Sites in Hiroshima

We were in Hiroshima on 26 December and 27 December 2007. On the first day, we went to the island of Miyajima. The weather was beautiful!! The island is about a 30 minute train ride and a 10 minute ferry ride away.

(There were a ton of deer roaming around the island, especially near the tourists. They are known to be messengers from God in Japanese culture, so the townspeople take care of them and make sure they are safe and don't hurt any tourists.)

(The 5-story pagoda in Miyajima)

(Marie and Mom inside of a very old building in Miyajima, next to the 5 story pagoda. Everything in there was made from massive trunks and pillars of wood. It was very impressive!)

(Dad, Marie, and me in front of the shrine gate to Utsukushi Shrine. This shrine is known to be "floating in water" because when the tide comes in, it makes it look as though the whole thing is floating on water. We were there during low tide, but it was still very beautiful and impressive. You can see the gate in the background on your approach to the island as well.)

(Dad, Mom, and me inside the shrine with the gate in the background.)

(Miyajima also features the world's largest wooden rice scoop...I have no idea why they did this...but they have it on display...)

On the 2nd day in Hiroshima we went to the atomic dome and peace memorial museum. It was a very sombering place, and it was a little bit depressing. But the whole park and museum is devoted to peace, and making sure that something as horrible as nuclear warfare and weapons never gets used on anyone again. It was a very educational experience, and the museum was well done. It showcased the history of the city of Hiroshima prior to and during the war, and then explained why the bomb was researched and made and why Hiroshima was chosen to be one of the targets. The exhibit then went to explain what happened at the exact instant the bomb went off, including the 3000C core that explored 600meters above the city. The exhibit then showed the current state of nuclear weapons and which countries have them and the peace agreements that have been signed by various countries not to have or test weapons. It then went on to talk about the aftermath of the bomb, including some artifacts that survived the blast as well as an area explaining the effects of radiation on the human body. It was all depressing, but also educational.

(A memorial honoring those that died due to the bomb. Each year more names are added as those victims die from radiation effects.)

(The atomic dome at the entrance of the Peace Memorial Park)

(The Peace Memorial Museum)

(The Children's Peace Monument. It represents all the children that died because of the bomb. In the little rooms there are 1000s of origami cranes, folded by children around the world. It is based on the true story of Sadako, who died of leukemia after the war, but folded 1000 cranes because of the folklore story that says that if you fold a 1000 origami cranes, you will be happy and healthy again. Sadako eventually died, but finished folding all 1000 cranes.)