After our lovely stay at the Ryokan, deep in the forest of Kurokawa, we made our way back down to Aso station to continue our journey. I asked the lady at the station to help us book tickets to Hiroshima and she did (as there was no machine at the station to book yourself). She booked us on the Limited Express to Kumamoto and then the Sakura Shinkansen to Hiroshima, arriving at 4:51pm. We would not leave Aso until 1:38pm, so we had some time to get snacks and drinks and eat them in the park. We sat in a lovely park with a water and steam fountain that was fueled by the volcanic activity in the area. 

We got on the train at 1:38pm, it was an older train with wooden features, it was lovely. The train was pretty brief, arriving at Kumamoto station at 2:50pm. We had a brief stop where we were able to get the Kumamoto station stamp in our books! We then boarded the Sakura shinkansen to Hiroshima.

Arriving in Hiroshima we were able to check into our hotel right away. The hotel was a 10 minute walk from Hiroshima station, a brief walk over a bridge and we were there! Hiroshima station had expanded since we had been there ten years ago (to the day!). The station had been much smaller, with a streetcar stop outfront. 

We checked into the hotel no problem, and dropped our bags off in our rooms. Jives and I were staying on the 8th floor, sadly a smoking floor, but when I booked it had been the only option. After resting a bit (I had a quick bath in the public onsen), we headed out to find some dinner. The sun was just setting and it was a cotton candy pink over the water in the many rivers of Hiroshima. 

We walked along the water to Okinomimura, a four level okinomiyaki building with many booths selling okinomiyaki (a Japanese cabbage pancake that tests sooo much better than it sounds). The building was packed with people and most spots were reserved. It was soooo much busier than in 2014 when we came here. We eventually gave up trying to find a spot to eat here and went to a shop nearby that boasted vegan okonomiyaki called “Jirokichi. They were also full up, but able to fit us in at 7:30-7:40ish. We walked to the canal by the peacepark to waste some time, then headed back to the restaurant. 

We were seated at the back of the restaurant by a table of Japanese salarymen, at a heated cooktop table. We ordered three namabiru and three okinomiyaki. The restaurant was quirky, with notes from visitors on the walls (and a Wutang “W” in one corner). 

The okonomiyaki was great!! Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is so much better than the Osaka style, as they have layers and add noodles!! Okonomiyaki is a cabbage pancake, but so much more! The combination is magical! Hiroshima style okonomiyaki has a layer of noodles, egg, batter with flour and starch, cabbage, usually pork and green onion, topped with seaweed flakes, okonomiyaki sauce (tangy magic) and mayonnaise. 

The meal completely hit the spot! We then headed back to the room, full and happy!