Hiroshima, Japan

The first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is that this is where the first atomic bomb was dropped August 6, 1945 at 8:15 in the morning. Surprisingly, as much as I didn’t like Tokyo and surrounding areas, I did like Hiroshima and outlying areas.  We started our day here with a ride on the bullet train. With its sleek, pointed handcrafted nose we shot past Japanese country side doing 285 mph. I didn’t get any pictures - couldn’t auto focus that fast. Much of the trip was through tunnels. I guess you don’t want to blow by Main St. doing 285.  The 44 kilometer trip took us all of 13 minutes. They allow one minute for boarding at each station, so you better have your ditty bag in hand and be ready to step aboard when it arrives. The ride itself is very smooth and quiet.  Even the train station was interesting. The station and many of the sidewalks have yellow bumpy, slotted lines for blind people to run their cane along. We disembarked in Iwakuni where saw the Kintal Bridge, one of the three famous bridges of Japan. We strolled through Kikko Park, former home of the feudal lord Kikkawa. The shrine and grounds were quite attractive. A more traditional area than we had seen so far in Japan. There were cherry and apricot trees in bloom. The guide said they call their first child the apricot child, as the apricot tree is the first to bloom every spring. On to our classic Japanese meal. Jim loved and ate everything but the chopsticks. Me, I couldn’t quite do the sesame seed tofu or pumpkin tempura. I might have past up a couple of other dishes had I known what they were, but it was quite an elaborate spread. From there it was on to the Bomb Dome and Peace Park where we rang the “Peace Bell”. (Pictures above)The Bomb Dome was the only building that survived the blast that destroyed downtown Hiroshima. It was fascinating to hear the guide tell stories about the blast as told to her by her grandparents, who lived in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped. Within the first few months of the bombings, the effects of the bomb killed 100,000–200,000 people in Hiroshima, depending on whose numbers you use. Amazingly, they seem more focused on what they were able to rebuild since then. I guess what choice do you have but to rebuild and move forward. She explained that in Japan, they introduced themselves last name first, then your first name. In writing addresses they start with the country, then state, city on down to the street. All I can say is as much as I didn’t like Tokyo, Hiroshima was a blast. Sorry about that– that was in poor taste.  Seriously, this was a worthwhile and educational stop – a thought provoking visit in many ways.  The more you see the terrible after effects of war, any war, the more you realize that there has to be a better way to resolve conflicts between countries.              Konbanwa (Japanese for good evening)