Visiting Miyajima Island was one of the most enjoyable experiences throughout my travels in Japan. It was about an hour away from Hiroshima, so we spent the afternoon exploring. We got to board a ferry which I’ve never done before, and it was quite refreshing and exciting. The ride offered stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea, and the anticipation built as we neared the island. Upon arrival, we were surrounded by a bunch of deer. We were advised not to touch them due to any illnesses they might have, but they were quite rowdy and would follow us, adding a playful part to our visit.

We took a short walk down to see the floating Torii gate. It was quite breathtaking. The background water was so scenic and the bright red corridors were beautiful. We also visited Itsukushima Shrine. We walked through it and also bought a few good luck charms. It was a blend of natural beauty and rich culture. I could feel the deep-rooted history and spirit. We walked a bit further close to the water just to see what could be laying on shore and saw many little creatures.

After the walk, we began to explore the island streets. We were surrounded by traditional shops and refreshments. We indulged in the best shaved ice I’ve ever had, which was a perfect way to cool down. A friend of mine also tried oysters. I’m not really a fan of seafood and was quite afraid to try it, but it looked great. I did buy a bunch of handmade crafts as gifts to bring back home. One specific souvenir that I bought was a stuffed animal of a deer. It was a cute reminder of the friendly deer we encountered and my little sister loves stuffed animals. I showed her all the pictures and she even named one.

We took a seat looking towards the water and indulged in matcha ice cream as well. Japan had the best sweets, so we had to keep indulging in them and couldn’t get enough. The combination of natural beauty, rich cultural experiences, and delicious treats made the day unforgettable. We had to be very cautious of the time and make sure to make it back on time. The ferry ride back was peaceful and full of laughter. Spending the afternoon in Miyajima Island is a day I will never forget. Nothing can top it!

Researching about Okawa Elementary School and the tragic events in 2011 allowed me to gather information quickly and conveniently without feeling the emotional weight of the tragedy. Visiting Okawa Elementary School, however, was a completely different experience. Standing on the actual grounds of what used to be an amazing atmosphere made the tragedy much more real. 

As we arrived at the school I could immediately notice the different atmosphere and landscape from the city. We were in a peaceful rural town that was surrounded by agriculture, hills, small homes, and towns. We met with a guide who would personally connect to the tragedy with the loss of his daughter at the school, allowing us to gather a deeper sense of what really happened. The school was in ruins, almost completely unrecognizable. There were broken walls and debris scattered all around. The school was well preserved, with the walls torn down to expose the inside of the buildings. This allowed for us to see what damage the tsunami caused within the building as it was completely engulfed. It was tough to imagine this as a place once filled with kids full of energy. The guide pointed out the different grades and ages of the kids that used to attend. Also, what side of the buildings would they study and play. It was all completely destroyed. The quiet atmosphere and surroundings made it more intense. 

The personal stories from the guide about his daughter brought me to tears. I wondered why he would take the time out of his day to guide us through this horrific site where he lost his daughter. He would go on to stress to us that he does this to prevent the same thing from happening again to anyone else. There was plenty of time for the kids and teachers to escape, But because of a lack of safety precautions taken and taught, many important lives were lost. The guide would then lead us to a path up a hill that looked over the school. It was used for school activities. There was a sign that marked the height that the tsunami had reached. It shocked me that the hill was taller than the Tsunami. Many lives could have been saved. 

Learning about Okawa Elementary School online gave me a broad and detailed overview. Meanwhile, Visiting the school provided a deep emotional impact that I can not get just from researching. Both are great ways of learning, but the visit made an impact that was much more profound.

Visiting the Hiroshima Memorial Museum was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the devastating impacts of the atomic bomb dropped on August 6, 1945. The museum was filled with artifacts, displays, personal items, and stories that highlighted the bomb’s effects and lessons that followed. As I walked through the exhibit, I was first shown the beauty Of Hiroshima before the incident. Shortly after, We are shown a 3-D live interactive video of the bomb being dropped, where it hit, and what it affected. The rest of the path focused on the aftermath of the bomb. We would see the effects of radiation exposure on clothes, daily necessities, and humans themselves. The effects of being exposed to radiation were so gruesome to victims but also to those who were not affected directly by the bomb itself. Many were suffering from health effects that did not appear directly after the bomb.

One case that really shook me was a little girl named Ritsuko Masuda. She was a third-year student at Hiroshima Jogakuin Girls High School. She didn’t suffer from direct burns but suddenly felt ill and started to vomit blood which was pretty typical for survivors. Due to the shortage of health necessities, she had to receive a transfusion with horse blood, causing more health complications for decades. The museum detailed the aftermath survivors had to deal with. Such as health issues, social stigmas, and trauma. It also taught me about the importance of nuclear warfare. Illustrating how there is an ongoing threat of nuclear weapons and their capabilities for destruction. They continue to fight to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again. The museum laid many historical monuments that serve as a reminder of the lives lost. We also saw the iconic A-Bomb Dome which serves as a powerful symbol of hope. It was preserved to show the real-life effects of a bomb and how much destruction causes not only to infrastructure but lives too.

The museum emphasizes on education so that we never forget what happened and to continue to advocate for peace. Additionally, I learned about the incredible spirit of the people in Hiroshima. Despite the city being completely destroyed, they worked hard to rebuild their lives and turn the city into what it was once before. It’s covered with beautiful stores, homes, and agriculture. Overall, visiting the museum was a transformative experience that I will never forget.