Both
Mansi and I are History lovers, and while she is currently studying it in
University, I love learning about history on my own. Both of the world wars have been the most
interesting part I took from grade 10 history class. When the first atomic bomb was dropped over
Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable
distinction. The destructive power of the bomb was tremendous and obliterated nearly
everything within a two kilometer radius.
Waking up early in Osaka, we'll take the JR Shinkansen train/Bullet train to get to Hiroshima Station. Exit the station, to go on to Heiwa-Odori Street to get to the Peace Memorial park and Shukkeien Garden.After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild the city. Predictions that the city would be uninhabitable proved false. Destroyed monuments of Hiroshima's historical heritage like the Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed. In the center of the city a large park was built and given a name that would reflect the aspirations of the re-born city: Peace Memorial Park.
Waking up early in Osaka, we'll take the JR Shinkansen train/Bullet train to get to Hiroshima Station. Exit the station, to go on to Heiwa-Odori Street to get to the Peace Memorial park and Shukkeien Garden.After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild the city. Predictions that the city would be uninhabitable proved false. Destroyed monuments of Hiroshima's historical heritage like the Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed. In the center of the city a large park was built and given a name that would reflect the aspirations of the re-born city: Peace Memorial Park.
The Peace Park is not hard to miss, and the the first area we would be going to is the Museum. Consisting of two building, the museum surveys the history of Hiroshima and the time before the nuclear bomb. Its main focus though is on the events of August 6; the dropping of the bomb and its outcome in human suffering. The personal details displayed are quite upsetting. The museum is geared to accommodate and educate its international visitors.
The second building, the A-Bomb Dome, is what remains of the Industrial Promotion Hall. When the bomb dropped and exploded, this building was one if the only buildings to remain standing to this day. This site is apart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it a tangible like to the history of that dreadful day.
Between the
Museum and the A-Bomb Dome is the Cenotaph
for the A-Bomb Victims. The Cenotaph is an arched tomb for those who died
because of the bomb, either because of the first blast or the exposure to
radiation. Below the arch is a stone chest has the names of all that perished,
of which there are over 220,000.
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| Top Row: Hiroshima after bomb blast, Peace Memorial Park Bottom Row: View of Hiroshima today, A-Bome Dome |
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| Cenotaph for A-bomb victims |
After a stroll in Shukkeien Garden, it’s off to Miyajima by ferry (ferries are free with the JR Pass). Miyajima is a small island less than an hour from Hiroshima. The island is most known for it gaint Torii gate which is one the most photographed and celebrated images in Japan. The torii gate is placed inside the Itsukshima Shinto Shrine, and is surrounded by the sea (really beautiful when on the ferry).
Staying overnight in Miyajima gives us the perfect opportunity to stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. The hotel we will be staying at is the Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto, which has a rate of 18900 yen/223 CAN a night, for a two bedroom Japanese styled room. Since the island is quiet and peaceful, it will give us some time to relax in an open bath, and fall asleep to the sounds of the sea.
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| Top: Torii Gates, Public Bath Bottom: Miyajima ryokan, Traditional Japanese inn dinner |
Miyajima Hotel Source
Images: Google Images
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