Kyoto to Hiroshima

Transit day. We woke early to pack down our room and say farewell to Kyoto. After a quick checkout process at the hotel we hit the street for the short walk to the subway which would deliver us to Kyoto Station for our bullet train to Hiroshima.

The first issue of the day came when we realised the only subway access in our vicinity was via stairs. No lifts. No escalators. Stairs. I lugged our suitcases down two flights of stairs and then back up one on the other side to buy our tickets. Mercifully, there was an escalator to the platform.

The subway was relatively packed but we made it on without issue and only had to go one stop anyway. It took a little bit of work to find our Shinkansen line at Kyoto Station, and more stairs, but we made it to our appointed platform with 20 minutes to spare. The stair/suitcase pattern I’d been wrestling all morning meant I felt sweaty and gross and in need of a shower.

Teneille looking cute in Kyoto.

Our bullet train arrived on time and we boarded for the two-and-a-bit hour ride to Hiroshima. That’s a five-hour trip by car in two hours on Shinkansen. Imagine the possibilities, Australia.

Upon arrival in Hiroshima we decided the 25-minutes walk to the hotel with suitcases in the blazing sun was not in our best interests. We headed for the taxi rank where one driver said he couldn’t take us - five people is always problematic - then changed his mind. Suitcases stowed in the boot, Teneille up front and four of us in the backseat. I haven’t felt in danger in any car I’ve been in across Japan and today was no exception. This did nothing to alleviate Emily’s concern at being unable to use a seatbelt with four in the back.

A colourful side street in Hiroshima.

Stackable parking.

Lack of seatbelts aside, the six-minute journey was uneventful and we arrived at our hotel. We had a brief wait for our room to become available and then headed upstairs for showers and a rest. This room has two queen beds and floor mattresses so Aiden was happy to take the floor if it meant not sharing a bed and we were able to stack the mattresses to give him extra softness. The room also has its own washer/dryer. Score.

I threw on some washing while Teneille worked out dinner. I’d attempted earlier to find somewhere for lunch when we thought our room would be a while off but all I could find were cafes that didn’t open until 9pm. What the?

Hiroshima by night.

Teneille settled on a Japanese steak restaurant a short walk from the hotel. Just that quick journey has made me feel as if I’ll like Hiroshima more than Tokyo and Kyoto. I can’t quite explain why. The vibe of the place just speaks to me more. It feels more colourful and vibrant.

Dinner was great and we chatted to a UK couple next to us who were heading to Kyoto next. We exchanged notes before wrapping up our evening by walking back to the hotel via a different route. Lots of colourful neon signs and interesting posters throughout this particular area. I wonder if our hotel is located in a questionable neighbourhood. Oh well, I’ll ask our guide tomorrow.