9. Hiroshima

The day began under heavy grey skies as Rob was up early on deck, coffee in hand, watching us glide quietly into the port of Hiroshima. There’s something reflective about arriving by sea, especially to a city with such a powerful history.

Once docked, we teamed up with our Aussie friends, Chris and Bernie, and caught the shuttle bus to the ferry terminal. From there, we grabbed tickets for the short crossing to Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima. The weather wasn’t exactly on our side, but we weren’t about to let a few clouds dampen the day.

 

We strolled along the coastal path, sharing the walkway with the island’s famously relaxed deer, who grazed calmly beside us as if we were the visitors in their home. Then, through the mist, we caught sight of the iconic “floating” torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Rising from the water in the sweeping curve of the bay, it’s every bit as striking in person as it is in photographs — even under brooding skies.

After exploring the island, we returned to the ferry port and made our way back to the mainland, travelling through one of the inland waterways towards Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The mood shifted as we approached our first stop: the Atomic Bomb Dome. Standing before the skeletal remains of the building is a sobering experience. It’s hard to comprehend the devastation that unfolded here in 1945, and yet the structure stands — silent, powerful, and unignorable.

We crossed the bridge to see the Flame of Peace, burning steadily as a symbol of hope for a world without nuclear weapons. Nearby, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims offered a quiet space for reflection — a deeply moving tribute to those who lost their lives.

And then, just as we stepped back outside, the heavens opened. What had threatened all morning finally arrived in the form of a proper downpour. Soaked but still smiling, we decided to call it a day and jumped into a taxi back to the ship.

We may not have seen as much of the city as we’d planned, but sometimes travel isn’t about ticking every box. Despite the rain, it was a meaningful, memorable visit — one that will stay with us long after the clouds have cleared.