Hiroshima
(March 20 and 21)
Back on the Shinkansen from Himeji to Hiroshima. We arrived in the early afternoon, so after checking in, we went to visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is located on a small island just outside the city. It's also a World Heritage Site.
The shrine is at the back in this picture, but from the water, the large water gate is the most obvious sign of the shrine.
The water gate is surrounded by water when the tide is high, but at low tide, tourists and genuine pilgrims crowd around it. We were satisfied with a selfie taken from dry land.
The shrine is also surrounded by water when the tide is high, but when we were there, the tide was out.
The rest of the island is devoted to selling food and trinkets to the many visitors who come to see the shrine.
Octopus on a stick
It was a rather chilly day and we didn't really fancy any of the food that was for sale, so we headed back to the hotel.
Next day, we walked to the Peace Memorial, which is where the first Atomic Bomb was dropped in 1945.
The A-Bomb Dome was one of the very few building to survive the bombing. It is was originally an Industrial Promotion Hall but is now also know as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
The Cenotaph for the A-Bomb victims.
Built in 1952, it contains the names of all known victims of the explosion. Names continue to be added each year
The Flame of Peace was first lit in 1964 and has burned continuously ever since.
It will continue to burn until there are no more nuclear weapons left on earth.
Next to the Peace Park is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum was opened in 1955 and has been renovated and updated twice since then. It contains sections devoted to the history of the area before the bomb was dropped and exhibits of personal artifacts owned by victims of the explosion.
Clothing and personal items owned by victims of the bomb
A child's tricycle. One assumes the owner did not survive.