Hiroshima: August 6th

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Saturday August 6th was the 60th anniversary of the Atomic Bomb being dropped on Hiroshima. There were memorials going on all day, and then at night they had a lantern lighting festival. Two of the other English teachers (Heather and Stacey) and I spent the day sightseeing. We started off at the Atomic Bomb Dome, and then wandered through the Peace Park. By the afternoon we were ready to get away from the crowds so we walked to Hiroshima Castle and spent a few hours there. After dinner we made our way back towards the A-Bomb Dome and the river, and participated in the lantern floating ceremony. It was really pretty to see all of the lanterns floating down the river, unfortunately my pictures do not do it justice.

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Photos

Atomic Bomb Dome
This is the Atomic Bomb Dome, or A-Bomb Dome. It is the only original building that has been left standing in Hiroshima since the city was rebuilt 60 years ago.

Atomic Bomb Dome
This is the Atomic Bomb Dome, or A-Bomb Dome. It is the only original building that has been left standing in Hiroshima since the city was rebuilt 60 years ago.

Japanese family praying to Sadako statue
Sadako was the girl who tried to make the 1000 cranes for world peace after the Atomic Bomb. This is the statue in Hiroshima in her honour.

Hiroshima Castle
View of castle entrance

Hiroshima Castle grounds
Stacey, Lisa and Heather

Hiroshima Castle
Front of Hiroshima Castle

It was too hard to resist!
Okay, so when they let you try on "warrior clothes" such as these, I just can't say 'no!'

Warrior Heather
Heather could not resist either!

Lisa and view of Hiroshima
The best part about visiting most of these castles is that there is usually a look-out from the top of them, and they always have the best view of the city.

View of Hiroshima
View of Hiroshima's downtown area from the top of Hiroshima Castle

Lisa
Some of the city's parks are really pretty!

Hiroshima park
Some of the city\'s parks are really pretty!

Aioi Bridge Description
This bridge is next to the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Our lantern
Stacey, Heather, and I pitched in to buy our own lantern for 600 Yen (approx. 6 or 7 $). It is not a very clear picture, but I had to at least show it.

The A-Bomb Dome at night
For this occasion the A-Bomb was surrounded with memorial candles. It was very pretty.

Me stuck on a rock in the river.
Somehow I did not notice that there was a tide coming into the river...needless to say, I had to get my feet wet!

Floating lanterns
I don't have a very good picture of the floating lanterns, but this will give you an idea.