Peace

After talking to people the day before we found out that its pretty much a national holiday in the middle of August for the Oban festival. So spent some time sorting out places to stay.

A nice bakery by the hostel, where I got my first bacon.

Said goodbye to some new friends, one we planned to meet later, and off we went to Hiroshima.

Got off the train and got a tram back the way we just came.

The place of stay here was a Ryoken style hotel, right by the Peace park.

We started our Park tour on the east side by the very real Atomic bomb dome, a building that has not been torn down or rebuilt since it was hit, but left as a reminder. We entered the actual park from the north entrance where the T shaped bridge is. As we entered there was a Seiko clock that tolls at 8:15am everyday. This was followed by the peace bell, that they ask people to strike to wish peace. As we headed south through the park there were several demonstrations and displays calling for peace. Next up was the displays of paper cranes made by school children. Another stand showing newspaper pages of the time. South still and they were setting up for the next annual peace meeting due after we left. Just by the peace museum demonstrators were just beginning their march, thousands carrying flags they set off through the streets. We entered the peace museum. I don’t think that this is something easily put into words, it is one of the most overwhelming experiences I have seen in a long time. If you ever find yourself over this way I would suggest visiting.