text:
Homs

Homs (حمص) is the third largest city in Syria. Much of the city was destroyed or damaged during the ongoing Syrian Civil War, particularly during the Siege of Homs (2011—14). Rebuilding began in 2018.

Understand
With a population of 1.6 million, Homs is the third large city in Syria after the capital Damascus and Aleppo. It is centrally positioned in Syria and is home to Al-Baath University among other institutes. There are many restaurants and hotels. The old name for the city of Homs is "Emissa" or "Emizza" but in standard Arabic it is called "Hims" and "Homs" is its informal name.

Homs is the birthplace of Hashim al-Atassi, the Syrian nationalist and former president of Syria.

Get in
There is no airport in Homs; however, you can reach the city by taxi, private car, or bus from the airports at Damascus, Aleppo, or Lattakia, or other ports of you are arriving from outside of Syria. There are bus stations in every city which provide service to reach Homs.

There are no trains to Homs, however services from Damascus are expected to return during 2020 or 2021.

Do
Go to the mountains, 45 km from the city center:
 * Mashta el Helou
 * Marmarita
 * Jwykhat
 * Crack des Chevalier

There you can enjoy the cool weather, the beautiful view, or camp if you have a tent. A camping permit might be needed.

Eat
There are many restaurants in Homs in Ghouta street and Hamra street and others near city center.

If you are just passing though the city, definitely try the labneh shawarma at the big food stall inside the Homs bus station.

Drink
You can find many pubs and bars to have a drink, specially in Al Hamidiya street, and some in Al hadara Street.

Try Arak the local Syrian drink

Sleep
There are many hotels in Homs
 * Assafeer Hotel in Alinsha'at is the most popular (5 stars)
 * Homs Grand Hotel (HGH)
 * other cheaper hotels near the city center and the Damascus road (in Arabic:طريق الشام)

Stay safe
See the travel warning at Syria.

title: Homs


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Hinchinbrook Island National Park

Hinchinbrook Island National Park is in North Queensland, Australia. The continental island massif is east of Cardwell on the tropical Cassowary Coast. Lucinda via Ingham in the Hinchinbrook Shire provides southern access to Hinchinbrook Channel and Hinchinbrook Island.

Understand
The traditional owners of the land, the Bandjin people, retain their cultural connections to Hinchinbrook Island.

Hinchinbrook Island is separated from the mainland by Hinchinbrook Channel. Access to the island is regulated. Here you can experience Australian wilderness, "the nature of North Queensland at it's best."

The northeastern Queensland winter from May to October is the tourist high season. The pleasant tropical climate is warm to cool. The wet Monsoon Cyclone season is the low time of year. During this time, one transfer operation still ferries people to the trail. Absolute North Charters based in Lucinda can transfer you to the Northern end of the trail and return you to your vehicle or shuttle bus in Lucinda. The distance you travel by boat is the same as if you went from Cardwell, only coming off at George point and travelling to Lucinda is only a 10 minute boat ride which is great at the back end of your walk.

Because of very heavy siltation problems at the Marina in Cardwell, it no longer operates as an all tidal boat ramp, and Port Hinchinbrook no longer exists hence many more transfers operate out of Lucinda.

The trip through the Hinchinbrook Channel from Lucinda is exquisite and can only be described as inspiring for the upcoming hike.

This business is local grown and owned, so they are very big on local knowledge of the trail pertaining to your personal safety.

Get in
Getting to the island is not easy, and it can only be reached by boat. Your two choices are either by your own private boat or using the ferries which go to both ends of the Thorsborne Trail.

Get around
The only means of transport on the island are the transfer operators, on foot and by sea kayak. The only two kayak operators licensed to operate on the island are:

 * Coral Sea Kayaking - South Mission Beach, Cassowary Coast Queensland.
 * Southern Sea Ventures - St. Ives, New South Wales.

See

Hinchinbrook beaches are isolated and spectacular, located on the eastern side of the island. Starting from the northeastern tip of the island the most commonly visited beaches are:-

Cape Richards is the eastern most northern tip of Hinchinbrook. From the Lookout view scenes of Goold Island, ocean settings and Orchid Beach. Mangroves can also be viewed at Turtle Bay. A short trail walk from Where a resort use to be. Missionary Bay at the northern end of Hinchinbrook Island is rimmed with mangroves. Spotting Dugongs and Saltwater Crocodile is popular, "Good Luck!" The Absolute North Charters Ferry visits regularly. The day trip includes observing mangrove habitat via a crafted 60 metre boardwalk. From the boardwalk, a 200 metre trail connects with Ramsay Beach.
 * Orchid Beach which no longer has a Resort
 * North Shepherd Beach - 0.5 hours from orchid Beach. 2.0 kilometre beach teeming with tiny Ghost Crabs.
 * South Shepherd Beach- 2.0 hour hike from North Shepherd Beach, very remote and private.
 * Ramsay Bay beach.

Do
The 32 kilometre Hinchinbrook Island Thorsborne Trail shadows the eastern coastline. From Ramsay Bay in the north to George Point in the south. As a guide Hikers plan four(4) days and three(3) nights. There are "no" facilities on the island other than the Cape Richards Resort. Drinking water must be carried, rainwater and creeks are potential seasonal freshwater sources. Hikers must be self-sufficient i.e. Safety Gear, Camping Equipment, Drinking Water, Food, Heating Fuel, Cooking & Eating Utensils, Weatherproof Outdoor Apparel, Sturdy Footwear etc. Open fires are not permitted on Hinchinbrook Island.

Access to Hinchinbrook Islands Thorsborne Trail requires a Permit. Reservations are advised months in advance during the high season. Regulations only permit a maximum of 40 persons on the trail at any given time. Contact the Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Visitor Information Centre or go to the EPA Online. Ferry transfers must be arranged in advance. There are no scheduled transfer services for Drop off's/Pick ups at George Point. Make sea transport arrangements in advance.

Note Permits are issued for specified purposes only e.g. the Thorsborne Trail Walk. Additional "Permit(s)" are required for e.g. the Mt. Bowen summit trek 1121m ASL.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan identifies the types of marine activities appropriate for Hinchinbrook Channel and Island. Fishing is popular at sites surrounding Hinchinbrook and Goold Island National Parks. Snorkelling, Spearfishing and Scuba Diving are also possible. Seek more detailed information.

Buy
Cardwell retail outlets provide e.g. Personal Hygiene and Body care Products, Food Stuffs, Dining, Camping Accessories, Fishing Gear etc. There are no retail stores on Hinchinbrook Island. The Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge stocks basic necessities.

Eat & Drink

 * The Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge Restaurant is open to Resort Guests, Day Trip Guests & Hikers.

Sleep
Accommodation:-
 * Day Trips - Port Hinchinbrook or Cardwell.
 * Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge at Cape Richards.

Budget

 * Hinchinbrook Island Camping - campsites along the Thorsborne Trail.
 * Macushla south of the Cape Richards Resort, permit required. In proximity to the Shepherd Beaches.  Facilities include Toilets, Gas barbecue, Picnic Tables and non drikable Water.
 * The Haven, western side of Hinchinbrook Island, permit required.
 * Goold Island north of Hinchinbook Island, permit required. Long sheltered beach, campsite, no water supply.
 * Garden Island west of Goold Island, no permits required.

Note: Obtain Permits at Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Visitor Information Centre or EPA Online.

Stay safe
Saltwater Crocodile habitat exists around the whole coast of the island. Walking anywhere on the island is therefore potentially dangerous.

Goannas are very common on Hinchinbrook Island, up to 2 meters long. They are harmless and avoid being approached.

PLB Hire is available, contact the Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Visitor Information Centre,.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Hinchinbrook Island National Park


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Hinckley

There's more than one place called Hinckley or Hinkley:

United Kingdom

 * Hinckley (England) - in Leicestershire, East Midlands, England

United States of America

 * Hinckley (Illinois)
 * Hinckley (Ohio)
 * Hinckley (Minnesota) - a city in Pine County, Northeastern Minnesota
 * Hinkley (California) - in California

title: Hinckley


text:
Hinckley (Minnesota)

Hinckley is a city in Pine County, Northeastern Minnesota.

Get in
Hinckley is located along I-35 midway between St. Paul and Duluth.

See
The Grand Casino Hinckley is one of Minnesota's largest casino resorts. Two miles east of Hinckley on MN-48.

The Hinckley Fire Museum is open from May 1st through mid-October.

Go next

 * Pine City, the county seat of Pine County, just 13 miles south.

title: Hinckley (Minnesota)


text:
Hindi phrasebook

Hindi (हिन्दी) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in India, Nepal, and throughout the Indian diaspora in Fiji, Singapore, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Trinidad, Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius and other countries. Where there are 22 official languages and over 1,000 dialects of India, Hindi and English take precedence in government affairs. It is a link-language for over half of India's population. It is also one of the 3 official languages of Fiji.

Hindi is descended from Sanskrit, sometimes called "the mother of all languages," or "Latin of the East." Standard Hindi is based on the खड़ी बोली Khaṛī Bolī dialect (lit. "Pure language"). A mixture of Hindi and Urdu, called Hindustani (though this name is also applied to the Caribbean dialect of Hindi), is the form heard in most Bollywood films, trying to appeal to the widest audience possible. Hindustani is different than what is taught at the literary level and what is used by news programs and the government in India.

As per the 2011 census, Hindi is the fastest growing language in India, followed by Kashmiri, Meitei (Manipuri), Gujarati, and Bengali.

A striking fact is that, depending on the source, Hindi is listed anywhere from the 2nd to 5th most widely spoken language in the world. In contrast to languages such as Mandarin or Spanish, there has not been much promotion of learning Hindi as a second language outside of India and some neigbouring South Asian countries such as Bhutan.

Writing
Hindi is written in the Devanāgarī (देवनागरी) script, like Nepali, Marathi and a number of other Indian languages. Learning Devanagari is not quite as difficult as you might think at first glance, but mastering it takes a while and is beyond the scope of most travellers. See Learning Devanagari for a primer.

Pronunciation
Most English speakers find Hindi pronunciation rather challenging, as there are 11 separate vowels and 35 separate consonants, employing a large number of distinctions not found in English. Don't let this intimidate you: Many speakers do not speak standard Hindi in practice but rather in regional accents which don't use as many consonants and/or vowels.

Vowels
The key distinction is the difference between short and long vowels. In this phrasebook, long vowels are noted with a digraph (two letters), whereas short vowels are listed as one letter.

Consonants
Hindi consonants have many qualities not familiar to native English speakers including aspiration and retroflex consonants.

Aspiration means "with a puff of air", and is the difference between the sound of the letter "k" in English kin (aspirated) and skip (unaspirated). In this phrasebook, aspirated sounds are spelled with an h (so English "kin" would be khin) and unaspirated sounds without it (so "skip" is still skip). Hindi aspiration is quite forceful and it's OK to emphasize the puff.

Hindi retroflex consonants, on the other hand, are not really found in English. They should be pronounced with the tongue tip curled back. Practice with a native speaker, or just pronounce as usual — you'll usually still get the message across.

Nuqta
Besides vowel diacritics, Hindi also has a special diacritic for consonants, called nuqta (नुक़्ता nooq-tah). It is used to alter the pronunciation of consonants to render loanwords.

 * क़ q : like skip but further back in the throat
 * ख़ kh :
 * ग़ gh : like Dutch geen
 * ज़ z :
 * झ़ zh :
 * फ़ f :

Stress
For emphasising words don't stress them by voice (which would be regarded as a sign of aggressiveness) but add a to after them.

 * yuhh kyah hay? ("what's this?") → yuhh toh kyah hay? - ("what is this?")

Voice should always be very low and with few changes in pitch, loudness and stress, so please: relax!.

One of the only stresses found in Hindi is the last long syllable prior to the last syllable (e.g. in "dhuh-nyuh-vahd" stress "dhuh"). But it is a mild stress which occurs naturally, so don't force it. Don't even think about it!

शुभकामनाएँ! (shoobh-kahm-nah-ẽh!) — Good luck

Grammar
Gender & The 2nd Person Pronoun: Certain words have different endings depending on your gender. If you are a man, say these with an -आ suffix, and if you're a woman, -ई. However; when addressing the person respectively with ahp (आप), the masculine ending takes the plural form. This is not all that different from the behavior of other Indo-European languages, c.f. German Sie, which like ahp is also both the respectful 2nd person pronoun and plural form of address. The other two forms are the familiar toom (तुम) and intimate tōo (तू). These change the forms of certain words. Toom is for friends and peers, tōo for small children (within the family); between 'significant others' in private; traditionally to lower castes; in the past, slaves; and, paradoxically, when supplicating to the gods/God (c.f. Greek mythology). As a general rule, stick with ahp, until you become more familiar with the language and culture. Forget about tōo altogether, at the best using it would be a faux pas and at the worst, very offensive. For those reasons as well as practical ones, this section will only use the ahp form.

Grammatical Gender: Like many major European languages, but not English, Hindi nouns have a grammatical gender assigned to them. There are two genders in Hindi, masculine and feminine, and even inanimate objects have a gender.

Cultural notes
Greetings: There are no time elemental greetings in conversational Hindi such as good morning, good afternoon, etc. And each religion has its own greetings. It is considered very gracious to address a person by their respective greetings, but not necessary.

Namaste (नमस्ते nuh-muhss-teh) is the most ubiquitous greeting. Though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. You say namaste with your hands folded and by bowing slightly – but don't go overboard Japanese style! Namaste literally means "I bow to you." The original religious significance was of bowing to the soul (aht-mah) within another. It is custom to touch the feet of someone older than you when saying namaste. Namaskār (नमस्कार nuh-muhss-kahr) has the same meaning, but is used less often in Hindi, though it is common in other Indian languages such as Gujarati and Bengali. Namaskār is thought of as more formal, and as such is used more often when addressing a group or a person of importance. The Sikhs also fold their hands and bow, but have their own greetings. Sat śrī akāl (सत श्री अकाल suht shree uh-kahl) is the most common, which comes from the Punjabi ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ meaning "God alone is Truth." Though Sikh people are mostly found in the Punjab region of India, Punjabi greetings are used by Sikhs all over the world. After meeting someone for the first time आपसे मिलकर बहुत खुशी हुई (ahp-seh mil-kuhr buh-hoot khoo-shee hoo-ee) may be said, meaning "I'm very happy to meet you."

Civilities: In Western cultures, saying phrases like please, thank you, you're welcome, excuse me, sorry, etc. are so ingrained into the people from a young age that they say them without a second thought. Not so for Indians. Saying such phrases in an inappropriate circumstance might even embarrass the person, or cheapen the gravity of the phrase itself. These phrases are only said in a sincere sense. For example, don't say धन्यवाद (dhuh-nyuh-vahd, thank you) after a clerk hands you your grocery bag, but when someone goes out of their way to do something nice for you. Sometimes, English words themselves are used; due to the British colonial influence, especially in urban areas and among the upper class. In this case, use them as you would in English.

When someone is in your way, instead of saying excuse me, or zara suniye, just let out an aspirated ts sound with your tongue behind your teeth to attract their attention. This might seem rude, but is no more rude than children saying "pssst" to get a friend's attention during class! In conclusion, though Hindi has corresponding words to ours, this does not mean that the context in which they are used also correspond likewise. Don't let all of this lead you to believe Indians are cold though – nothing could be further from the truth! These sentiments are merely communicated through body language rather than verbally. To show your thanks, a simple smile will do the trick. Other common gestures include the famous "head bobble"; and a hand gesture made by swiftly swinging the wrist so your palm is facing the sky and your forefingers slightly elongated. Before travelling to India, rent some Bollywood films so that if a spontaneous Bhangra breaks out in the streets, you'll be ready to join in! All kidding aside, they can demonstrate body language and customs far better than any book is able to, all while acclimatizing you to the language as well.

Prefixes & Suffixes: When you answer with the words "yes" and "no", the word jī (जी jee) may be added afterwards to give it a more polite tone. Sometimes, speakers will simply reply with jī, as an affirmation of something someone says. Jī is added to a person's name as a sign of respect. For example; in India, Mahatma Gandhi is often referred to as Gandhiji (गांधीजी).

Another suffix which is indispensable is -wallah (-वाला -vah-lah). Many books devote whole chapters to -wallah. With nouns, it gives the meaning "the one or thing that does" and with verbs, it indicates something is about to happen. Examples:

 * noun – shop (दुकान doo-kahn) + (-वाला wah-lah) = shopkeeper (दुकानवाला doo-kahn-wah-lah)
 * verb – to come (आना ah-nah) + (-वाला wah-lah) = (the) ... is coming (... आनेवाला है ... ah-neh-wah-lah hay)

English loanwords: The British Empire's influence spread into the language itself, and this continues today with American culture being exported throughout the world. So, an English word or phrase may almost always be inserted into any Hindi sentence. You will often hear Indians, whom while talking in Hindi, pepper their sentences with English words. Sometimes, they'll even alternate sentences, going from Hindi to English, and back to Hindi! The local urbanites call it Hinglish, a mixture of the two languages. English loanwords are particularly used for modern inventions/technologies, so words like TV, computer and microwave are the same as in English apart from the slight change of accent. However; this is mostly in the cities, and learning some Hindi will have been all the more rewarding when in rural or non-tourist areas, as well as allowing you to communicate with a wider variety of people in the cities.

Numbers
The numerals used to write in decimal are called Indo-Arabic numerals. Developed in India, they were borrowed by the Arabs, and gradually spread to Europe. The similarities are hard to miss. Here are their respective numerals.

Hindi numbers ending in 9 are named as "un" (-1) plus the next multiple of ten. Instead of naming powers of a thousand, Hindi has unique names for a thousand, a hundred thousand, ten million etc.

Days
The Hindi days of the week are each named after a planet and correspond to the Western days of the week, i.e. Sunday = Ravivār ( the Sun's day [lit. time or period]). Thursday (Thor's day) = Guruvār (Jupiter's day), Saturday/Saturn's day = Śani's (Saturn's day), etc. The ending "-वार" (-vār), meaning day, time, or period is often dropped colloquially.

Months
India has two main calendars in use, though other groups like the Parsis have their own calendar as well. The Western (Gregorian) calendar is used for day to day and business affairs, and the Hindu calendar is used by religious communities.

Hindu Calendar
The Hindu Calendar (विक्रम संवत् Vikram saṃvat) is named after a legendary king of Ujjain, who is supposed to have founded the Vikramditya (विक्रमादित्य) era c. 56 BCE. The year 57 BCE was the first year of this (संवत् saṃvat) era. Thus, to calculate the current date of the Hindu calendar, add 57 years. Today, the Hindu Calendar is used mainly for religious purposes and calculating festivals. Because it is based on the lunar month, every 30 months an "impure" intercalary leap month is added, during which no ceremonies are performed. The Hindi names are variations of the original Sanskrit ones.

Writing the time and date
The time is written exactly as in English, that is hours followed by minutes. 12:45am will thus be दोपहर के 12 बजकर पैंतालीस मिनट (dopehar ke 12 bajkar paintālīs minaṭ), note that बजकर (bajkar) would indicate something like "o'clock" in English. मिनट (minaṭ) is a direct translation of the English word "minute/s."

Bus and Train

 * How much is a ticket to _____ ? : _____ जाने की टिकट कितने की है? _____ jaane ki ticket kitne ki hai?
 * One ticket to _____ : एक _____ की टिकट दीजिये. Ek _____ ki ticket dijiye.
 * Where does this train go? : ये ट्रेन किधर जाती है? Yeh train kidhar jaati hai?
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : क्या ये ट्रेन/बस _____ पर रुकती है? Kya yeh train/bus _____ par rukti hai?
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ की ट्रेन/बस कब निकलेगी? _____ ki train/bus kab niklegi?
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : ये ट्रेन/बस _____ कब पहुँचेगी? Yeh train/bus _____ kab pahuchegi?

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : ____ tak kaise jaoON?
 * ____the train station? : रेलवे स्टेशन_____? — railway station

 * ____the bus station? : बस अड्डे____? — bas aḍḍa...?
 * ____the airport? : हवाई अड्डे____? — havaai aḍḍa...?
 * ____Town square? : चौक____? — chowk
 * ____Hotel? : _____ होटल...? — hotel
 * Where can I find (some)____: (कुछ) ____ कहाँ मिलेंगे? — (kuch) ... kidharai? (?)
 * ____hotels? : होटलें____ — hotelEIN
 * ____restaurants? : रेस्ट्राँ____? — restRON
 * ____bars? : शराब ख़ाने...? — sharaab khaNE
 * ____sites to see? : ...dekhne layek jaghain*? (...)
 * Can you show me on the map? : मुझे नक़्शे में दिखा दीजिये — mujhe nakSHE mEIN dikhaa deejiYE
 * Can you tell me the way to _____? : मुझे _____ का रास्ता बताइए? — — muJHE _____ kaa rasta bataIYE
 * street : सड़क — saDak
 * path : रास्ता — raastaa
 * Turn left. : बायीं तरफ़ मुड़िये — bāyīn muDiye
 * Turn right. : दाहिनी तरफ़ मुड़िये — dāhinī muDiye
 * right : दाहिना — dāhina
 * left : बायाँ — bāyā
 * straight ahead : सीधे — sīdhe
 * towards the _____ : _____ की ओर — _____ kee OR
 * past the _____ : _____ के अगले — _____ ke agle
 * before the _____ : _____ के पिछले — _____ ke piCHHle
 * Watch for the _____. : _____ देखो — _____ dekho
 * intersection : चौराहा — chOWraahaa
 * north : उत्तर — uttar
 * south : दक्षिण — dakshin
 * east : पूर्व — pūrv
 * west : पश्चिम — paścim
 * uphill : चढ़ाई — chaDHai

Taxi

 * Taxi! : टैकसी — taiksi
 * Take me to _____, please : _____ जाना है — ____jaanaa hAI
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : ____ जाने को कितना लगता है? — ____ jaane ko kitnaa lagtaa hAI

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : Kamra Kirayi pe milega? (...)
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : Ek/Do admi ka kitna lagega? (...)
 * Does the room come with... : Room mein hain kya? (...)
 * ...bedsheets? : ...bedsheets? (chaddar hai?)
 * ...a bathroom? : ...ek bathroom? (snaanaghara)
 * ...a telephone? : ...ek telephone? (teliphone)
 * ...a TV? : ...a TV? (teevee)
 * May I see the room first? : May I see the room first? (pehle, kamra dekh lun? )
 * Do you have anything quieter? : Do you have anything quieter? (apkai pas aur chupchap/shA.nta/sthira he?)
 * ...bigger? : ...bigger? (Aur Barrha)
 * ...cleaner? : ...cleaner? (Aur Saaf)
 * ...cheaper? : ...cheaper? (Aur Susta)
 * OK, I'll take it. : OK, I'll take it. (Theek hai, laileinge)
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : I will stay for _____ night(s). (____raath rahengei)
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : Can you suggest another hotel? (Aur koi hotel batadijeeai)
 * Do you have a safe? : Do you have a safe? (surakShita sthAna hoga?)
 * ...lockers? : ...lockers? (sharAna sthAna)
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : Is breakfast/supper included? (jalapAna/raathka bhojana-byAlu dhArana he?)
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : What time is breakfast/supper? (kaleva/byAlu kis samaya he?)
 * Please clean my room. : Please clean my room. (kamra saaf kurlo.)
 * Can you wake me at _____? | Can you wake me at _____? (____time pe jugana)
 * I want to check out. : I want to check out. (mainai nikalna he)

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (American/australian/canadian doelur mAnthai/svIkara karthai he?)
 * Do you accept British pounds? : Do you accept British pounds? (British pound svIkara karthaihe?)
 * Do you accept credit cards? : Do you accept credit cards? (CreditKaard svIkara karthaihe?)
 * Can you change money for me? : Can you change money for me? (rupaya parivartna karthaihe?)
 * Where can I get money changed? : Where can I get money changed? (paisa parivartna kidhar karloo?)
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Can you change a traveler's check for me? (traveler check parivartna kurlaiga?)
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (traveler check kiddhar parivartna karoo)
 * What is the exchange rate? : What is the exchange rate? (parivartna ka bHaoon kitnae?)
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (AeTeeEmm kiddhare?)

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, (please). : एक/दो लोग/-ओं के लिये जगह चाहिये — ek/do log/-on ke liye jagah cāhiye
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : मेणयू कर्ड दीजिये — menyoo kard diijiyeh
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : Can I look in the kitchen? (kya mai kitchen ke andar dekh sakta hoon)
 * Is there a house specialty? : Is there a house specialty? (iis hotel ka special kya hai)
 * Is there a local specialty? : Is there a local specialty? (iis jaga ka special kya hai)
 * I'm a vegetarian. : मैं शाकाहारी हूँ — main śākāhārī
 * I don't eat pork. : मैं सुअर का मांस नहीं खाता/-ती — main suar ka māns nahīn khāta/-ī
 * I don't eat beef. : मैं गाय का मांस नहीं खाता/-ती — main gāy (gā‘ī) māns nahīn khāta
 * I only eat kosher/halal food. : मैं सिर्फ़ कोशर/हलाल खाना खाता — main sirf kośar/halāl khāna khāta (?)
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : Can you make it "lite", please? (kum tail mey mil sakta hai)
 * fixed-price meal : एक दाम का खाना — ek dām ka khāna (?)
 * à la carte : आ-ला कार्ट — ā-lā kārṭ
 * breakfast : नाश्ता — jalapAna
 * lunch : दोपहर का खाना — dopehar ka khāna; sa-pehar ka khāna
 * tea (meal) : शाम का खाना — sa.ndhya ka khāna
 * dinner : रात का खाना — rāt ka khāna
 * I want _____. : मैं _____ चाहिये — mujhe _____ cāhiye
 * I want a dish containing _____. : मैं _____ का खाना चाहिये — — mujhe _____ ka khāna cāhiye (?)
 * meat : मांस — māns
 * chicken : मुर्ग़ — chi.nganA, murgi
 * beef : गाय का मांस — gāy ka māns
 * fish : मछली — machlī
 * lamb : भेड़ का मांस — bheṛ ka māns/mutton
 * cheese : पनीर — panīr, chIja
 * eggs : अंडा — anḍa
 * lentils : दाल — dāl
 * (fresh) vegetables : (ताज़ा) सब्ज़ी — tarakAri, bhAji
 * (fresh) fruits : (ताज़ा) फल — pHal
 * bread : रोटी, नान, पराँठा... — roṭī, parānṭha...
 * rice : चावल — cāval
 * sweetmeats : लड्डू — laḍḍū
 * samosa : समोसा — samosa

 * spice(s) : मसाला — mirchi
 * chutney : चटनी — caṭnī
 * curry : सालन, कढ़ी — sālan, kaṛhī (< Tamil கறி)
 * ghee (clarified butter) : घी — ghī
 * May I have a glass/cup/bottle of _____? : मेरे लिये एक ग्लास/प्याला/बोतल _____ लाना — ميرے ﻟﺌﮯ mere liye ek glās/pyāla/boṭal _____ lāna
 * coffee : काफ़ी — kāfī
 * tea : चाय — cāy (i.e. chai)
 * juice : रस — ras
 * water : पानी, जल — pānī, jal
 * carbonated water : सोडा — soḍa
 * milk : दूध — dūdh
 * lassi (yoghurt drink) : लस्सी — lassī
 * sweet, salty, mango (lassi): मीठा, नमकी, आम — mīṭha, namakī, ām
 * cool drink (Indian Eng. 'soda, cola, etc.') : ठंडी/सौफ़्ट ड्रिंक — ţhanḍī/saufṭ ḍrink
 * soft drink (attn- in S. Asia this means a sherbet drink, not cola!) : शरबत — śarbat
 * alcohol : शराब — sharāb
 * beer : बियर — biyar
 * red/white wine : (लाल/साफ़ेद) मिदरा, वाइन — — madira, vāin
 * Whisky : ह्विस्की, स्काच — hviskī/wiskī, skāc
 * May I have some _____? : May I have some _____? (muje kuch _____ milega)
 * salt : नमक — namak
 * black pepper : काली मिर्च — kālī mirc
 * chile : मिर्च — mirc
 * butter : मक्खन — makkhan
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): बैरा!, वेटर! — baira!, veṭar!
 * I'm finished. : मैं ख़तम है — main kh atam hai (?)
 * It was delicious. : बढ़िया — بڑهيا — baṛhiya
 * Please clear the plates. : प्लेटें लीजिये — pleten lījiye
 * The check, please. : बिल/चेक लाइये — bil/cek lāiye

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : Do you serve alcohol? Recommended: Can I get alcohol? (Sharab milega)
 * Is there table service? : Is there table service? (kya table service mil sakti hai)
 * A beer/two beers, please. : A beer/two beers, please. (kripaya ek beer/do beer de)
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. एक गिलास लाल/सफेद वाइन (ek glass lal/safed wine)
 * A bottle, please. : A bottle, please. (ek bottle dena)
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : _____ and _____, please. (...)
 * whiskey : whiskey (whiskey/daru)
 * vodka : vodka (...)
 * rum : rum (...)
 * water : पानी (paani)
 * club soda : club soda (soda)
 * tonic water : tonic water (...)
 * orange juice : orange juice (...)
 * Coke (soda) : कोक (kok)
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : Do you have any bar snacks? (kuch khane ke liye hai)
 * One more, please. : One more, please. (ek aur)
 * Another round, please. : Another round, please. (ek aur round milega)
 * When is closing time? : When is closing time? (kab tak khula hai(what time is bar open till)/ bar band kab hota haiWhen does the bar close?)

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : Do you have this in my size? (...) mere saiz ka milegaa?
 * How much is this? : How much is this? (...) iska kitna hoga?
 * That's too expensive. : That's too expensive. (...) bahut mehnga hai
 * Would you take _____? : Would you take _____? (...) kya aap _____ lena chahege?
 * expensive : महंगा mehnga
 * cheap : सस्ता sastā
 * I can't afford it. : I can't afford it. (...) main nahi le sakta
 * I don't want it. : I don't want it. (...) mujhe nahi chahiye
 * You're cheating me. : You're cheating me. (...) tu mujhe fassa rahe hoo
 * I'm not interested. : I'm not interested. (..) mujhe shauk nahi hai
 * OK, I'll take it. : OK, I'll take it. (...) theek hai, main le letā hoon
 * Can I have a bag? : Can I have a bag? (...) kyā āp mujhe thaili dege
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : Do you ship (overseas)? (...) parcel kar sakthe hoo
 * I need... : मुझे ...चाहिये — mujhe ... cāhiye
 * ...toothpaste. : (दँत) मंजन... — (dant) manjan
 * ...a toothbrush. : टूथ ब्रश... — tūth braś
 * ...tampons. : टैम्पोन... — ṭaimpon
 * ...soap. : साबुन... — sābun
 * ...shampoo. : शैंपू... — śaimpū
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : दर्द की दवा/"ऐस्प्रिन"... — dard kī dawā
 * ...cold medicine. : खाँसी की दवा... — khānsī kī dawā
 * ...stomach medicine. : दस्तावर... — pet ki dawa / dastāvar
 * ...a razor. : रेज़र/उस्तरा... — rezar, ustara
 * ...an umbrella. : छाता... — chātā
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ...sunblock lotion. (...)
 * ...a postcard. : पोस्ट कार्ड... — posṭ kārḍ
 * ...postage stamp. : डाक शुल्क/महसूल... — ḍāk tikat/sṭaimp
 * ...batteries. : बैट्री... — baiṭrī
 * ...writing paper. : काग़ज़... — kā g az
 * ...a pen. : क़लम... — kalam
 * ...a pencil : पेन्सिल... — pensil
 * ...an English-language book. : अंग्रेज़ी की किताब... — angrezī kī kitāb/pothI
 * ... an English-language magazine. : अंग्रेज़ी की पत्रिका... — angrezī ka/kī patrika/risālah/maigazīn
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : अंगरेज़ी का अख़बार... — angrezī kā akhbār; ...an English-Hindi dictionary. : अंग्रेज़ी-हिन्दी कोश... — angrezī-hindī koś

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : मुझे कार किराया चाहिये — mujhe kār kirāya par cāhiye
 * Can I get insurance? : मुझे बीमा का कार सकता है? — mera insurance ho sakta (-ī) hai? (?)
 * petrol shed : पेट्रोल पंप — peṭrol pamp
 * petrol : पेट्रोल — peṭrol
 * diesel : डीज़ल — ḍīzal

Note: Indian Traffic Signs are much like those in Europe. Words are written in English and sometimes the regional language.

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : (mujhe akela chhod do)
 * Don't touch me! : मुझे मत छूओ । (mujhe chunā mat / mujhe mat chuo)
 * I'll call the police. : I'll call the police. पोलीस को बुलाता हूं । (main police ko bulaaoonga)
 * Police! : पोलीस ! पोलीस ! (police ! police !)
 * Stop! Thief! : रुको ! चोर ! (rukho! chor!)
 * I need your help. : मुझे अपकी सहायता चाहिये । (mujhe āpki sahayta/madad chahie)
 * It's an emergency. : यह एक मुसिबत है । (yeh ek musibat hai)
 * I'm lost. : मैं रास्ता भूल गया । (main rasta bhul gaya)
 * I lost my bag. : मेरा बैग गुम हो गया । (mera bag alage ho gaya)
 * I lost my wallet. : मेरा पर्स गुम हो गया । (mera purse ghoom ho gaya)
 * I'm sick. : मेरी तबियत ठीक नहीं है । (meri tabhiyet tikh nai hei)
 * I've been injured. : मुझे चोट लगी है । (mujhe chot lagi hai)
 * I need a doctor. : मुझे डॉक्टर चाहिये । (mujhe doctor chahie)
 * Can I use your phone? : क्या मै फ़ोन कर सकता हूं ? (kya main phone kar sakta hoon ?)

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : I haven't done anything wrong. (.maine kuch galat nahi kiya..)
 * It was a misunderstanding. : It was a misunderstanding. (.Woh ek bhool thi..)
 * Where are you taking me? : Where are you taking me? (.Aap mujhe kahan le ja rahe hain?..)
 * Am I under arrest? : Am I under arrest? (.Kya mein giraftaar ho raha hoon?..)
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (.Mein America/Australia/Britain/Canada ka nagrik hoon..)
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (.Mujhe America/ Australia/Britain/Canada ke rajdoot se sampark karna hai..)
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : I want to talk to a lawyer. (.Mujhe apne vakil se baat karni hai..)
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : Can I just pay a fine now? (.Kya mein jurmaana abhi de sakta hoon?..)

Learning more

 * Learn Hindi Online - Free Online Hindi Grammar Lessons
 * Learning Hindi - Free Online Conversation Hindi Phrases and Grammar Lessons
 * L-Ceps Personaltrainer Hindi - Hindi Language Learning Software
 * L-Lingo Hindi - Free 40 Lesson Learn Hindi Online Flash Application
 * Hindi Speaking Tree - Hindi Lessons From India
 * ISpeakHindi.com - Daily learn Hindi Podcast
 * Hindi Phrasebook - Ten online lessons for Hindi phrases and words
 * Learn Hindi Online - Common Hindi phrases with authentic audio clips for correct pronunciation
 * Hindi Verbs - Learn key Hindi verbs, conjugation, grammar, and popular proverbs

title: Hindi phrasebook


text:
Hines

Hines is a city in Harney County in the Eastern Oregon region of Oregon.

By car

 * US 20.svg & US 395.svg Hwy 20 N/S serve as the main highway/road through town. US 20 & 395 are concurrent on the same road from north of Burns to Riley.
 * Forest_Route_47.svg Hines Logging Rd goes up into the Malheur National Forest from US Hwy 20 south of town. Going east of the main highway Hines Logging Rd becomes Hotchkiss Ln.

See the Burns article for other available transportation options into the area.

title: Hines


text:
Hinesburg

Hinesburg is a small town in Vermont.

Get in
Route 116 cuts north-south through town.

Stay safe
Watch the speed limits in these small towns because it drops abruptly and the Police are vigilant! One could even think they lie in wait, so they can trap the unwary motorist exceeding the speed limit.

title: Hinesburg


text:
Hingham

Hingham is a coastal town in the South Shore region of Massachusetts about 15 miles south of Boston.

By car
Route 3 is the only major highway in town, although it only runs through parts of South Hingham. Route 3A and Route 228 are the other state roads in town; Main Street, the towns longest, is made up mostly of 228.

By train
Hingham has the following two stops along the MBTA Greenbush Line. These stations are mostly useful for commuters, offering large parking lots but little else in the way of nearby amenities.

Get around
By bus: The MBTA Bus Route 220 runs through the northern part of town, taking you into Quincy Center. A small portion of Bus Route 222 also runs through the western part of town along High Street, which also goes to Quincy Center.

Do

Buy
Downtown Hingham has a variety of shops. It is more commonly known as Hingham Square.

Sleep
There are no hotels in Hingham. The nearest is the Clarion Hotel in Hull.

Go next

 * Borders Cohasset, Hull, Norwell, Rockland, Scituate, and Weymouth. Weymouth will lead into Boston via Rt. 3/I-93 N or Rt. 3A/I-93 N (via Quincy).

title: Hingham


text:
Hinterstein

Hinterstein is a village in Germany.

Understand
Hinterstein lies in delightful altitude in the beautiful Oberallgäu. Here season is all-season, since at each season the mountains and valleys offer something for the nature friend.

Nature protected valley

The entire Hintersteiner valley is part of the protected area "Allgäuer high alps". The valley had to be managed by the lean & dry meadows prevailing here always extensively, whereby many plants kept here, which were exterminated in another place by intensive agricultural use and environmental pollution. At every step and turn the Wanderer can discover many threatened plants and animals. The farmers and herdsman in the valley committed themselves to manage all surfaces further carefully. The forest & pasture cooperative of the village received the European environmental price for its efforts for the environment some years ago.

Cow-alps

Above the village on the higher levels are several, partially managed cow-alps. In the summer feast there altogether up to 1000 pieces cattle, which then in the autumn to “Viehscheid” with large fixed bells in the valley pull. This Alphütten is also popular points of approach for Wanderer, in order to rest there and to enjoy a deftige bread time with bacon and mountain cheese.

Sleep
There are a number of holiday apportionments to rent in the village.

Go next

 * Sonthofen

title: Hinterstein


text:
Hintertux

Hintertux im Zillertal is a ski resort in the Tuxer Valley of Tyrol, Austria. With the beautiful glacier (Hintertuxer Gletscher) skiing is possible 365 days a year.

By car
Take the Inntal motorway (A12) – Exit at Zillertal, through road (B169) to Mayrhofen. Continue on the Tuxer Landesstrasse towards Hintertux. Use wheel chains when there is snow and ice!

By train
Express rail station Jenbach/Tirol, Zillertal railway (train or bus) to Mayrhofen; There is a post bus traffic-connection Mayrhofen - Hintertux.

By plane
The nearest airports are:
 * Innsbruck - 90 km
 * Munich - 230 km
 * Salzburg - 160 km

Good weather
Go skiing on the Hintertux Glacier!
 * {| class="wikitable"

!Name||Tel.||Altitude|| / / || /  /
 * Hintertux Glacier|| +43.5287.8510 ||1500-3250 m||20 Lifts: 6 / 6 / 8|| 51 km Pistes: 14 / 35 / 2
 * }
 * }

Bad weather

 * Bowling
 * Billiards
 * Darts
 * Fitness Studios
 * Squash
 * Wellness & Spa

Children
The childpark provides lots of entertainment for children:
 * ski-carousel
 * magic-carpet
 * Babylift
 * Snow Tubing
 * several figures

Go next

 * Mayrhofen

title: Hintertux


text:
Hinton

Hinton is a town of almost 10,000 people (2016) on the Yellowhead Highway in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta. Hinton sells itself as a gateway town to the Rockies, and also for its beaver boardwalk and surrounding parkland. If you're driving through, a coffee stop in the town, and a stretch along the boardwalk is a good opportunity for a driving break.

Understand
Hinton is a small town in the Athabasca River valley, 80 km (50 miles) along the main Yellowhead Highway from Jasper National Park. For those driving through there are a good range of services on the highway, a fast-food, a few motels, tourism information and a park. A couple of blocks back from the highway is the town proper, with some shopping and cafes.

History
While a native smallpox camp occupied a site along Hardisty Creek in 1870, the hamlet was established in 1911 and named for William P. Hinton, vice president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The Hinton coal mine opened in 1931; a pulp mill opened in 1955.

Grand Trunk's ill-fated expansion westward bankrupted the line as the more valuable southern route through Calgary (along what is now Trans-Canada Highway 1) had already been claimed by rival Canadian Pacific Railway and a short-lived third national railway (Canadian Northern Railway) covered much of the same territory. Canadian National has operated the line since 1923. At 8:40AM on February 8, 1986 a CN freight train passed multiple red (stop) signals and jumped a switch to enter the mainline, colliding with a passenger train near Hinton and killing twenty-three; a historic plaque marks the crash site (near Carldale Road east of Hinton).

Hinton, mile 978 west of Winnipeg, remains as a flag stop on Via Rail's Canadian train. The town is one of two staging areas for expeditions in the Willmore Wilderness Park (the other being Grande Cache) and is home to the Wild Mountain Music Fest, a weekend long show hosted by the Entrance Ranch.

By car
Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) runs through town. Travellers to Hinton can take Highway 16 going west from Edmonton and going east from Prince George and Jasper. Highway 40 (north-south) runs west of Hinton.

By bus

Brûlé
Brûlé is 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Hinton on Highway 40.

title: Hinton


text:
Hiraizumi

Hiraizumi (平泉) is a small town of 7,400 people (2020) in Iwate, in the northeastern Tohoku region of Japan.

Understand

 * 夏草や 兵どもが 夢の跡
 * natsukusa ya tsuwamono-domo ga yume no ato
 * Summer grass — all that remains of warrior dreams
 * -- Matsuo Bashō

During the reign of the Fujiwaras (866-1184), Hiraizumi was said to rival Kyoto in grandeur and sophistication, but now all that remains are the temples of Chusonji and Motsuji, both of which are mostly in ruins at that. Famed haiku poet Matsuo Basho penned the famous haiku quoted above, with the end result that now Basho is quite possibly more idolized in Hiraizumi than anywhere else, and you can't throw a rock in Hiraizumi without hitting a Basho statue, a Basho monument, an inscribed copy of a Basho haiku or at the very least a coffee shop waving its "As mentioned in Narrow Road to the Deep North!" banners.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By train
Hiraizumi is on the JR Tohoku Main Line, connecting to Morioka in the north and Sendai to the south.

The nearest Shinkansen stop, Ichinoseki, is 10 minutes away (¥200). Trains from Tokyo reach Ichinoseki in about 2½ hours (¥12,820 for the one-way trip to Hiraizumi; no charge with the Japan Rail Pass).

Tourist Information Site
Hiraizumi Navi is a multilingual guide site by the local tourist association.

Get around
Local buses connect JR Hiraizumi station to points of interest, although you can also reach them on foot. Bicycle hire is available just to the right of the station, it is ¥1,000 for the whole day (lesser periods are available) it allows you to get around quickly and enjoyably.

See

In 2011, six of the city's attractions were made World Heritage Sites under the name "Hiraizumi - Temples, Gardens, and Archaeological Sites Representing Pure Land Buddhism". Those sites are: Chuson-ji, Motsu-ji, Kanjizaio-in Ato, Muryoko-in Ato, Yanaginogosho Iseki, and Mount Kinkeisan.

Eat
There are a number of small teahouses and souvenir stands in the grounds of Chūsonji.

Go next

 * Ichinoseki
 * Fujisawa
 * Oshu
 * Kitakami
 * Hanamaki
 * Shiwa
 * Morioka
 * Tono
 * Kurihara

title: Hiraizumi


text:
Hirakata

Hirakata (枚方) is a city in Osaka Prefecture.

Tourist information site
The local Culture and Tourism Association has a Japanese-only guide site.

By train
Hirakata is served by Keihan Railway. In Osaka, from Kyobashi Station it costs ¥320 and ¥400 from Nakanoshima Station.

From Eastern Kyoto, you can reach Hirakata Station from Demachiyanagi (¥420), Sanjo (¥340), Gion-Shijo (¥340), and Chushojima (¥320). From Kyoto Station, you can transfer to the Keihan Line at Tanbabashi Station.

By bus
Keihan Bus services highway buses to and from Hirakata Station.
 * From Kyoto, buses depart from Sanjo Station and Kyoto Station.

Although Hirakata is rather small, there are highway buses that come and go from Tokyo and Urayasu. Buses depart for Hirakata from Shinjuku (¥8600 one way) and Tokyo Disney Resort (¥7900 one way).

By bus
Hirakata has a ¥100 Bus that travels from Hirakata Station to other destinations within the city.

Do

Learn
Hirakata is home to Kansai Gaidai University, a foreign language university. It's East Asian Studies Program has made it one of Japan's most popular universities for foreign students to attend for study abroad, as it has direct relations with many universities throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as some in South America, Africa, and other Asian nations.

Go next

 * Osaka
 * Kyoto
 * Yawata
 * Suita
 * Minō
 * Uji
 * Otsu
 * Kurama

title: Hirakata


text:
Hirosaki

Hirosaki (弘前) is a city in Aomori prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu.

Understand
Hirosaki was the capital of the Tsugaru clan that once ruled over much of Tohoku's northern parts. Occasionally called "the Kyoto of the North", this hyperbole is backed up mostly by an abundance of temples, a castle's remains, and a famous version of the Nebuta Festival, called the Neputa Festival in Hirosaki.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By plane
The closest airport is in Aomori.

By train
Hirosaki is on the JR Ōu Main Line (奥羽本線) connecting Aomori, Akita and Fukushima.

From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate or Hayabusa train to Shin-Aomori, then change to the Tsugaru Limited Express train or a Local Ou Main Line train bound for Akita/Odate. The trip takes 4 hours 15 minutes at a cost of ¥16,700. There is also a seasonal "Resort Shirakami" train connecting Akita and Aomori via the Gono line that makes a stop here. If you are coming in from Akita, unless you are taking the Resort Shirakami train for the view, it is far quicker to take the Tsugaru train. For foreign tourists heading from Tokyo, the better deal is to purchase a JR East Rail Pass or the national Japan Rail Pass.

Local trains from Aomori depart once per hour and take about 45 minutes (¥650). There are also additional Rapid trains at the same price during rush hour.

Get around
Hirosaki is fairly spread out and you will need to figure out the bus system to get around affordably. Most lines radiate from JR Hirosaki station.

See

Do

The local cherry blossom festival is also a sight to see. With over 5,000 cherry trees in the park around the castle. The locals and tourists find it an enjoyable festival of laughing, singing, dancing and drinking.

The snow lantern festival is held during early February every year. During the festival, Hirosaki Castle Park is filled with snow lanterns and sculptures which are illuminated during the evenings.

Eat
Hirosaki is Japan's leading producer of apples, introduced to the city in 1875 by John Inge, an American teacher working at a local school.

Drink
If you happen to be near the expansive apple orchards, the local apple juice is also a delectable, tantalizing taste for the tongue.

Connect
Drop into the Hirosaki Tourist Information Center at Otemon Square for useful maps and information.

Go next

 * Shirakami-Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its undisturbed beech forests and waterfalls, is under an hour away.
 * Aomori
 * Inakadate
 * Goshogawara
 * Tsugaru
 * Nishimeya
 * Hirakawa
 * Owani
 * Odate

title: Hirosaki


text:
Hiroshima

Hiroshima (広島) is an industrial city of wide boulevards and criss-crossing rivers along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. Although many only know it for the horrific split-second on August 6, 1945 when it became the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern cosmopolitan city with excellent cuisine and a bustling nightlife.

Understand
Those expecting to step off the Shinkansen into a pile of smoldering rubble will be in for a surprise, as Hiroshima has all the ferroconcrete and blinking neon of any other modern Japanese city. Teenagers stream in and out of the station, where McDonald's and the latest keitai (mobile phones) await; hapless salarymen rush down Aioi-dori to their next meeting, casting a bloodshot eye toward the seedy bars of Nagarekawa as they pass. At first glance, it can be hard to imagine that anything out of the ordinary ever happened here.

Hiroshima was founded in 1589 on the delta formed by the Ota River, flowing out to the Seto Inland Sea. The warlord Mori Terumoto built a castle there, only to lose it eleven years later to Tokugawa Ieyasu after the Battle of Sekigahara, which marked the beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate. Control of the area was given to the Asano clan of samurai, who ruled without much incident for the next two and a half centuries. Their descendants embraced the rapid modernization of the Meiji period, and Hiroshima became the seat of government for the region, a major industrial center, and a busy port.

By World War II, Hiroshima was one of the larger cities in Japan, and a natural communications and supply center for the military. Forced laborers from Korea and China were shipped in by the tens of thousands, and local schoolchildren also spent part of their days working in munitions factories. Residents of the city must have felt curiously blessed for the first few years of the war, as Hiroshima had been left largely untouched by American bombing campaigns; that was, however, intended to ensure a more accurate measurement of the atomic bomb's effect on the candidate cities, which had been narrowed down to Hiroshima, Kokura, Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Niigata.

On 6 August 1945 at 08:15 the American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb dubbed "Little Boy" on Hiroshima. It is estimated that at least 70,000 people were killed in the explosion and its immediate aftermath. Most of the city was built of wood, and fires raged out of control across nearly, leaving behind a charred plain with a few scattered concrete structures. Corpses lay piled in rivers; medical treatment was virtually non-existent, as most of the city's medical facilities had been located near the hypocenter, and the few doctors left standing had no idea what hit them. That evening, radioactive materials in the atmosphere caused a poisonous "black rain" to fall.

In the days ahead, many survivors began to come down with strange illnesses, such as skin lesions, hair loss, and fatigue. Between 70,000 and 140,000 people would eventually die from radiation-related diseases. Known as hibakusha, the survivors were also subject to severe discrimination from other Japanese, but have since been at the forefront of Japan's post-war pacifism and its campaign against the use of nuclear weapons.

Recovery was slow, given the scale of the devastation, and black markets thrived in the first few years after the war. However, the reconstruction of Hiroshima became a symbol of Japan's post-war pacifism. Today, Hiroshima has a population of more than 1.1 million. Automobiles are a major local industry, with Mazda's corporate headquarters nearby. There are three excellent art museums in the city center, some of Japan's most fanatical sports fans, and a wide range of culinary delights — most notably the city's towering contribution to bar cuisine, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Although many visitors, especially Americans, may feel apprehensive about visiting Hiroshima, it is a friendly, welcoming city, with as much interest in Western, especially American culture as anywhere else in Japan. Tourists are welcomed, and exhibits related to the atomic bomb are not concerned with blame or accusations. Bear in mind, though, that many hibakusha still live in the city, and even most of the young people in Hiroshima have family members who lived through the blast. As such, the average Hiroshima resident isn't likely to relish talking about it, although you needn't shy away from the topic if one of the chatty fellows around the Peace Park brings it up.

Climate
Unfortunately, most travelers experience Hiroshima during the worst weather of the year, in July and August, when days of heavy rain give way to brutal, muggy heat. Don't book accommodation without air conditioning if that's when you're planning to visit. Also note that in the latter half of September, warm and pleasant days are interspersed with typhoons powerful enough to wreck buildings (such as the one that nearly destroyed Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima in 2004) and keep travelers locked up in their hotels.

October and November are ideal, with less rain and cool, refreshing temperatures. The winter months are fine for a visit — the weather is dry, with very little rain or snow, and the temperatures are rarely cold enough to keep you indoors. As elsewhere in Japan, though, a number of museums are closed from 29 Dec to 1 Jan (or 3 Jan).

April and May also have excellent weather. The cherry blossoms come out in early April, and the parks around Hiroshima Castle turn into a mob scene with hanami parties. For sakura with a bit more solitude, go for a hike on Ushita-yama, overlooking the north exit of JR Hiroshima Station (see Recreation). March is the very beginning of the tourist season, and the plum trees (ume) are in blossom, so if you want to see Hiroshima surrounded by pink flowers but don't want to fight with every tourist on the planet to photograph them, March is a good time to go.

Read and watch

 * Eleanor Coerr's Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes tells the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young bomb victim who was inspired to fold cranes by a Japanese folk tale, which said that anyone who folds over a thousand cranes will have their wish come true. According to some versions of the story, Sadako completed more than a thousand before she died of leukemia at the age of twelve; in Coerr's book, she finished about 640 before she died, and her schoolmates completed the rest in her memory.
 * John Hersey's Hiroshima is a short but gripping book that describes the experiences of six people — five Japanese citizens and a German priest — before and after the blast. It was first published as an issue-length article in The New Yorker in August 1946. Almost forty years later, Hersey returned to Hiroshima to write a follow-up article, which continues the survivors' stories in the post-war years, and it is included in new editions of the book.
 * Masuji Ibuse's Black Rain (黒い雨, Kuroi ame)　is a novel about the post-war experiences of a family of hibakusha as they face discrimination in post-war Japanese society for both employment and marriage, and cope with health problems from radiation poisoning, the consequences of which were barely understood by doctors of the time.
 * Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen (はだしのゲン, Hadashi no Gen) is the most popular manga treatment of the atomic bomb story, based loosely on Nakazawa's own experience as a young boy in the days immediately after the blast.
 * Many Japanese people also associate Hiroshima with the yakuza, thanks to the classic 1971 Bunta Sugawara/Kinji Fukasaku gangster film Battles Without Honor and Humanity (仁義なき戦い, Jingi naki tatakai, also known as The Yakuza Papers) and its four sequels, which were set in the city.

Money
There is an international ATM in the lobby of the central post office, which is on your right as you exit the south side of JR Hiroshima Station. English menus should be available. International ATMs with English menus are also available at 7-Eleven convenience stores, which are open 24 hours in plentiful quantities throughout the city.

If you need to change money, the bank across the street from the station — on the first floor of the Fukuya department store — can handle transactions to and from most major currencies.

Orientation
Most visitors arrive at JR Hiroshima Station, which is a 25 minute walk from the Peace Park. If you arrive by Shinkansen, you will be at the north side of the station. There is an underground pedestrian walkway leading to the main side of the station (south exit), where all other trains arrive. Take the pedway and head upstairs; you will see the taxis, trams, and buses that lead to the city center. If you continue on the underground walkway, you'll reach an escalator that exits by a major bridge, with the station now behind you; you can walk to the Peace Park from there, branching right on Aioi-dori.

There is a tourist information office on the first floor of the south side of the station, and another on the second floor of the north side. They are open 09:30-17:00 daily.

Other visitors may arrive at the Hiroshima Bus Center (広島バスセンター) on the third floor of the SOGO department store, which is just down the street from the Peace Park. Coin lockers are available at both the Hiroshima Bus Center and JR Hiroshima Station.

Generally speaking, addresses in Minami-ku (Minami Ward) are in the station area, while Naka-ku (Naka Ward) covers the Peace Park and its surroundings.

Tourist Information Site
[https://dive-hiroshima.com/en/ Dive! Hiroshima] is the official multilingual guide site, jointly run by the prefecture's tourism association and the city's government.

By plane
Buses connect the airport to JR Hiroshima Station (45-50 min, ¥1370) and the Hiroshima Bus Center (55 minutes, ¥1370). There are also buses from the airport to Okayama, Onomichi, Iwakuni, Tottori, and other spots in the Chugoku region. The departing frequency varies from 30 minutes to an hour.

By train
is a major station on the JR West Sanyo Shinkansen line. On the fastest Nozomi and Mizuho trains, it is 35 minutes from Okayama (¥6350) and 80–85 minutes from Shin-Osaka (¥10630). Tokyo is around 3 hr 45 min away via Nozomi (¥19440). These prices are for reserved seats; unreserved seats, and seats on slower services such as the Sakura and Kodama, cost slightly less.

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you cannot use Nozomi and Mizuho trains, unless you pay a surcharge of approx ¥6500 (adult) so if you are traveling from Tokyo or Nagoya you will have to take one of the two hourly Hikari trains and switch at Shin-Osaka (alternatively at Shin-Kobe or Himeji) to the Sakura or another Hikari train on the Sanyo Shinkansen line. With these trains you can travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima in approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. There are a few one-way Hikari departures from Nagoya in the morning that run directly to Hiroshima with no change of trains necessary. There is also a direct one-way morning Hikari service that departs from Shin-Yokohama at 06:00 and reaches Hiroshima in less than four hours.

Traveling overnight by train from Tokyo, you can take the 22:00 Sunrise Izumo/Sunrise Seto train to Okayama, then take a Mizuho train to Hiroshima, arriving just before 07:30. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can book a carpeted floor space on the overnight service at no charge. Otherwise you can travel in a compartment or room by paying the applicable room fee and surcharges. Upon arriving at Okayama, Japan Rail Pass holders can transfer to a Hikari or Sakura at Okayama, arriving in Hiroshima just before 08:00.

Regular train services run through Hiroshima on the Sanyo Main Line (between Kobe and Kitakyushu), along with several local lines.

By bus
Long-distance buses arrive and depart from the north exit of JR Hiroshima Station, where there is a JR Bus counter, and the Hiroshima Bus Center in the city center. There is service to and from cities in Kanto, Kansai, Kyushu, Shikoku, and much of the rest of Japan.

From Kantō
The New Breeze overnight bus, operated by JR Chugoku Bus and Odakyu City Bus, runs between Tokyo and Hiroshima. Pickup and discharge stops in Tokyo are at Tokyo Station and the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. There is one daily overnight bus, with a second bus added on a seasonal basis. Normally ¥13250 each way, advance discount fares can be purchased for as low as ¥7700.

Other overnight services from Tokyo include those operated by Willer Express, starting at ¥7700 each way. Chugoku Bus operates an overnight service from Yokohama, starting at ¥9600 each way for advance purchase.

From Kansai
JR Bus operates two daytime trips from Kyoto (starting at ¥3500 each way) and one overnight service (starting at ¥3800 each way) using high-density buses seating 4 per row. Trips from Osaka, on the other hand, are operated with the high-density buses as well as standard buses that seat 3 to a row. For the standard services, daytime buses start at ¥3500 each way and the overnight service starts at ¥4500 each way.

Willer Express also operates daytime services from Kyoto and Osaka (starting at ¥4600 each way) and overnight services (starting at ¥4300 each way).

From Chūbu
JR Bus' Hiroshima Dream Nagoya operates a daily overnight service from Nagoya Station and Oasis 21 to Hiroshima, with fares starting at ¥5890 each way.

By ferry
Ferries dock at which also serves as terminus for several tram lines. Ishizaki Kisen operates daily service to and from Matsuyama in Shikoku, with some boats stopping in Kure along the way. The ride (known as "Superjet") takes 70–80 minutes to reach Matsuyama and costs ¥6980 each way. Slower ferries, which also carry motor vehicles, arrive in 2 hr 40 min at a much-reduced cost of ¥3670.

By car
From the San'yo Expressway, take exit 29 for Hiroshima. Heading southwest on National Highway Route 54 will take you to the center of town; Route 2 is the major east/west artery, south of the city center. Confirm in advance that your hotel offers parking — not all do, and public parking is both expensive and hard to find.

Get around
There is a Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass that covers either 3-day or 5-day journeys inside the city or the prefecture. It could be obtained from the Information Center on the first floor of the airport, the JR station, the Hiroshima Bus Center, and other tourist locations. It is suitable for travelers seeking to use public transportation frequently during their trip in the city. The tourist pass is available only on the day or on the next day when you request the pass.

By tram
Hiroshima has an extensive tram (streetcar) network, which is operated by Hiroden (広電). It's a slow but reliable way of getting around. The trams themselves are a mix of old rattle-traps and sleek, new "Green Movers" — although they all run on the same lines for the same fares. There's no difference other than the smoothness of the ride. Because the trams were bought from other cities, you're getting a tour of Japanese transit history — some have been in service for more than fifty years, and that might be an old Kyoto tram taking you through Hiroshima. Trams 651 and 652, both of which survived the atomic bomb blast, are still sometimes used in regular service.

Most lines originate from JR Hiroshima Station, and run frequently during daytime and evening hours, approximately one tram every 10 minutes per line. Boarding and payment procedures vary by tram; however, the entrance and exit are clearly marked in English. (If in doubt, just follow the locals.) Pay as you exit. Change machines are usually available on board if you don't have exact change — check near the front or back of the car. Trips within the city are a flat ¥190, save for one line that runs between Hakushima and Hachobori for ¥130; trundling out all the way to Miyajima-guchi (to catch a ferry to Miyajima) will set you back ¥270. One-day passes are available from the tourist office for ¥600 (¥300 children). A day pass which also includes travel on the Matsudai Kisen ferry to Miyajima costs ¥840 (¥420 children).

By bus
Bus lines run through Hiroshima and out to the suburbs. Generally speaking, these serve areas more likely to be used by locals than visitors. Signs include English, and buses depart next to the tram depot in front of JR Hiroshima Station. Japan Rail Pass holders can use a free sightseeing bus, which goes in a loop from and to Hiroshima station via all important sights in the city. There are three meipuru-pu ("Maple + Loop") bus lines operated under Chugoku JR Bus Company that circulates around the city's main tourist spots.

By metro
The modern Astram (アストラムライン) links the city center with the northern suburbs, although there aren't many tourist sights out that way. Trips range from ¥180-470 by distance, with departures every few minutes 06:00-00:00. The underground station at the end of Hon-dōri, near the Peace Park, is the terminus in the city center.

By bike
Hiroshima is a great city for cycling. Most of the sidewalks are fairly wide by Japanese standards; the paths along the branches of the rivers offer a very pleasant ride, and if you're looking to test your legs, head up to the hills around Hijiyama Park. Many hotels will be happy to arrange bike rentals.

 * Tourist information centers in JR Hiroshima station keep a map of associated rent-a-cycle outlets within downtown Hiroshima. Most of the outlets have their rental desks located in the lobbies of major hotels. The price is ¥1000 per day for an electric-assist bike, and the bikes can be rented from and returned to any of the associated outlets.
 * Tourist information centers in JR Hiroshima station keep a map of associated rent-a-cycle outlets within downtown Hiroshima. Most of the outlets have their rental desks located in the lobbies of major hotels. The price is ¥1000 per day for an electric-assist bike, and the bikes can be rented from and returned to any of the associated outlets.
 * Tourist information centers in JR Hiroshima station keep a map of associated rent-a-cycle outlets within downtown Hiroshima. Most of the outlets have their rental desks located in the lobbies of major hotels. The price is ¥1000 per day for an electric-assist bike, and the bikes can be rented from and returned to any of the associated outlets.

Peace Memorial Park
Most of the memorials related to the atomic bomb are in and around the Peace Memorial Park (平和公園 Heiwa-kōen), reachable by tram line 2 or 6 to Genbaku Dome-mae. Coming from JR Hiroshima Station, you'll see the Peace Park on your left just before crossing the T-shaped Aioi Bridge, which is thought to have been the target of the bomb.

Once part of the busy Nakajima merchant district, this area was destroyed almost in its entirety by the bomb. Today, there are more than fifty memorials, statues, and other structures in the Park. Some will be obscure in their meaning; others are immediate and devastating. There is no entry fee, save for the Peace Memorial Museum, and access to the grounds is not restricted at night.

 * Tens of thousands of forced laborers from Korea were working in Hiroshima at the time of the attack. But the was erected outside the Peace Park in 1970, and only moved within its boundaries in 1999. Today, the turtle at the base of the monument — symbolically carrying the dead to the afterlife — tends to be draped in his fair share of colorful origami cranes and flowers.
 * The is engraved with a world map, drawn without borders to symbolize unity. The public are welcomed to ring the bell — not coincidentally, the log is aimed to strike an atomic symbol. (Ring the bell gently, so as not to damage it.)
 * The holds the ashes of 70,000 bomb victims who were unidentified or had no living relatives to claim them. Services are held in their memory on the 6th of every month.
 * The was known as the Taishoya Kimono Shop at the time of the explosion. Only one employee, who was in the basement at the time, survived. However, the reinforced concrete building stayed mostly intact. (The interior has been entirely refurbished, but it is possible to visit the preserved basement with advance request.) Today, it holds a gift shop, some vending machines, a helpful tourist information office, and — as the name would suggest — a place to rest.
 * The holds the ashes of 70,000 bomb victims who were unidentified or had no living relatives to claim them. Services are held in their memory on the 6th of every month.
 * The was known as the Taishoya Kimono Shop at the time of the explosion. Only one employee, who was in the basement at the time, survived. However, the reinforced concrete building stayed mostly intact. (The interior has been entirely refurbished, but it is possible to visit the preserved basement with advance request.) Today, it holds a gift shop, some vending machines, a helpful tourist information office, and — as the name would suggest — a place to rest.

 * Inside the is a stone chest with a registry that is intended to contain the names of every known person who died from the bombing, regardless of nationality. (Names are added as hibakusha pass away from diseases thought related to the radiation of the bomb.) The Japanese inscription reads, "Let all the souls here rest in peace, for the evil shall not be repeated." Note how the arch frames the A-Bomb Dome in the distance.
 * At the other end of the pond from the Cenotaph is the (平和の灯 heiwa no tomoshibi). It is said that the fire will burn until the last nuclear weapon is gone from the earth.
 * The, completed in 1960 by artist Shin Hongo, is among the most powerful works of art created in response to the atomic bomb. It depicts a woman shielding her child from the black rain. It's in front of the just south of the Peace Memorial Museum.
 * The were installed in 2005 on Heiwa-o-dori, just south of the Peace Park, by a pair of French artists. On the sidewalk and the surface of the gates, the word "peace" is written in 49 languages. The ten gates are meant to represent the nine circles of hell from Dante's Inferno, plus a new one: the hell created by the atomic bombing.
 * The, completed in 1960 by artist Shin Hongo, is among the most powerful works of art created in response to the atomic bomb. It depicts a woman shielding her child from the black rain. It's in front of the just south of the Peace Memorial Museum.
 * The were installed in 2005 on Heiwa-o-dori, just south of the Peace Park, by a pair of French artists. On the sidewalk and the surface of the gates, the word "peace" is written in 49 languages. The ten gates are meant to represent the nine circles of hell from Dante's Inferno, plus a new one: the hell created by the atomic bombing.
 * The were installed in 2005 on Heiwa-o-dori, just south of the Peace Park, by a pair of French artists. On the sidewalk and the surface of the gates, the word "peace" is written in 49 languages. The ten gates are meant to represent the nine circles of hell from Dante's Inferno, plus a new one: the hell created by the atomic bombing.

Outside the Peace Park

 * As you explore the city and outskirts, keep an eye out for maroon-colored marble historical markers such as the one outside the A-Bomb Dome or the one marking the Hypocenter, which have photographs and text in both Japanese and English. You'll come across markers as far as a few miles away from the Peace Park — which lends perspective to the distance and extent of the damage.
 * Somewhat incongruously, the 1925 at 7-1 Hon-dori, Naka-ku (Hon-dōri tram stop) also survived the blast, and now serves as home of a busy Andersen Bakery. The ground-level renovations and the ceiling of the Hon-dori arcade combine to obscure its age, but there's a historical marker on the corner. Stepping out of Hon-dori to the side street gives a better view of the building — and how the city rebuilt around it.
 * There is a fascinating, little-known pre-bomb house on the outskirts of Hijiyama Park. Walk up toward the park on the street branching upward from the Hijiyamashita tram stop. You'll see a temple on your left with a historical marker out front. Just past the temple is a set of stone steps, leading up to a small house and explanatory plaque. (Notice the vane at the top of the house, warped from the heat of the bomb.) Please note that while visitors are welcome in the front yard, the rest of the area is private property, including the house itself.
 * From the Shinkansen side of JR Hiroshima Station, you'll see an enigmatic silver tower on Futaba-yama, the mountain ahead. That's the (Busshari-to), built in 1966 in memory of those killed by the atomic bomb. To reach it, simply head uphill on the main street facing away from the station. You'll pass through a quiet, pleasant neighborhood of cafes and hillside houses, climb steps, and eventually reach . Follow the road around the shrine and you'll reach the red lanterns and torii of . Head through the gates and up the steps to reach the Peace Pagoda. It's an even more impressive sight from the top of the mountain; inside the Pagoda are two gifts containing ashes of the Buddha, which were a gift to Hiroshima from India and a group of Mongolian Buddhists, along with thousands of prayer stones. You'll also be able to see the whole jumble of the city below.
 * Somewhat incongruously, the 1925 at 7-1 Hon-dori, Naka-ku (Hon-dōri tram stop) also survived the blast, and now serves as home of a busy Andersen Bakery. The ground-level renovations and the ceiling of the Hon-dori arcade combine to obscure its age, but there's a historical marker on the corner. Stepping out of Hon-dori to the side street gives a better view of the building — and how the city rebuilt around it.
 * There is a fascinating, little-known pre-bomb house on the outskirts of Hijiyama Park. Walk up toward the park on the street branching upward from the Hijiyamashita tram stop. You'll see a temple on your left with a historical marker out front. Just past the temple is a set of stone steps, leading up to a small house and explanatory plaque. (Notice the vane at the top of the house, warped from the heat of the bomb.) Please note that while visitors are welcome in the front yard, the rest of the area is private property, including the house itself.
 * From the Shinkansen side of JR Hiroshima Station, you'll see an enigmatic silver tower on Futaba-yama, the mountain ahead. That's the (Busshari-to), built in 1966 in memory of those killed by the atomic bomb. To reach it, simply head uphill on the main street facing away from the station. You'll pass through a quiet, pleasant neighborhood of cafes and hillside houses, climb steps, and eventually reach . Follow the road around the shrine and you'll reach the red lanterns and torii of . Head through the gates and up the steps to reach the Peace Pagoda. It's an even more impressive sight from the top of the mountain; inside the Pagoda are two gifts containing ashes of the Buddha, which were a gift to Hiroshima from India and a group of Mongolian Buddhists, along with thousands of prayer stones. You'll also be able to see the whole jumble of the city below.

Other sights

Recreation

 * And if you're on a quest to complete the whole set of Hiroshima professional sports, visit the JT Thunders of the V-League (volleyball), who hold court at the, and the Hiroshima Maple Reds of the Japanese Handball League, Women's Division, who play at the Hirogin no mori Gymnasium.
 * And if you're on a quest to complete the whole set of Hiroshima professional sports, visit the JT Thunders of the V-League (volleyball), who hold court at the, and the Hiroshima Maple Reds of the Japanese Handball League, Women's Division, who play at the Hirogin no mori Gymnasium.
 * And if you're on a quest to complete the whole set of Hiroshima professional sports, visit the JT Thunders of the V-League (volleyball), who hold court at the, and the Hiroshima Maple Reds of the Japanese Handball League, Women's Division, who play at the Hirogin no mori Gymnasium.

Work
Hiroshima features the standard array of English teaching opportunities, with branches of major eikaiwa like Geos, AEON and ECC as well as small, niche language schools. The Hiroshima International Center (see Connect) is a good place to make inquiries, as is a Saturday night at Kemby's (see Drink).

Mazda is largest employer of foreign personnel in the area, due to their manufacturing plants in USA, Mexico, China and Southeast Asian countries. Contract workers from Southeast Asia and the South Pacific are brought in by Hiroshima-based firms for industries such as shipbuilding, notably in the nearby port city of Kure.

Some non-Japanese work illegally — or under-the-radar — as bartenders or sell jewelry in Nagarekawa, which motivates occasional visa crackdowns (see Stay safe).

Buy
Shopping in Hiroshima is dominated by a few huge department stores. Hon-dori (本通り), a covered shopping arcade in the city center, is the place to wander with a wallet you'd like to empty.

In terms of souvenirs, Hiroshima Carp memorabilia is the most widely found, although there's some spillover from the super-powered knick-knack engine that is Miyajima.

Eat
Hiroshima is famous for its style of okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), which literally means "cook it as you like it". Often (and somewhat misleadingly) called "Japanese pizza", it is better described as a type of savory pancake made with egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and meat, seafood or cheese. It is grilled in layers on a hot plate in front of you and slathered liberally with okonomiyaki sauce, with optional extras such as mayonnaise, pickled ginger, and seaweed. It sounds and looks like a mess, but is very tasty and filling. To give you a sense of the civic pride involved here, the Hiroshima tourist information office offers a map with a whopping 97 shops serving okonomiyaki within city limits, and reports have several hundred more in the area. Micchan (みっちゃん) is the most famous of the Hiroshima- style okonomiyaki restaurants with long histories. It has a few branches in and around the center of Hiroshima.

Hiroshima style and Osaka style are the two competing types of okonomiyaki, and if you raise the subject of okonomiyaki with a local, be ready to state your preference between the two! Basically, in Hiroshima the ingredients are layered and pressed together while cooking, while in Osaka the batter is mixed together first, and the ingredients do not include noodles. According to local legend, both dishes originate from a cheap snack called issen yōshoku (一銭洋食) or "one-cent Western meal", which consisted of a wheat and water pancake served with scallions and sauce. Representing the other side of the pancake divide, Tokunaga (徳永) is the best-known Kansai-style okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima.

There are Japanese and American chain restaurants clustered near the station, including Starbucks, McDonald's, sushi shops and okonomiyaki shops among many others. Most will serve until 22:00, though McDonalds stays open later.

Hiroshima is also famous for its oysters (available between October and March) and a maple-leaf-shaped pastry called momiji manjū (もみじ饅頭). (Momiji is the leaf of a Japanese maple tree.) Momiji manjū are available with a variety of fillings, including the more traditional anko (あんこ), red bean and matcha (抹茶), or green tea; it's also available in cream cheese, custard, apple and chocolate flavors. Boxes of momiji manjū are considered the quintessential Hiroshima souvenir, but Miyajima is the best place to buy it fresh.

Drink
Nagarekawa has the highest concentration of bars in Hiroshima — the good, the bad, and the hostess — but there are a number of good, quiet wine bars on Hakushima-dori, and plenty of foreigner-friendly pubs clustered around the giant PARCO building. Yagenbori-dori is full of bars and clubs that are spread across floors of the various high-rise buildings.

Sake enthusiasts should not miss the chance to visit the breweries of Saijo, particularly during the annual festival in October — see above.

Budget
For a short night before an early train, the cheapest digs in town will be to nap in the easy chairs at the two Internet cafes outside the south exit of JR Hiroshima Station (see Connect), or possibly a Nagarekawa karaoke box. You won't be the only one doing it, particularly on weekends.

Stay safe
Hiroshima has a rough reputation among Japanese people from other cities, thanks largely to the yakuza movies that were filmed in town. In reality, though, it's much safer than any large Western city. As with most places in Japan, petty theft is virtually non-existent. Nagarekawa, the nightlife district, does have its share of prostitutes, sex clubs, and rip-off hostess bars, but to no greater extent than Tokyo or Osaka.

There have been a few surprise police raids on bars that offer dancing after 01:00, in accordance with a semi-obscure local law about public immorality that Hiroshima occasionally feels compelled to enforce — probably in order to catch people who are in the country illegally. Japanese citizens are generally allowed to leave right away, but foreigners have been made to stand in line to have their paperwork checked. If you find yourself in one of these situations, just stay calm, show the police your passport, and you'll eventually be allowed to leave without any trouble.

Connect
Public wireless LAN is available at public facilities in Hiroshima City and Miyajima Island, as well as on some ferries. Available locations can be found at official tourist website.

Cope
Hiroshima is a safe and friendly city, accustomed to and eager to receive foreign visitors. The average English level among Hiroshima residents is relatively high for a Japanese city, particularly around the Peace Park. Directions to the major sights are clearly sign-posted in English throughout the city.

The Peace Memorial Park is a very popular school trip destination for Japanese students, and you may be accosted by kids working on school projects, asking you (in halting English) where you're from, what your name is, or whatever else their teacher has assigned them to ask. They travel in packs, so you should be able to see them coming from a distance and avoid (or engage) accordingly.

As mentioned above, visiting the sights related to the atomic bomb can be an intense experience. If you only have one day set aside for Hiroshima, you'll naturally wind up spending most of it at the atomic bomb memorials. For your own peace of mind, though, try to set aside time to relax and reflect in other parts of the city, such as Chuo Park or Shukkeien, both of which are only a short walk from the Peace Park.

Go next

 * Miyajima and its iconic floating torii are an easy day-trip from Hiroshima — about an hour away by tram or local train to the port of Miyajima-guchi and then a short ferry ride.
 * If WWII history brought you to Hiroshima, nearby Kure has more to see with the Yamato Museum
 * Higashihiroshima is home to Saijō, one of the nation's top three sake districts.
 * Trips from Hiroshima's Ujina Port can be made to other islands in the Seto Inland Sea, such as Ninoshima and its old style Japanese village of Aki no Kofuji.
 * A longer ferry ride from Ujina could take you to Matsuyama for a day at the famed Dogo Onsen hot springs. The ferry company operating this service offers a foreigner discount of ~45% off the normal price. One way ticket price after discount from Hiroshima to Matsuyama is ¥2000 for the slow ferry and ¥3600 for fast one.
 * Iwakuni, about 45 minutes away by train, features the Kintai-kyo samurai bridge and a scenic castle reconstruction.
 * Onomichi, a hillside town of temples and Japanese novelists, is 75 minutes away by train.
 * Okayama is the other major transit hub for the region, about 45 minutes by Shinkansen. Aside from its own attractions, Okayama offers access to the museums and canals of Kurashiki.

title: Hiroshima


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Hiroshima (prefecture)

Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県 Hiroshima-ken) is in the western Chugoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu.

Understand
This location has been a major center of trade since the beginning of Japan's recorded history. Having 2.8 million people, Hiroshima is ranked as the 12th most populated prefecture among the 47 prefectures of Japan.

Climate varies between places within the prefecture and between seasons; southern coastline areas are generally warm and don't get much rain throughout the year, while northern mountains can get heavy snow in winter. In summer, the temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius on average, and can go beyond 35 degrees.

Tourist Information Site
[https://dive-hiroshima.com/en/ Dive! Hiroshima] is the prefecture's official multilingual guide site.

Cities

 * — The prefectural capital
 * — Site of the famous floating torii, and a well-preserved little town
 * — Port city known for old temples and Japanese authors
 * — Site of the famous floating torii, and a well-preserved little town
 * — Port city known for old temples and Japanese authors
 * — Port city known for old temples and Japanese authors
 * — Port city known for old temples and Japanese authors
 * — Port city known for old temples and Japanese authors
 * — Port city known for old temples and Japanese authors

Other destinations

By train
The Sanyo Shinkansen from Osaka to Fukuoka (Hakata) runs down the coast of Hiroshima prefecture, stopping at all major cities including Hiroshima and Onomichi. Direct Nozomi trains from Tokyo take about four hours to reach Hiroshima and cost ¥18,500 one-way.

By bike
Some coastline areas in Hiroshima are good for travelling by bike. Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Cycling Course, connecting Onomichi, islands on Seto Inland Sea and Imabari, is a major attraction to cyclists around Japan.

See

 * View the remnants of the devastation left by the atomic bomb at the Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum and Peace Park (Hiroshima)
 * Take a ferry to Itsukushima Shrine the most photographed Shinto Shrine and World Heritage Site (Miyajima)
 * Try the local sake and roam the historic streets of Saijo (Higashihiroshima)
 * See the "best view in Asia" firsthand in Tomonoura (Fukuyama)
 * Tour the facilities of the famous Japanese car-maker at the Mazda Museum (Hiroshima)
 * Enjoy the seasonal flowers at Sera Kogen (Sera)

Do

 * Shimanami Kaido - A 70km cycling route from mainland Hiroshima to Shikoku via multiple islands in the Seto Inland Sea.

Higashi-Hiroshima City

 * Saijo Sake Festival in October.
 * Visit a sake brewery.

Go next

 * Okayama Prefecture lies to the east. Kurashiki with its beautiful and well-preserved historic district is easily accessible from Hiroshima Prefecture. Other cities in the prefecture include Okayama, which contains many museums, Korakuen Garden one of Japan's Top 3 gardens, and the Kibi Trail, among other things. The city of Takahashi is home to the famous Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, which is the highest castle in Japan, as well as one of Japan's remaining original castles.
 * Shimane Prefecture is located north of Hiroshima Prefecture. In Izumo you can find Izumo Shrine, the second most holy Shinto Shrine in the nation; it's quite an impressive site. The city of Matsue is famous for Matsue Castle, one of only twelve original castles left in Japan, Vogel Park, one of the largest greenhouses in the world, and the Lafcadio Hearn Residence. Shimane is also home to one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, Iwami Ginzan, in Oda.
 * Yamaguchi (prefecture) borders Hiroshima Prefecture to the west. In the city of Yamaguchi, you will find the beautiful Rurikoji Temple, Joieiji Temple, and memorial for Saint Francis Xavier. In Hagi, there are many cultural sites, such as the ruins of Hagi Castle, Hagi Castle Town, and the Hagi Uragami Museum which houses a large amount of famous Japanese Ukiyoe artwork. For nature lovers, Akiyoshidai is home to Akiyoshidai Plateau, the largest limestone plateau in Japan and the Akiyoshido Cave, the largest cave in Japan. Akiyoshidai is not so well known among foreign tourists however, it is a unique and very worthwhile addition to one's travel itinerary.

title: Hiroshima (prefecture)


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Hirtshals

Hirtshals is an important ferry harbour in North Jutland, Denmark.

By car or bus
The European route E39 highway ends in Hirtshals, where cars can continue their journey via ferry to Norway. Nordjyllands trafik selskab route 224 connects to Hjørring several times per day.

Do
Hirtshals is a starting point of the epic hike of Hærvejen, leading down the entire Jutland peninsula, all the way to the border with Germany. The trail is 500 km long and follows ancient trails used in olden times to transport cattle and soldiers. It is designed for an 18 day journey, but you can chose to hike shorter individual parts and still get a great experience of the nature and cultural variety of Jutland.

Go next
Hirtshals is an important habour for the Nordic Region. From here, you can go by ship to these countries:

 * Norway. From Hirtshals, you can sail to a handful of Norwegian towns, including Bergen, Stavanger, Kristiansand, and Larvik. From Frederikshavn, not far from Hirtshals, you can sail on to Oslo, the capital of Norway.

 * The Faroe Islands. Board a ship and sail on to Torshavn, the main town on The Faroe Islands. Hirtshals is the only port in Denmark servicing these remote and beautiful islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.

 * Iceland. Hirtshals also serves Seyðisfjörður by ferry. This is the only port in Denmark with a ferry service to Iceland.

title: Hirtshals


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Hisar

Hisar (हिसार) is a district and divisional headquarter city in the state of Haryana in India.

Understand
Originating and radially spreading from Rakhi Garhi, Hisar is the cradle of 8000 years old Indus Valley Civilization, that is also the home of Ashoka's pillar, Feroz Shah's fort complex, museums, 3 universities and centre of steel production. It is in the heart of the triangle of national capital Delhi, state capital Chandigarh and Rajasthan's historic capital Jaipur. It is easily accessible as a good stopover. It is in the jat heartland of brave soldiers, rustic farmers, renowned educators (3 universities) and India's richest businesses (Jindal Group and Zee Group). It retains a small town charm with all the affordable modern facilities without the big city price tag.

Climate
Hisar has the typical north Indian climate, almost the same as that of Delhi: expect cold, foggy winters, drenching monsoons and scorching hot, dusty summers. Winter runs from early November till mid-February; usually January is the coldest month. In winters, temperatures may even drop to –2 °C. In March and April the temperature is pleasant. The summer starts in May and goes till July, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C at times. The heat is broken by the monsoon in mid-July, which pours rain until mid-September.

By car

 * Delhi, 170 km, buses available from ISBT, Delhi in every 5-10 minutes.
 * Chandigarh, 237 km, buses available from the main bus stop.
 * Jaipur, 380 km, buses available every hour.

By train
There are three daily trains from Delhi, Gorkhdham Express, Kissan Express and Haryana Express. One daily train from Bathinda, the Sirsa Express, as well as express services a few times per week from Jaipur, Mumbai and Jammu.

By plane

 * Indira Gandhi International Airport, 170 km
 * Indira Gandhi International Airport, 170 km

Get around
Auto rickshaws are easily available from the early morning till late at night. After business hours, auto rickshaws can still be found at the bus station, railway station and major roundabouts.

See

 * Agroha Dhaam
 * Agroha Mound
 * Guru Jambheshwar University
 * Gyankendra
 * Sai Temple Sec 13
 * Sati Mandir Sec 16,17
 * Ladwa Gaushala and Cancer Hospital Village Ladwa
 * Guru Jambheshwar University
 * Gyankendra
 * Sai Temple Sec 13
 * Sati Mandir Sec 16,17
 * Ladwa Gaushala and Cancer Hospital Village Ladwa

Museums

 * Gujri Mahal and Site Museum
 * Gujri Mahal and Site Museum
 * Gujri Mahal and Site Museum

Parks and lakes

 * Town Park
 * Town Park
 * Town Park
 * Town Park

Do

 * MG Cinema, Bypass Road
 * Suncity Mall, Delhi Road

Other
 * Water park in summers

Buy

 * Gajarpak, special carrot-based condensed milk pudding of Hisar
 * Haryana Handloom and Khadi products near Nagori Gate
 * Peda, special condensed milk sweet of Hisar
 * Tailor made clothes
 * Traditional Jutti

Eat

 * Banarasi Dass Halwai for special sweets from the 18th century, famous for Malpura, Rabri and Gajarpaak
 * Dominos Pizza
 * Imarti from Goswami Sweets Nagori Gate.
 * Lazeez Restaurant for lunch and dinner North Indian and Italian dishes
 * Pahuja Juice for South Indian and Chinese foods speciality
 * Ram chat Bhandar for street food tastes like Aalooo lachha tokri
 * PLA Market street for variety spicy foods, such as Panner Tikka, Soya Chaap, hot dog and Mommos
 * Volga Bakery for instant baked superior quality foods, snacks, baked products and pizzas
 * For non-vegetarian cuisine, there are few very good places, including Avinash Chicken Corner at Camp Chowk and another at Kabab PLA market.

Drink

 * Lassi Malai maar kr from Kalu Lasi wala at Parijat chowk
 * Rabri Glass from Ram Chat bhandar
 * Hot milk (only available in evening) at Goswami Sweets Nagori gate

Sleep

 * Aggarsen Bhavan, Green Square Market, A/C room from ₹800
 * Govind Palace, Sec 15, A/C room from ₹800
 * Hotel Grace, A/C room from ₹2000
 * Hotel Palki, Red Square Market, A/C room from ₹1000

Go next

 * Chandigarh, 250 km
 * Delhi, 170 km
 * Jaipur

title: Hisar


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Hisar Division

Hisar Division (Punjabi:ਹਿਸਾਰ ਦਿਵਿਸਿਓਂ) is in Haryana, India.

Cities

 * — a city known for its temples. Sometimes referred to as Bangroo Kashi

 * — a city with famous Shrine of Baba Ranadhir

 * — a city and municipal center with a long historical past. Visit Fatehbad Fort

 * — a city with a varied architecture and historical sites

 * — city with a growing industrial and educational foundation. There are many historical attractions

 * — city and municipal council. Nehru Park is but one place to see

 * — city and municipal council. It is of archaeological significance. Many places of interest to visit

Get in
Hisar Airport

Eat
bajra ki roti or batua ka sag sat mai lasi ka gilas

Drink
Milk is the best drink in haryana

Stay safe
you can stay every where, you feel safe

title: Hisar Division


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Hispaniola

Hispaniola is a Caribbean island that was explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492 and became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland.

The Spanish Empire initially claimed the whole island. But due to the inability of Spain to actually enforce that claim, the Western third soon became a haven of piracy and later part of the French Empire, becoming one of the most lucrative and most brutal slavery-based cash-crop colonies as "Saint Domingue". The eastern two thirds remained Spanish and relatively unimportant.

The Haitian Revolution began in 1791 and ended with France recognizing the new state of Haiti in 1804. Haiti was the former French part; they laid claim to the Spanish parts of the island and briefly conquered them but lost and ultimately gave up all claims to it during the 19th century.

Today the island encompasses two separate countries:
 * Dominican Republic – Occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island.
 * Haiti – Occupies the western third of the island.

title: Hispaniola