Second Trip to Hiroshima's "Dreamination"

Santa-san is buying our train tickets at Iwakuni Station for our 50-minute ride to Hiroshima for our second "Santa-san" trip.


On the local train. My seatmate was a young man from Germany who's working in an elderly care home for a year. (Sorry I didn't get his photo.) When I said "nursing home" he was very confused, and we discussed the confounding differences of English words . . . Imagine -he speaks German, English and Japanese!


The sun is setting as we ride past Miyajima Island.


This daddy was MUCH more excited about Santa-san than his son was!


Walking through Hiroshima Station to the Streetcar Station out front.


Stan on the streetcar headed to Hondori Street. First a quick dinner at Andersen's, then down to Peace Blvd to pose for photos!


Crowd outside the window has noticed us eating our soup & sandwich . . . The tables are against the windows here.


The crowds continued to stop & take photos. The cute red designs are on the inside of the window . . .


Stan has moved outside Andersen's to one of the benches. This lady is holding a pink balloon rabbit that the Balloon Man just made for her. I think Stan helped his business!


Another short streetcar ride & we're back at Peace Blvd where Stan immediately has already drawn a large crowd!


There's the Horse & Buggy ride - we should do that . . .


Santa-san encourages a shy child. Tonight he brought a blanket to sit on & gloves. It's VERY cold.


"I'll sit next to you, but don't touch me!"


Santa-san with some of the lights beyond.


I've decided to walk a little & take photos. Decorative lights at Christmas are referred to as "Illuminations" in Japan. Hiroshima has named their fabulous display "Dreamination." It is absolutely amazing - consisting of 1.4 million bulbs, most of which are LED and fueled by solar panels. Read more about this annual display HERE! I can read "Sendai" on the info plaque so I'm assuming this year's program is dedicated to those who suffered and lost so much from the tragedy of the Great Earthquake & Tsunami of 3/11/11.


Colorful lights. Atop the center platform is an origami crane - a symbol of good luck.


Part of the giant Christmas tree nearby.


I've walked "inside" the tree and am looking up.


A giant snowflake - or star?


A heart at the base of the tree. Last year there was a bench here, so I was hoping we could sit here, but it's missing this year.


I LOVE these hopeful symbols. They have something to do with this year's theme.


This VERY colorful truck stopped near us on the street for a few minutes.


And people just kept coming - and patiently waiting their turn.


See the man in back near the right center? His name is Michael and we talked for a long time. He's from Israel and spoke beautiful British English. He's visiting Japan on business and trying to see as much as he can while he's here. He's already falling in love with Japan and wants to return for longer next time.


Two cute little boys who were really in love with Santa-san - they just kept giggling & throwing kisses. The little boy on the right just hugged me over and over. Worth the whole trip!


As we're walking back up toward the streetcar stop, Stan poses in front of an ancient shrine in the midst of huge modern buildings. It's about 10 PM & we're ready to rest & get warm!


Interesting sign on the train about not taking up too much space. Click to enlarge.


Exhausted Santa-san. We're almost home now, but when we first got on the train in Hiroshima, I was lucky enough to find a vacant seat, and sat down across from a young American couple. They were in Japan filming for a travel show (don't know which one!) and then I saw the cameraman across the aisle. When the very nice elderly Japanese man sitting next to me got up to leave, Stan took his seat. We found out the couple was headed to Miyajima Island so when they found out how long we've been here, they were excited and began asking us for information, which of course we were more than happy to provide! We had a very nice chat, and just before they departed at Miyajima, Stan was asked to sign a waiver . . . cool! Maybe he'll be on TV?


Sign on a window of the train.


Closer detail shows tears under the eyes and you can see it's advertising lip balm. Looks very old-style, doesn't it? Another fun adventure . . .

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