In the summer of 1945, the Empire of Japan suffered a nuclear attack by the United States, ordered by the President Truman. On August 6, the bomb Little Boy was dropped on the city of Hiroshima and on August 9 the Fat Man bomb on Nagasaki. It is estimated that both nuclear weapons took the lives of 220,000 people. Furthermore,
the effects of radiation on the surviving population caused serious health problems, including numerous cases of fatal cancer.
Cloud after the Hiroshima bomb (left) and Nagasaki (right) .
Getting to Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Once in Hiroshima we can take a train ride to Nagasaki changing at Hakata (about 3 hours).
- From Tokyo: there are direct flights from Tokyo's Haneda airport that take us to Hiroshima and Nagasaki (about 1h45min) but their prices are very high (about 600 euros). A cheaper option is to go by train from Shinagawa Station (Tokyo). We can reach Hiroshima in 3h 40min. and the ticket price is usually around 150 euros.
- From Osaka: from Shin-Osaka Station you can take the Nozomi train that leads to Hiroshima in 80 minutes.
Once in Hiroshima we can take a train ride to Nagasaki changing at Hakata (about 3 hours).
For schedules and train tickets in Japan there is a page that I recommend:
HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima 1945/Hiroshima 2006 ( photo der.: Voogd075 )
Map of the spread of fire caused by the bomb in Hiroshima.
The Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
Location : here.
Tram stop: Genbaku Dome Station.
Virtual Tour of the memorial:
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/frame/Virtual_e/tour_e/guide1.html
The Peace Memorial houses the ruins of the adjacent buildings to the center of the explosion in commemoration to the victims.
Panoramic of Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. (photo: Dean S )
Dome Genbaku before 1945, following the explosion and as it looks today.
Museum Peace Memorial
Location: here .
Tram stop: Fukoromachi / Genbaku Dome
Official Website: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index_e2.html
Opening hours (admission until half an hour before closing):
From 1 March to 31 November : 8:30-18:00
From December 1 to February 28: 8:30 to 17:00
From August 1 to August 31: 8:30 to 19:00
Admission: 50 yen (0.50 euros) This museum covers the history and reconstruction of Hiroshima from 1945 through models, photographs, objects collected from the ruins, etc.
