Hiroshima was the first military target of a nuclear weapon in history, on August 6, 1945. Most of Hiroshima was destroyed, and by the end of the year, between 90,000 and 166,000 people had died as a result of the blast and its effects.
We first went to the top floor of Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, overlooking the hypocenter of the atomic blast. From the building’s observation deck, we could see the Genbaku Dome (sometimes called the A-Bomb Dome), the only structure left standing in the area after the blast. The building’s construction, including its concrete walls and steel frame, as well as its location directly below the blast, are believed to explain why part of the structure survived.
The Genbaku Dome is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) that serves as a memorial of the bombing.
Orizuru is a Japanese term referring to a folded paper crane. It is considered the most classic design in Japanese origami and has cultural significance, often symbolizing hope, peace, and healing. Orizuru origami became a symbol of Hiroshima’s recovery after the bombing. On the top floor of the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, we made Orizuru which we placed in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
Tens (hundreds?) of thousands of Orizuru have been made for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
The Peace Memorial was impressive, inspiring, and peaceful.
At the far end of the Peace Memorial Park is the Peace Memorial Museum, which was unbelievable.
We spent more than two hours in the museum, using headphones and an English-language audio guide. I emerged from the museum emotionally drained. I did not take any pictures inside the museum.
I hope we never again see the use of a nuclear weapon.
Wow. That must have been amazing. I have often thought about that memorial when I visit the 9/11 memorial in New York. Did you get the sense that Americans are deemed the villains in Hiroshima? Is there any sense of Japanese accountability? The Germans accept accountability for what happened in Auschwitz at their memorial site. I have really enjoyed seeing all your photos of Japan. It’s almost like a visit to Disneyland—so culturally unlike anything in the USA. I am so glad you finally made it there after all the delays you had in the past trying to visit.