The trains in Hiroshima are very square and boxy.
"The A-bomb Dome is the ruins of the former Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Promotion Hall which was destroyed by the first atomic bomb ever to be used in the history of humankind on August 6, 1945. The atomic bomb was detonated in the air at an altitude of approximately 300 meters almost right over the hall. The explosion by a single bomb claimed the lives of over 200,000 people and the city area of about 2-km radius was turned into ashes. In order to have this tragic fact known to succeeding generations and to make it a lesson for humankind, the reinforcement work of the ruins has been done by the contributions of many people who desire peace within and out of the country. The ruins shall be preserved forever. August 6, 1967 Hiroshima City"
I'm not transcribing this sign about the dome. It is too long.
This is the A-bomb Dome. It was the closest building to the blast that was somewhat intact. It has been preserved as a reminder.
Close-up of the Dome, with a cat.
Noriko's first appearance in this photo album, by accident in the lower right. She's the cute one facing the camera.
Slightly better picture of Noriko. She seemed a little camera shy. Part of the A-bomb Dome is in the upper right corner.
This is the Children's Peace Monument, in memory of the children who died. The girl on top represents Sadako Sasaki with one of the paper cranes she folded during her struggle with leukemia.
Boy ringing the bell beneath the Children's Peace Monument.
To this day children from around the world (usually as part of a class project) send paper cranes to the monument to be put on display. Look closely at the picture; this is where the cranes end up.
The cranes are replaced regularly with new ones that are shipped in.
Overall shot of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
The Peace Flame has been burning since it was lit in 1964. It will be extinguished when all nuclear weapons have been destroyed. The Peace Memorial Museum forms the background.
Memorial Monumen for Hiroshima, City of Peace (Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims) Erected 6 August 1952 This monument was erected in the hope that Hiroshima, devastated by the world's first atomic bomb on 6 August 1945, would be rebuilt as a city of peace. The epitaph reads, "Let all the souls here rest in peace; For we shall not repeat the evil." It summons people everywhere to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased A-bomb victims and to join in the pledge never to repeat the evil of war. It thus expresses the "heart of Hiroshima" which, enduring past grief and overcoming hatred, yearns for the realization of true world peace with the coexistence and prosperity of all humankind. This monument is also called the "A-bomb Cenotaph," for the stone chest in the center contains the register of deceased A-bomb victims.
A-bomb Cenotaph
Cenotaph with the Peace Flame and A-bomb Dome.
Noriko and i about to enter the museum. It was depressing inside. Everyone asks me if it blamed the US. It did not. Instead of focusing on the war itself, the museum's overall message was that atomic weapons should never be used again.
Inside the museum entrance.
Model of Hiroshima before the blast.
And after.
This famous watch is stopped at 8:15, the time of the blast.
Whenever a nation conducts a nuclear test, the mayors of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki send a letter of protest to that nation's government.
Needless to say, there have been many letters. This was just a small section of the wall of letters.
The Prayer of HIroshima
Another view of the park. The day was appropriately somber.
Some of the cranes made by Sadako Sasaki.
After the museum we met up with Yoshie, one of Noriko's friends. We went to eat okonomiyaki, something which Hiroshima is famous for. That particular food somewhat defies description, but it was quite good.
GIving the peace symbol is very common in photos in Japan. I don't know why. It seems a bit silly.
Random small shrine in Hiroshima.
After food we tried visiting an art museum, but it was too late in the day so the museum was clsed. This sculpture was outside.
Hiroshima skyline.
Japanese style cemetary.
This was in the hotel in Hiroshima. It is a Japanese-style shower room. The entire room is the shower. The tub on the right is not as long as those in the US, but it is much deeper. I wish i had this type of shower room in my apartment in the US.
Noriko's parents live in a traditional Japanese-style home. It is just gorgeous.
Here's the room we sat in.
Noriko wasn't expecting this picture to be taken.
This small shrine was to honor Noriko's sister, who died in childhood. Many Japanese homes have something similar to honor relatives that have already passed away.
Incense beneath the shrine.