Finding Free and Cheap Travel Activities in Expensive Japan - HIROSHIMA

Finding Free and Cheap Travel Activities in Expensive Japan

Japan is notable for its modern antiquity, bustling city life, and enough fluorescent lights to give any traveler’s eyes a workout.

But with the current economic climate, the Land of the Rising Sun might also be confused with the Land of the Rising Budget, especially for travelers.

However, there are plenty of activities in Japan that are affordable—and even free—meaning you can cover a great deal of territory even on a tiny budget.

HIROSHIMA

About three hours by Shinkansen from Kyoto is Hiroshima. It is an unmistakably small city, but the huge atrocities that occurred there—and the insights that they led to—make it an important stop on anyone’s itinerary.

Given the historical context of the city, the main focus lies on the Peace Memorial Park, which is home to the A-bomb Dome (another UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Peace Memorial Museum, and the Flame of Peace. The floodlights that surround the A-bomb Dome at night give a hauntingly beautiful quality to the skeleton of a building that serves as both a reminder of and a memorial to the effects of war. A nighttime walk through the park allows you to absorb the park’s beauty without the constant flash or click of tourists’ cameras.

Within the park is the Peace Bell, which visitors can ring if they so desire. There’s an image of an atom at the exact spot where the clapper hits the side of the bell, which symbolizes the repeated striking of an atom. The Flame of Peace has been burning since 1964 and will continue to do so until all nuclear weapons around the world are destroyed.

Lastly, there is the Peace Memorial Museum which documents the events leading up to, during, and after the bombing of Hiroshima. The park and everything included is open to the public for no charge, but the museum costs around Y50. www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp

Outside of Hiroshima is Miyajima island, home to the Itsukushima Shrine, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors may recognize the famous torii (gate) which seems to float on top of the water on which this Shinto monument is built. On a clear day, the view of the gate is remarkable, but it is best to go when the tide is high to get the full floating effect.

The island can be reached via a ferry that is also considered part of the JR line. Be sure to spend time with the native deer, which enjoy the human interaction. Entrance to the shrine will cost you a few hundred yen, but you can still enjoy the floating torii without having to enter the actual temple. whc.unesco.org/en/list/776

Text and Photos (except as indicated) by Karl I. Muller for PeterGreenberg.com.