BLOSSOMING CHERRIES AND TRAUMATIC HIROSHIMA! 

[DAY 6 and 7]

April 2026

Sixth day of our Japan tour was very eventful with visits to Daigoji and Kinkoji temples, the much acclaimed tea ceremony and Arashiyama bamboo garden. 

Daigoji temple situated in Kyoto is a Buddhist temple with a statue of Yakushi Nyorai. Daigo depicts ghee, which is the purest form of milk and hence represents very pure thoughts. It is present on mount Daigo, preserving cultural national precious articles. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. It has a Japanese design of wood architecture and gardens.

Kinkoji golden temple is a beautiful Zen budhhist temple in Kyoto. It attracts worldwide tourists. It is a world heritage site. Its top two floors coated in thin gold film. It was destroyed but rebuilt in 1955. Gold is supposed to keep away pollution and negative thoughts. It is situated on the banks of a pond and sunlight reflects on it, creating a beautiful impression.

                                                                   Traditional Japanese outfits!

We attended the Traditional Tea Ceremony at Kyoto, which was held on wooden floors. The hosts gave us typical sweets along with bowls of Matcha powdered green tea powder, stirrers and bowls and we were instructed how to make the tea and the manner of drinking it! It is a spiritual experience which also marks their style, grace and hospitality. It was one distinctively wonderful experience.

                                                               

Arashiyama Bamboo garden is a trvellers must see sight with very tall bamboo trees and thick bamboo forest. It has many types of rides, carrying people throughout the garden. The grove is a visual delight with many sites for photography. 

                                                 

The last day of our tour dawned. We were excited about seeing and riding the famous bullet train of Japan, which was scheduled on the seventh day of our Japan tour. We had to take one to go from Osaka to Hiroshima, infamous for the nuclear bomb blast.

 Japan is world famous for its most advanced railway systems. Trains are safe, punctual with almost zero accident rate. We travelled by the Shinkansen high speed train with a speed of 300 km / hr. They are very comfortable, smooth and classic.  They have cushioned comfortable seats, with comfortable headrests and lot of leg space. Wi-Fi connection, reading lights, spic and span washrooms are quality benchmarks. 

                                                                                     Bullet train station

We enjoyed the ride and reached Seto bay. It is a creek which has ferries taking travellers to Miyajima island.

 Miyajima or Itsukushima island is a small, sacred island in Hiroshima Bay known for  "floating" vermilion torii gate, which appears to float on sea waters during high tide. It is a beautiful and scenic spot, with a spread of natural beauty, ancient temples and  freely roaming deer. 

Itchkushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage site having wooden infrastructure connected by piers, which seem to be floating in sea waters. The famous floating Torii gate is built in sea waters which can be accessed on foot, during low tide. in the sea that can be reached on foot during low tide.

A short but enjoyable ferry ride took us to our last spot from Miyajima Port to Hiroshima. 

We visited the A - building where the bomb was dropped from the top, which allowed a part of it to remain intact. A T shaped bridge was targeted, which we saw later on.  Statues in memories of students died on that day stands at a distance. A memorial with names of victims etched on rock slabs is erected in the park. A bell, in memory, is erected on a tower which has special significance.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located in Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. It documents the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during  World War II. Established in August 1955, it is one of the most visited sites by the travellers. It exhibits belongings of the blast victims, photos and many more things which depict the horror of the blast. 

One can imagine how the beautiful day of 6th August 1945 which started normally must have transformed instantly at 8.15 am, after the LITTLE BOY descended! 

Hiroshima before the blast and after the bombing, plight of survivors and their future generations, current status of the nuclear age indicate the pain and sorrow experienced by the natives on that day. After the A-bomb calamity, government aims at banning all nuclear weapons and bringing a peaceful international community in existence!

The East Wing is dedicated to the history of Hiroshima City before the bomb, the manner of dropping the bomb, the devastated life after bombing, nuclear age and striving towards efforts for international peace. A model shows the devastated city.  Clothing, personal belongings, bags, watches, hair of the victims, damage done to bridges, iron, wood, stones, glass, metals, flesh and effects on human health has also been shown. It definitely sets one into depression. Video interviewing survivors of the blast, their physical and mental status is played in a hall which helps one in realizing the deep impact then and even now!    

                                                                         

On the next day, we took a f

There are some points which I haven't mentioned in my blog as yet! 

Japan is a fusion of tradition and modernity! 

All highways in Japan are made sound proof, in the sense, they have put up sound barriers on all highways so that the residents around, do not get exposed to high decibel level sound of the vehicles passing by! 

Keeping environment concern in mind, senseless horns are not allowed! 

There are escalators every where, making it convenient for citizens of all age groups! 

Very clean washrooms are available everywhere at zero cost! 

There are no dust bins in the cities, one is supposed to carry trash and put it in the trash can at home or hotel, which is later carried off. 

Shopping at mega Don Quijote mall was a different experience! 

Though roads and public places are crowded, queues are maintained. 

Silence is maintained, wherever required! 

Tourists are respected. Bullet train entry is a disciplined entry where no crowding is required. Your compartment numbers, seat numbers, entry points are pre-decided so as to execute everything smoothly. 

No one touches the blooming flowers on the roads or in the gardens. 

All malls are designed in such a way as to help disciplined entry and exit. 

As per my observation, I haven't seen any members of young generation loitering around, occupying benches on the roads, whiling away time in public places and so on! 

Rarely did I see any beggars!

There may be many more points which I may have missed but overall Japan has created a lasting impression on my mind! 

Once again I realized that the world is a book and if we do not travel, we read only one page, but if we travel, we become richer and wiser every day!

We bid a farewell to Japan but the memories linger on! I will not say goodbye, instead I would prefer to meet again! If it be thus, a short SAYONARA!

GREEN BLOGGER

PROF. (DR.) MRS. JAYA KURHEKAR

WAIT FOR MY NEXT BLOG!

KEYWORDS: 

FASCINATING ENVIRONMENT, Daigoji, Kinkoji, Arashiyama, tea ceremony, bullet train, Hiroshima,  Peace Memorial Museum 

 BLOSSOMING CHERRIES AND BEYOND!

                                                 [APRIL 2026, DAY FOUR AND FIVE]

BLOOMING SAKURA

Every one of our days in the planned Japan tour was a wonderful day, bringing a lot of surprises. The 4th day started as a sunny day which turned very rainy later on. The famous Nabana No Sato park was seen in heavy rain, which added to the fun! The 5th day was sunny again! 

Japan's unpredictable weather proved itself!

The Japanese Toyota Memorial Museum is an automobile technology museum located in Nishi - ku, Nagoya City, central Japan. It has been an international automobile manufacturer for decades. It is one of the best car museums in the world, indicating how the automotive industry has developed in Japan under the leadership flag of Toyota. All types of vehicles are on display, from big cars to sports cars. It gives a quick review of all vintage and modern cars. Outlets selling mementoes, restaurants were catering to the tourists’ needs. They have even provided the tourists with one super vintage car, to sit in  and take photos.

Tiny cars, moderate sized cars, life sized cars, car accessories, toy cars, just name it and it was there! For car lovers, it is a feast for eyes! 

Our next stop, Nagoya Castle is one of the most famous and important historical castles in Japan, also known as “Golden Castle”. The main symbol of the castle is the golden fish (shachihoko) on its roof. They are believed to protect against fire. This is a good example of the Zen style of construction. At both ends of the uppermost roof of the castle there are two golden meadows. Shachi, a creature from Japanese mythology, is a tiger-headed dolphin believed to control the rain. The castle extends over a very large area and is built differently. There are gardens and a variety of plants. Every season had its own spread of flora and fauna! In summer, various birds and animals live in harmony as if in a sanctuary, despite being in the centre of the city. Chrysanthemum exhibition and competitions are held in this fort. The castle has huge surrounding walls and a trench surrounds the castle as a first line of defence against the enemies. 

An excellent, must visit destination in Japan is the Nabana No Sato park, a park with distinction. The myriad flowers, tulips and roses at Nabana No Sato, the sparkling lights, the luminous arches, the laser shows were mesmerizing, a dream sequence of flowers and lights! Roses, Tulips, landscapes, green houses, musical orchestras, adorned the place! Andes Begonia Garden is a colourful greenhouse with more than 5,000 varieties of begonia flowers. The atmosphere here is warm and vibrant.

It was a vibrant, colourful place, managing great crowds, facilitated with all tourist amenities. A blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and relaxation, Nabana No Sato park attracts tourists from all over the world.

It rained, while we were inside the park but the enjoyment was ultimate. Lighted canopies added to the fun!

DAY FIVE 

Our first stop on the fifth day was Osaka Imperial Plaza palace water front park said to be Japan's one of the beautiful Sakuranomiya, cherry blossom destinations. It is situated on the banks of the Okawa River, fully blooming with pink cherry blossoms every season! It is said to have around 5,000 Sakura cherry trees, a popular spot for flower viewing and boat rides. We could see all types of boats in the river, catering to the tourists.

Our next visit was to a 90 minutes’ Sumo Wrestler Show which was characterized by an interactive and people friendly experience with professional sumo wrestlers, who gave us an opportunity to visualize live matches, their ancient rituals demonstrations and even photo sessions! It was a fun filled and enjoyable show! They were introduced first and each one showcased his talent. A mock wrestling match between them was organised and the winner was made to paly a match with selected three spectators.

All in all, the 4th and fifth days were not too hectic but gave us a peek into Japanese development, life and culture.

We returned to the hotel with memories and hopes for the new day!

GREEN BLOGGER

PROF. (DR.) MRS. JAYA KURHEKAR

WAIT FOR MY NEXT AND LAST POST! 

KEYWORDS: 

FASCINATING ENVIRONMENT, Toyota museum, Sumo wrestling show, Nabana No Sato park, Nagoya Castle, Shachi, Shachihoko, Begonia garden, Sakuranomiya