On Day 14 I took a one-day side trip from Osaka to Hiroshima via the Shinkansen. Hiroshima is a modern city on Japan’s Honshu Island largely destroyed by an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Today, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. In the park are the ruins of Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that was left standing near ground zero.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is the reason to have Hiroshima on your tour schedule. It is generally well-regarded as a powerful and moving experience. The museum is highly recommended for its comprehensive coverage of the atomic bombings in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, its focus on the human impact, and its role in promoting peace and remembrance. 

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum tackles the why behind the atomic bombing, the devastation it caused, and the efforts toward peace and nuclear disarmament. It achieves this through exhibits that include artifacts, survivor testimonies, and displays on the history of Hiroshima, the impact of the bombing, and the dangers of nuclear weapons. The museum also conveys the message of “No More Hiroshimas”. 

It reminded me of the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem) — a deeply emotional experience.

By the end of 1945, the bombing had killed an estimated 140,000 people in Hiroshima, and a further 74,000 in Nagasaki. In the years that followed, many of the survivors would face leukemia, cancer, or other terrible side effects from the radiation.

Museum Reviews:

• Moving and thought-provoking: The museum is described as deeply moving and thought-provoking, effectively conveying the horrors of the atomic bombing and its lasting impact. 
• Detailed and comprehensive: The museum offers a comprehensive account of the bombing, including artifacts, survivor testimonies, and historical records. 
• Focus on human impact: The museum emphasizes the human stories and experiences of the victims and survivors, helping visitors to understand the personal impact of the tragedy. 
• Effective message of peace: The museum is praised for its clear and powerful message of peace and remembrance, urging visitors to learn from history and strive for a future without nuclear weapons. 

But:

• Some find it too graphic: While the museum is effective in conveying the horrors of the bombing, some visitors may find the displays too graphic or disturbing, particularly for younger children.  Signs all over the exhibits remind parents to keep a close eye on their kids.

Pix 1,2: Ground Zero Pic 3: Hiroshima Tram

Pix: before August 6, 1945 — Not showing the complete devastation aftermath pix