HBS Japan Trip: Day 1 Hiroshima

Peter and I had been beyond giddy and excited for this HBS Japan Trip in May, 2011. And so were 160 other people, until the tragic earthquake took place in Japan and many people were super worried about the possible danger of radiation...so much so, the original group size of 160 came down to like 20-25 people?

Honestly, it was a big enough "cozy" group size, not soo big that you won't even know half the people's names despite spending over a week in a foreign country with them.

Everything turned out amazingly, thank goodness I had the foresight to book us with an asian airline (any but China Air haha) out of L.A. Found an amazing deal with Singapore Airlines too from L.A., travel agents are definitely the way to go for booking international flights, especially to Asia!!

Here are LOADS of pics from our arrival and first day in Japan. We landed in Narita Airport and then went to Haneda Airport to catch a flight to Hiroshima...

Our Japanese snacks in the hotel room (Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima)

I loved this, so cute!!!

The next morning, we kicked off our first day in Japan with a visit to Miyajima Island--best known for the Torii Gate and also referred to as "Shrine Island" because of the numerous shrines there.

Our ferry ride out to Miyajima Island...

Looking back at Hiroshima from the water...

Kohta very excited already, yay for ferry rides! LOL

Thought this pic was funny, it's like every one is trying super hard to look studious, studying maps hehe

Upon arrival, we were greeted by some "guests," though I think they seem more pre-occupied at the moment with trying to eat food out of these school kid's lunch packs!!

So funny cos now everyone is so into taking pics of these guys...wait, did we come to see some deers or the shrines heehee

Peter's found his future pet, jk!!

PZ--Psycho Bunny Star Wars R2D2 Polo in Aqua (so sad though cos I accidentally washed this with some other colors and they kinda bled on the shirt...waahhh), Ralph Lauren Polo White Shorts, Gucci Limited Edition Gold and Blue Sneakers

The famous Torii Gate--which marks the entrance and approach to a shrine, most are made of wood and painted orange and black.

HBS Japan Tripperoos Group Photo, yay! Wait, some other guys sneaked into our shot!!!

Me--Wessex Rhinestone Crystal Studded Tee in White, Oliver Peoples Black/Silver trim sunnies, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Cut Diamond Pendant Necklace, Tiffany 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with Tiffany Platinum Diamonds Fleur de lis Key

With Petah :)

Some shots of the Shinto Shrines at Miyajima Island

And then we had to hike up a huge mountain...haha, no, I'm just lazy and out of shape I guess LOL

You're supposed to spin each of these as you go up to the shrine, something about good luck I think?

Saw this guy grilling some oysters, figured we would give it a shot...

Ta-da!!! The oysters were yummy, nothing out of this world but solid :)

Inside one of many gift shops at Miyajima...so much fun browsing at all the different teas, condiments, snacks, I could spend hours in these places!!

Me--Chanel Hidden Sequins Large Tote (LOVE this bag, so maintenance free but sparkly--cos the sequins are in between two layers of fabric!!)

All this hiking and walking around, no, honestly, there WAS a bit of hiking around, we were famished and ready to have some Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima!

The beginning stages of making Okonomiyaki--derived from the word "Okonomi," which means "what you like/want." So this savory pancake can be filled with an array of ingredients to your liking...yum yum, one of everything please, thanks!

It was actually quite amazing seeing the Okonomiyaki Chef whip all these up for like 10 people so quickly, felt like Benihanas but way more authentic and yummier haha

Claire, George, Alex, some European guy (sorry, see? even with 20 something people I can't remember names =X) and Koichi...

After we stuffed our faces with more Okonomiyaki than we could handle...we set off for Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

It was actually eerily serene at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, knowing what had taken place there and seeing disheveled buildings made me feel like it happened much more recently than in World War II. We also had an amazing opportunity to meet with and listen to a lady who was a child during the Hiroshima tragedy. She recounted details from that day and was so visibly shaken still when talking about it--makes you really wonder if and when does a society really ever recover from such a horrific event.

After spending some time at the museum in Hiroshima, we hopped on a bullet train to Kyoto...bye bye Hiroshima!!

Ku-Kai-San Izakaya Restaurant in Kyoto :)

Oddly enough, all these small plates reminded me of a L.A. home town favorite--Furaibo...ahhh yummy...

Back at our hotel room in Kyoto, the Westin Miyako Hotel, we marveled at the tech-savvy bathroom...well, maybe not THAT amazing to some people, but Peter and I definitely added "multiple showerheads" to the list of things we want installed in our future home haha