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Hiroshima was the first city in History to have an A bomb dropped on it. The American bombers dropped the bomb on the August 6, 1945. The bomb exploded 500 meters in the air, so never actually hit the ground. Up until then Hiroshima was one of the only cities in Japan not to receive any bombings during WW II, until that eventful day that is. The bombers used an area where two bridges met that formed a T shape as their target.
The A bomb dome building, the only building in the area that was left to remind the people of the world what a terrible thing happened here. You can see from the photos the before and after shots of the building. Everybody in the building that day died.
Hiroshima was a relatively new city at the time of the bombing. Many structures were only about 20 years old at the most. The Americans had picked out 17 cities in all to bomb in Japan, then they chose 7 cities from that list, and then decided on Hiroshima as their target because the felt they had no Allied forces held pensioners of war there. The sad thing
A Bomb Dome after
Let's hope this never happens again was a number of Koreans were living in forced labour camps at the time and they too perished. The people of Hiroshima have installed a monument to the memory of those Koreans who died. We really should get rid of all nuclear weapons in the world.
Well enough of the history lesson. Other then the peace park and the A bomb dome we went to see Hiroshima castle and a beautiful garden called Shukkeien. Both the castle and the garden were destroyed by the bomb. The city rebuilt them both.
We also travelled to an Island just outside Hiroshima, called Miyajima. The island is considered by the Japanese to be 1 of the 3 most scenic places to visit. There are no graveyards or maternity hospitals on the island as no one is allowed to be born or to die on the island. There is a floating Torii or gate at the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine. It only appears to float when the tied is in, so you will need to catch it then to get the full effect. As well as the shrine, there is a beautiful 5 story pagoda. Resplendent in red it towers
Mangled Metal
You could imagine how hot it was to do this. over the shrine. Many wild dear wander free around the island. It is best to avoid them as they have been known to bite. You will see many warning signs dotted around the ferry terminal.
On a short walk to the rope way to reach the top of the Mount Misen we discovered s SNAKE!!! It was happily lying in the sun minding it's own business. Thrust me to stop in that one spot to take a picture. We couldn't see which end was which, it was only the middle bit that we could see. We were out of there like a shot. After are long, okay not long,short assent over protected trees we made it to the first station, where we had to change from a small 4 seater carraige to a bigger crowded one. It didn't bod well to get on and read a sign that said, it this stops do not panic,do not panic, are they mad? We had to stand up on the way over, which was okay as we couldn't really see too much. I was just willing it to get to the other side. Imagine if an earthquake happened when you were on
The city before the A bomb
You can see the T shape the bridges make that. It doesn't bare thinking about.
The view was spectacular on the other side. I had to put my bag in a locker first due to the fact there were evil monkeys loitering around waiting to grab anything they could get their hands on. Luckily enough we didn't see one monkey on our walk up the mountain. We set out to see the temples at the other end of the trail. The hike was a little scary because at some points there were sheer drops. We eventually made it to the temples. There is an eternal flame that burns in one of the temples. It has been burning for 1200 years. This is where the flame for the torch in the peace park was taken from. I lit a candle in memory of my mum. It was a little scary heading back down the mountain. Once we had got out over the first bit I was fine, I thought there would be a big drop.
We had our first real experience of Japanese food in Hiroshima. I was glad I could speak a little Japanese in the first place we went to eat in, as the girl behind
The City after the A Bomb
200,000 people died here. the counter did not speak English. Then again why should she she is Japanese. I ordered shredded beef with rice and Miso soup. It was really nice, but when I upload my picture I will look as if I don't like it. Phil had shredded pork.
The next evening after our visit to the garden and castle we went to a place to eat beside our hotel. Know this was an experience. We had to pay for our dinner by selecting what we wanted in a vending machine first. Then you get a ticket and bring it to the counter. Our food was ready in minutes. Fab!!! Now that's service.
There are vending machines everywhere on the street in Japan. You can by alcohol and cigarettes and soft drinks. It is a bit of a smokers paradise here.
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