November 2016, part six - Hiroshima

Hiroshima, Monday 6th August 1945, 8:15 AM. At an altitude of about 580 meters in the air, an atomic bomb dropped from an American bomber explodes and immediately leaves about 70,000 dead (a third of the city's population at that time). By the end of the year, approximately 80,000 people have died as a result of radiation exposure. The survivors described a blinding flash and then a huge pressure wave.

Hiroshima after the atomic bomb blast

Over 70% of the buildings in 12 km² are completely destroyed. Some stronger concrete buildings built to withstand earthquakes did not collapse despite being close to the epicenter of the explosion. One such building was the Hiroshima Prefectural Palace to support industry. Designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel, this iconic building serves today as a memento of the atomic bomb and a memorial to peace.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial - Atomic Bomb Dome

In the Hiroshima Museum we had the opportunity to see fearsome dioramas of burned people walking with their hands in front of them, a model of a ruined city to determine the exact location of the explosion and a number of things distorted by the heat of the blast.

The epicenter of the explosion with T-shaped Aioi Bridge which was the main target

It was, of course, a fairly powerful experience when I imagine what it must have been like on the hot summer day that literally turned into hell. Burned people begging for water, but only black rain came from the dust of the atomic mushroom.

Václav Havel in the Peace Memorial Museum

In Peace Park, there is a memorial to the little girl Sadako, who died of the effects of radiation and in the hope of healing made paper origami cranes. These later became a symbol of hope and peace. Around the monument are thousands of them from all over the world in various shapes and colors.

Origami Obama

By the way, Hiroshima is not Chernobyl and today over a million people live here. The city is completely safe, without increased levels of radioactivity. So I recommend visiting it because of history, when one realizes the importance of peace and the terrible consequences of atomic weapons. And also because of the nearby island of Itsukushima, where one can find this peace.

Japanese faith

The dominant religions are Buddhism and Shinto. Buddhism came to Japan in the 6th century from Korea, and after initial obstacles later took over most of the territory. Shinto has roots much deeper, dating back to prehistoric times and stems from respect for natural forces. It later developed to worship of various forms of deity (kami). Some deities are local, others nationwide. They pray to the deities in the sanctuaries to which torii gates serve as a spiritual passages. One of the most remarkable of these gates is in front of the temple on Itsukushima Island (also known as Miyajajima - the "Shrine Island"). The island is about 20 kilometers from Hiroshima, and after a half hour train ride, we reached it in about 20 minutes by ferry.

"Floating" torii gate in front of Itsukushima shrine

It is this place with the passage of time that probably represents the most beautiful thing I have seen in Japan. It was still cloudy before we arrived and during the ferry ride, but when we got at the island itself, the sun came up and we got a wonderful scenery. In spite of the many tourists from the island, the peace and tranquility were still intense, which was further enhanced by the view of the deer resting in the glow of the rays of the autumn sun. The deer are completely accustomed to tourists, they hang around among them and people are enthusiastically taking pictures with them.

Deer siesta

The shore of Itsukushima, the way from pier to shrine

One of the most photographed places in Japan

The temple complex itself, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is very interesting. Built virtually on the pier, it provides a different look at the tides. When we arrived there was a tide and when we left, we could walk on land to the great torii gate. People even drove on small boats to reach the torii itself.

Itsukushima Shrine and the Grand Torii

After visiting the temple, we went to the sacred mountain Misen, which can be reached by cable car or hiking. I went by cable car, although it is still a good walk from the top of Shishi-iva station to the top of the mountain.

First cable car...

...and second cable car

Mount Misen peak is 535 meters above sea level and offers a nice view of the surrounding islands. A flame burns in the Reikado Hall of Fire below Misen Hill peak, which was also used to ignite the eternal flame in Hiroshima Peace Park in 1964.

Buddhists idols below Misen peak

Cable car station and viewpoint called Shishi-iva from the Misen peak

Ema tables with wishes

Miyajima is a unique, almost spiritual experience and a place that should not be missed by any tourist who goes to Japan.


In the video: Romantic scenery with a waterfall and red autumn leaves. Part 7 - Shizuoka.