January 2023
WHEN – January 29th – January 31st
WHERE – Hiroshima – Miyajima – Fukuoka – Nanzoin
Day 1 – January 29th
HIROSHIMA + MIYAJIMA, JAPAN
TRANSPORT
- I got the train from Onomichi to Hiroshima (JPY 1,170 and took one hour).
- At the station, I got a tram ticket and got the Number 1 Tram to THE KNOT Hotel
ACCOMMODATION
- The Knot Hotel – it is a fab hotel and IT was really cheap too (maybe it was cheap because of the time of year that I went). They had all the amenities and a cool rooftop bar with nice views. They let me check in at 1 pm too.
I checked into my room, had a coffee, and decided to go to Miyajima Island for the day. So delighted I decided to go!! It was just BEAUTIFUL over there. I only had 4 hours there. Got the train to the ferry terminal and then the ferry across – there were 2 different ferry companies, all similar. Two ferry companies operate between Miyajimaguchi and Miyajima island; the JR ferry and the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen. Miyajima to the Peace Park boat is not covered by the JR Pass. From Hiroshima Station to Mitajima, take the JR to Miyajimaguchi, then the ferry.
When you get to the island you will see deers straight away, so cute.
- I walked along the water and saw the red bridge/temple.
- I got the cable car up to the top of the mountain (the last one down is 3.30 or 4 pm) so decide if you want to hike up and down. It is fine to hike up and down. You will have time and it becomes so quiet after the last cable car leaves so you feel like you have the whole mountain to yourself. Beautiful views from the top too.
- I didn’t have much time to explore the shops but I tried the yummy maple leaf pastries with all different types of fillings inside.
- I got some souvenirs in the shop, some cups, magnets, and cakes for my co-teachers!
- Got the ferry back about 6.30 after the sunset and when it got dark. *all shops close around 6/7 pm.
Back in Hiroshima
- I made my way to the OKONOMIMURA building. It is a big complex with about 25 restaurants there, all rough and ready and all making the same thing….the onion, noodle omelet!!! OMG, it was delish!!!! Like so yummy, you can go to anyone, there are reviews on a big board before you enter so you can pick what suits you or what sounds good to you. You could even ask a local for recommendations! It shuts at 9 pm. I walked back to The Knot Hotel and had a wee drink in the rooftop bar. It’s quite fancy in the evenings, they use these tokens/coins that you can use to redeem a drink/snacks/ candies (you get a free one on check-in)!
Day 2 – January 30th
HIROSHIMA – FUKUOKA, JAPAN
I got up bright and early today to go to the Peace Park Museum and to see the Atomic Bomb Dome.
- It was very heartbreaking to read all about it and just a note of warning, the museum is very graphic and has quite a lot of intense pictures.
- The park was beautiful and so quiet and peaceful.
- The Dome just stands there in the middle of all the new buildings around it.
- Some schools created these crane-like artworks and displayed them around the city…..very cool and so colorful.
- It took about 2 -3 hrs to walk around the museum, park, and the atomic bomb dome. These were all within walking distance from the hotel too.
I checked out of the hotel at 11ish and got the tram to Hiroshima station.
- I got the Shinzagen to Fukuoka (Hakata Station) for 9,000JPY so it was quite expensive.
- You can take local trains and trams if you have the time as it would be cheaper.
- The train was so fast (1.3hrs) and arrived at Hakata station at 1 pm.
- It was a six-minute walk to The Wing Hotel, where I was staying. It kind of had a weird vibe to it. I think it was for business travelers, it wasn’t homely at all. There was bread and coffee for brekkie. There was a public bathhouse but it was tiny and ppl were in it. I went in for ten minutes only lol.
- They wouldn’t let me check in then so I left my bags at reception.
- I went back to the train station and got the local train the NANZOIN where the reclining Buddha is.
- Trains are regular, every 30 mins or so.
- It was such a small and lovely area. You literally only need two hours max there.
- I took some pics and ate the matcha ice cream, it was yummy.
- The color and designs on the Budda’s feet were cool.
- I walked around the nature trail for a bit and all the little temples and got the train back to the city.
- It was 380 JPY each way.
- I found a nice bakery in Hakata station.
- I went to visit the two temples Shofukuji Temple and Tochoji Temple (they were nice but I wouldn’t say a must, nice and peaceful if you wanted a break from the city noise)
- There was some sort of festival on in the city where you would walk through these giant mouths that were doorways of sculptures.
- I went to Canal City then, which is a big shopping center that has all the shops and there was a little light show with a water fountain and music. They do this every 30 minutes after it gets dark.
- Go to the YATI STALLS – these are cool, little food stalls along the river with plastic covers. You are squeezed in with families, friends, or whoever. Forget about personal space haha. I basically ate my ramen on my knee while everyone looked at me, smiled, and laughed. The ramen and beer were delish! 🙂
- I walked back to the hotel and called it a night.
Day 3 – January 31st
FUKUOKA, JAPAN
I got up at 8 am, checked out, and had the free brekkie (coffee and bread). I went walking around the city for the whole morning. I went to Ohari Park and the Castle grounds. The park is just a big park where people run / cycle / walk dogs/ and feed the ducks (nearly got wiped out by a flock of birds due to the excitement of the bread I threw in)!! If you have time I would visit and maybe have a wee picnic there. There is also a Starbucks in the park lol.
I continued walking towards Fukuoka Tower (not necessarily a nice walk so you could get public transport there). The marina is around there and the beach so you could spend more time chilling. I had to go to the airport so I didn’t have time. I got the bus back from the tower to the hotel at noon.
I got the train to the airport from Hakata station, only two stops but then you need to get a shuttle bus to the international gates so allow time for this!! The airport was nice and a smooth check-in. The flight was at 5.30 pm and arrived in HK at 7 pm and I was home by 8!! Great trip 🙂
