Out after 10 Years (15): Hiroshima

I head south after the one stay in Kyoto-Arashiyama area. I will go back to the area on my next trip for sure. My first destination was Hiroshima. This city is a destination for Western tourists for what happened to it in Aug. of 1945. An atomic bomb was dropped on the city in the 6th day of that month and detonated above the city. It turned the city to ashes, basically. I, as usual, had booked a hotel in the city and I have to write about this hotel a little bit because it was an interesting experience. This was a contact-less hotel! What it means is there was no receptionist. You are given a code, after you book and pay, first, of course and you use that to open the main entrance. Then you enter your information into a screen when you're in and then you use a code to get to your own room. The door then closes and automatically locks behind you!

The best thing you can do is going to a Japanese antic store and buy unique and nice stuff

It is a very nice room: Two beds, which one of them of course was used. A small kitchen with stove, utensils, refrigerator and other required items for cooking, a toilet and a separate bathroom. This is ideal for someone like me who does not eat outside and likes to cook but I didn't get the chance to use it. If you're going to the city then Hotel CLS-SS could be where you rest. This for another reason was my favorite: There's no lobby or bar so you don't see the drunkard and annoying asshole you always see around and inside the hotel handing out! I must add that it was where the stupid taxi driver missed first when he picked me up! So, please avoid taxi in Japan, anywhere, as much as you can and it's not for the cost. It's for not understanding English! Leave the Japan's taxis for the Japanese!

Hiroshima is a very green and beautiful city like everywhere else I have been to in the country

My main focus in Hiroshima was whatever is on display regarding the bombing as well as the temple but the actual temple was vaporized after the bombing! So there was some substitute building! The transportation is done by Tram and for that I was not very comfortable. I went to a major electronic store, which I don't remember the name and bought a DVD set of Kurosawa films! When I asked the fellas whether they had any more of the director the answer was negative! It was mostly raining during those day and it was not very pleasant. People who visit Hiroshima also go to the harbor but I didn't! I just walk around a little bit and took pictures. That was where I saw Hiroshima Expressway and was stunned. The road is located nearly 20 meters above the ground. I think Hiroshima is the city that I would not go back to. It just doesn't have enough for me to make another trip but certainly worth visiting for at least 3 days, once.

(Photo, top: Some victims' ashes are kept here in the city)