Hiroshima

Unfortunately, most of Hiroshima's fame comes from World War II, when they were a victim of the atom bomb. However, it has really grown into a bustling city, complete with a Peace Memorial Museum and Park. The museum is incredibly moving, but you definitely have to prepare yourself to walk through. After the museum, I would suggest a walk through the park, which is extremely well kept and calming. While in the park, see the memorial monument (pictured), the dome, and the millions of handmade paper cranes strung up and hanging.

If you're interested in reading about the bombing of Hiroshima before your visit, which I would suggest, Black Rain by Ibuse Masuji is amazing. The visit to the Peace Memorial is much more meaningful after reading about what happened.

Kinkakuji

The Golden Pavilion is an essential tourist destination if you are visiting Kyoto. The city has managed to survive countless wars and natural disasters, but because of its historical content, it was eliminated as a possible atomic bomb target during World War II. While I was in Kyoto for a summer class, one of the places we visited was the Golden Pavilion. It was beautiful. The entire two-story building is gold plated, and stands alone amongst trees and bushes, sitting next to a small pond.

Since I was there for a class, we had to do some reading about Japan before we got there. One of the books we read was The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, by Yukio Mishima. It is a novel based on the burning of the temple in 1950 by a young Buddhist acolyte. The story is very well written, and brings what might seem like a boring historical moment to an exciting, passionate story of a confused boy.

My favorite part of the book was painting a picture of what I thought the temple looked like while I read, then getting to see the real thing only a few days later.

Miyajima

Miyajima is a small island off the coast Hiroshima, Japan. You have to take a ferry to get there, but it is relatively easy, and you can buy the tickets right before you get on. Miyajima Island is a perfect day trip from Hiroshima, and is definitely worth it. Just follow the path and crowds from the ferry station over to the shrine.

There are deer all over the island, just hanging out. They sell deer food, but be careful because they might try to snack on your bag or clothes, too! They are very tame, and used to human interaction, so you don't really need to be too weary of them.

The tori, gate, that is a famous symbol of the island usually appears to be out in the ocean.

But tourists flock toward the shrine when the receding tide reveals the sand.

Local Japanese will also come down to the beach when the tide goes out, and look for shellfish in the sand.

And while you're there you absolutely must tried their famous fried manju, which is a traditional Japanese treat filled with sweat bean paste. In the area with the shops, they have these sweets available in every few shops, so pick one that looks popular and dig in!

Fujiyoshida

Fujiyoshida is the base city of Fujiyama, or Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest and most famous peak. Only a short train ride outside of Tokyo, it is a charming little town where views of the mountain are almost unavoidable.

If you do are the type to accept the challenge, and climb Mt. Fuji this is where you'd start.

This is a traditional tori, or gate, that you would pass through at the base of the mountain on your way up. Or you can opt for a shorter journey to the top by driving about half way up (to station 5) and hiking from there. Then again, if you're like me and hiking Mt. Fuji poses no real interest for you, you can always just drive halfway up for a short walk around, an ice cream cone, and a few pictures of the great view.
Despite the small town size there are other things to do than just climb Mt. Fuji. They have a ropes course with zip lining, an amusement park, short walks and hikes, and sight seeing. The portrait above is the view from one of the platforms at the ropes course.

The Fujikyu Highlands amusement park is home to one of the world's best roller coasters.

And the small city is filled with traditional buildings and cultural gems.

Trains

I must admit that I haven't had the most experience with trains. I only really ride them when I'm abroad, seeing as we don't have any in Hawaii. But I would definitely choose a train over a plane if I could. Riding a train doesn't require the ordeal air travel does. And you can gaze out the window at the landscape between point A and B. I have always been fascinated by the Japanese, and their train system. Their culture requires punctuality, and the trains are no exception. If a train schedule says that the train will arrive at 11:23, and leave at 11:28, you had better make that 5 minute window, because it won't be there at 11:22 or 11:29. And if you are ever able to avoid rush hour on the trains in Japan, definitely try to take another mode of transport, or you could be squeezed into that tin can with the rest of the sardines in suits. The attendants even help push you in there. Don't believe me?... Yeah, that was real life, I wish I was clever enough to make that stuff up. One the bright side, no one has to wait for the next train to come. The bullet train, or shinkansen is my favorite. The Japanese have created a completely different breed of land travel, cutting travel time in half with the shinkansen. (And don't worry, these trains have assigned seating for individuals, so you don't have to worry about popping your personal bubble. So if you are ever making your journey across Japan and feel that your time abroad is too short, which it always is, take the shinkansen. It will cost you a little more, but I think your time in worth it.