Hiroshima in Autumn

I FINALLY got to go to Hiroshima this past weekend! I was over the moon! I have been dying to go there for a long time! Since it is fall now, the weather was perfect! However, I was really hoping that the leaves would had already changed colors, but they were not quite there. It was so hot for so long this year that they are a bit later than I anticipated when I planned my trip... Oh well...

Anyways, first on my trip, I went to Miyajima! Once we landed on the island, my friend and I started off by buying some momiji manjuu and climbing up Mt. Misen. 

The view was absolutely gorgeous! The hike was a little tiring though! Mt. Misen is 500 meters tall and I took the shortest course, which was the Daisho Course. It was pretty steep. Although, I think I was so tired because we took a pretty fast pace. The course was supposed to take 1.5-2 hours, but we finished in 1 hour. Needless to say, I was dead by the time I reached the top! 

Once we did reach the top, we finally devoured our well deserved manjuu! 

I also found a rock and took a picture with a ridiculous pose that I am pretty proud of! 

Other nearby hikers got a good laugh... 

After we went back down the mountain, being the animal lover I am, I knew that I need to pet some deer. I set out on the hunt and pet many of them! (Only the friendly ones!)

This is a face of pure joy!

Then I checked out Itsukashima Shrine! I have always seen it in post cards and pictures, so I really wanted to go! But, to my disappointment, the large shrine gate is currently under construction... I cried a bit on the inside, and then took this very ironic picture.

You can still kind of see it... Right?

Also, fun fact, the tides affect the water under the shrine. It is not as pretty during the low tides. And I learned that the fun way...

However, since I went during low tide, it was not as crowded!! I was at least able to see the pretty version during high tide when I was on my way to Mt. Misen.

Aside from Miyajima, I visited Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. The park was absolutely beautiful. I really loved seeing all of the cranes that visitors and school gave to the park. Seeing the dome made me realize how strong the nuclear bomb actually was. 

I was able to find one tree with red leaves!! I was determined to get some fall leaves! 

I also went to the museum. It was a bit sad, but really moving. Plus, being the international relations nerd that I am, I really enjoyed reading the portion about international talks in regards to nuclear bomb reductions and what not. I highly recommend visiting the museum. It taught me a lot that I wish I would have learned in high school in America. 

Lastly, what would a trip to Hiroshima be without Hiroshima style okonomiyaki??

I went to a shop called Hassho! I went at 10:30 in the morning in order to beat the crowds. I still had to wait a little, but not as much as the people who came at 12:00. The food itself was amazing! They put plenty of aonori, which I love! Plus, it had some dried squid on the inside too! If you go to Hiroshima, trying it is a must!

I really enjoyed my Hiroshima trip and I am glad I took it during this season! 

 Where are you going this fall?