Hiroshima: A-bomb Anniversary and Lantern Peace Festival

In the two years I've lived in Japan I've travelled to a great many places, unfortunately Hiroshima was not one of them.  Quite some time ago though I put it on my "Japan-list" and so began planning a little post-JET holiday to the city to coincide with the annual A-bomb Memorial Day peace festival celebrations.

Every year on August 6th Hiroshima reflects on the tragedy of the atomic bombing of 1945.  Crowds flock to the Peace Park and A-bomb Dome on this day to pay their respects to those killed or affected by the violence and the mood is both solemn and hopeful.  The festival centres around a lantern-floating event in the evening, where thousands of paper lanterns are sent downstream as the sun sets in Hiroshima.  For about 600yen (or $6 AUD) you can buy one of these paper lanterns, sit at a table and decorate it with your message of peace, then saunter down to the riverside launch zone to push it into the water.  Literally thousands of people do this and by nightfall the river is lit up with the candlelight of  those lanterns of condolence.  It truly was a beautiful sight to behold.

Hiroshima A-bomb Dome, by lantern-light.

Peace lanterns flowing slowly down the river.

Hiroshima during the Peace Festival.

Weeping willow, bicycles and a river full of lanterns.  Such a beautiful night!

But Hiroshima is more than just a city once devastated by the bomb.  It is a vibrant and green city - much more visually stunning than any other Japanese metropolis I've been to.  The air has a seaside atmosphere to it and the rivers that meander through the city help this summery breeze to flow.  Oysters are big business in Hiroshima, as is Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese pancakes) and we indulged in both specialties while we were here.  We also took the opportunity to rent bicycles from our hostel and cycle around the city for a day of sightseeing - where we visited Hiroshima Castle, sipped coffee in air-conditioned Tully's and shopped at Tokyu Hands for scrapbook supplies.

Hiroshima Castle.

John, dressing up as a feudal lord inside Hiroshima Castle.

Standing at the top of Hiroshima Castle.

The view of Hiroshima city and castle park.

John, standing by a "tsunami pod" inside department store Tokyu Hands.

Tokyu Hands sells everything - from stationery supplies to toys, emergency supply equipment to electronics.

Getting our scrapbooking on at Tokyu Hands.

I'm glad I finally made it to Hiroshima in the end, and at the end actually.  It was a truly lovely way to end my stint in Japan - indulging in culture, celebrating peace and relaxing in a laid-back city on holiday!

Leaving Japan and Life on JET

I don't know how I feel about this leaving Japan and my life on JET just yet...  I am about a week past finishing up my job - which has been a sad and often tearful transition - and about two weeks prior to departing my adopted home country for the final time.  I have to say, I am enjoying this free time to truly breathe in my surroundings and live like a knowledgeable tourist in Tokushima.  But it's also a weighty time of year, when new JETs arrive and old JETs leave and you're forced to make new friends and say goodbye to old ones.

I've started approaching things as "the last time I'll ever..." which is making me cherish my moments as well as take on a nagging feeling of regret already.  And I am both excited and apprehensive about leaving John and my (new) comfort zone behind to return to the unfamiliar familiarity of Australian life.  I've been doing my research though and will hopefully be prepared for the creeping reverse culture shock that is sure to come.  But for now, it's all about the final memories and long goodbyes.