🇯🇵 Japan Day 13: Morning Prayers, Temples & Hiroshima

📍 Places: Koyasan → Hiroshima

🙏 Morning Prayers at Daimyo-In Temple

Woke up after my first night at Daimyo-In Temple. The day started with an optional prayer at 7:00 AM. Only a few of us joined, most people needed more sleep. But even if you stayed in bed, it wasn't exactly quiet… The monks started hitting instruments and chanting, and with the paper-thin walls, everyone could hear. I felt a bit bad for those trying to sleep.

The ceremony itself was beautiful. The monks sang, and we were given the prayer text on paper so we could try to join in—which we actually did. One by one, we were called forward: kneel, bow, take sand from one jar and move it to another three times, bow again. The three scoops stood for family, Buddha, and yourself. The monk chanted prayers throughout. When it ended, each of us received a lucky amulet for protection during the rest of our journey.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Join the prayer even if you're tired, it's a unique cultural experience.

• Be respectful and follow the monks' instructions.

• The amulet makes a meaningful souvenir.

🥗 Vegan Temple Breakfast

After prayers, we had breakfast, vegan again, just like last night's dinner. This is what monks normally eat. It was similar to the previous meal but smaller. Some things were good, some weren't, but I tasted everything.

💡 Tip: Be open-minded with temple food, flavors can surprise you.

🏯 Garan Temple Complex and a 7/11 Stop

Next, we visited Garan Temple, Koyasan's central temple complex. The legend says Kobo Daishi threw his sankosho (a Buddhist ceremonial tool) from China, and it landed in a pine tree here—so he built Garan around it. The pine tree is still growing today.

The two main buildings are the Kondo Hall, a huge wooden hall for ceremonies, and the Konpon Daito Pagoda, a 45-meter, bright vermilion, two-story pagoda. Inside the pagoda is a statue of Dainichi Nyorai (the cosmic Buddha) surrounded by other statues and paintings, forming a rare three-dimensional mandala. Walking through the complex was stunning: red buildings, lush nature, and a calm atmosphere.

After exploring as a group, I wandered alone for a while, it was peaceful to take it in at my own pace. When I felt done, I stopped at a 7/11 to grab snacks and food for later before heading back to collect my luggage.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Take your time, walk alone for a bit if you want quiet.

• 7/11 in Japan is amazing for quick meals and snacks.

• Wear comfortable shoes, temple grounds can be large.

🧳 Seven Transfers & Motion Sickness

The journey to our next destination was brutal: seven different transfers, bus, train, cable car, train, bus, etc. Even with motion sickness tablets, I got really sick and nauseous.

💡 Tip: If you're prone to motion sickness, take breaks, hydrate, and always have tablets on hand.

🏨 Check-In at Kuretakesou Hiroshima Otemachi

By the time we arrived at Hotel Kuretakesou Hiroshima Otemachi, we were already late for our next activity. I barely had time to drop my suitcase in the room, go to the bathroom, and rush back out. The hotel was lovely: big room, good beds, bathroom with a tub and shower, and a TV.

💡 Tip: Keep a small day bag ready, you won't always have time to settle in.

🕊 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Tour

We met our local guide in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. She was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. We visited key spots: the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Bell, and the Eternal Flame.

The park itself is beautiful and serene now, but it used to be Hiroshima's political and commercial heart, one of the reasons it was chosen as a bombing target. Four years to the day after the bombing, it was decided the area would not be rebuilt but dedicated to peace.

The A-Bomb Dome is what remains of the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It survived the explosion and still stands today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a haunting reminder of Hiroshima's past. Between the museum and the dome is the Cenotaph for A-Bomb Victims, which holds the names of over 220,000 people who died from the bombing or radiation. Every year on the anniversary, ceremonies are held here.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Be quiet and respectful, it's an emotional place.

• Bring tissues; some exhibits and memorials can be heartbreaking.

• Give yourself enough time, the park is bigger than you think.

🏛 Peace Memorial Museum

The museum tells Hiroshima's story and focuses on the bombing of August 6. It has personal belongings, photos, and stories of those who died. It's deeply moving and sometimes difficult to take in. I was still very nauseous from the travel, so I moved quickly through the first floor and then sat on a bench. I skimmed the rest of the exhibits. The history was important and powerful, but my body just wasn't cooperating today.

💡 Tip: Pace yourself emotionally, this museum can be overwhelming.

🍔 Dinner & Rest

After the museum, the group went to dinner on Hondori Street, but I still felt sick. My amazing roommate brought food back for me, a hamburger, fries, and pancakes, which was so kind. I ate slowly and managed to keep some down.

🌟 Summary

All in all, it was a mixed but unforgettable day. It was stressful, exhausting, and I felt terrible at times, but it was also meaningful and exciting. I joined the monks for morning prayers, explored beautiful temples, endured a long trip with too many transfers, visited Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and museum, and was reminded of the importance of peace. Even on the hard days, this trip continues to be incredible.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Always carry motion sickness medicine if you need it.

• Join temple activities, you might never get another chance.

• At memorials like Hiroshima's, give yourself emotional space, step outside if you need to.

• A kind travel buddy can make even a rough day easier.