***This post is a recount of the trip after I returned to Singapore from the trip.***
Today was the day I travelled out of the city center to explore neighbouring prefectures near Hiroshima. I saw on Google maps that this particular island near Hiroshima is a famous tourist spot because of the huge floating Tori gate. Me? I wasn't interested in any gates, but the huge mountain that I can climb on that island.
I left the hostel early at 8am and walked to a train station called Nishi-Hiroshima, some 20 minutes away, in 1°C weather and short sleeves. Had a good shit in the station's toilet cause why not? Hot toilet seats and music!!!
The station was really quiet, and actually really cold. Train stations in Japan are places you don't really wanna hang around for long, unlike the train stations in Australia and New Zealand. Wah I loved everything about New Zealand sia, it's a superior Japan (saying this now I might just return to New Zealand soon).
Ok anyways, I reached Miyajimaguchi, the station closest to the island and had to take a ferry over. The ferry can use Suica card so that was a breeze for me! Can I just say that throughout the entire Japan trip, my time on the ferry was the coldest I've ever felt. Like I almost froze to death on the ferry ride sia. No words can describe the feeling.
I reached Miyajima at 10am and wow, tourist vibes all over. Everyone started heading towards the gate and I just followed, although my interest wasn't really on the gate. Once I walked beyond the gate, the number of tourists dropped to zero and I was all by myself. Shiok!!!
Bought a hot cup of coffee at Starbucks to continue my way up the mountain. The views on this island is pure bliss. This is exactly what I came for, the peace and quiet of a cold country. I slowly made my way up the mountain at 11am.
I actually chose a super isolated entry point up the mountain, a path that nobody took because it was much tougher than the main path. At the base of the path, there were so many deers. It was a sight I've never seen before, because Australia only have sheep, not deer.
The path up was tough. It wasn't smooth like Mount Ukidake 2 days ago. This one was steep. AND I LOVE IT. After climbing for an hour or so, I reached a clearing and decided to have breakfast there. Quite peaceful except for a bell ringing somewhere in the forest at 12pm.
I propped my iPhone 16 on my iPhone 15 Pro and took a lot of 10-second shots of myself standing on the edge of the world. A few hikers passed by and judged me, but being judged in Japan is nothing new at this point in my trip. HAHAHAHAH.
After finishing my bread, I headed onwards to the actual peak of this mountain. There are two peaks actually, but the first peak that I visited (in the photos above) is a rather unknown tourist spot. Basically hikers have to use the lesser known path to reach this peak. Wonderful views with one other human being that helped me take those shots.
Truly insane views, comparable to Ben Lomond in New Zealand. Stayed up there for yet another while just to enjoy the moment. When two other couples appeared, I left for the other peak. This second peak was the actual tourist attraction of the mountain. Too many people sia...
Saw this very cute little mouse on the way down. Smallest mouse I have ever seen in my life.
Reached the base of the mountain at 3:30pm and just walked around to find food. It was here that I finally realised how to use the Apple translate app. So sick!!! I translated a particular shop which sells yakisoba so I entered the shop. Managed to be their last customer of the day.
Sadly no photos of the food as I was too hungry. Gobbled up everything and then hurriedly walked to the port. I remembered my hostel is in main Hiroshima and it takes me more than an hour to get back. Chionged my way onto the ferry and reached Miyajimaguchi at 5pm. The views on the ferry were damn sick though.
Knowing that I took the faster railway service here, I took the slower tram ride back. It was a direct tram ride to the hostel and I need not walk or change trains. Turns out that the tram was more popular than the train and it became crowded real fast.
Didn't really take any pictures because there was simply too many people on the tram. Walked back to the nearest convenience store and restocked my bread supply for the next day. Bought some cold soba and a can of beer to enjoy in the hostel before I sleep.
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