Japan- 5 must visit places of Hiroshima!!!

The moment I hear about Hiroshima city, the atomic bombings of 6th Aug 1945 during World War II flashes in my mind. When I was kid, I still remember there was lengthy chapter in my history book on atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, how both the cities were turned into ashes, one of the blackest day of mankind.

I am preferably a solo traveler. I went on a solo trip of Japan covering Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. I traveled in the month of Nov, which is an autumn season in Japan. The season is famous for its colourful autumn leaves, perfect time to watch vibrant colours of leaves with shades of orange, red, yellow and brown. As Nov is onset of winter, the temp is very pleasant. But days get shorter, generally sunset is around 5PM, so you need to plan your day accordingly.

Experience was amazing, memories to cherish for lifetime. Japan is culturally very rich, people are very warm. Though, they are not conversant with english, but still they’ll go extra miles to help you.

I still couldn’t believe I traveled to Hiroshima, the place which I always wanted to go since my childhood. The day I landed there, I was awestruck by its vivacity, couldn’t believe this was the city which was totally devastated in the bombings. It looked as if, it rise like a phoenix from the ashes, more stronger than ever before. Whole city was so beautiful. Perfect example of never die human spirit.

90c5925e-2ff9-4311-85af-7c098b60c7ec — ***Photograph yourself in beautiful background***

How to reach

Easiest way to reach Hiroshima is directly fly to the city, it has Hiroshima Airport or you can travel by Shinkanesen as well. I was staying in Tokyo, I travelled via Shinkansen and if you have Japan Rail Pass , you will have the easiest of rides 🙂 🙂

Hiroshima is 804 km from Tokyo. In a single day I travelled whopping more than 1600 Km, all thanks to Japan’s Shinkansen 🙂 🙂

41881315-1e83-48e1-a8c4-03b68b8678c0 — ***The Shinkansen(Bullet Train)***

There are direct Nozomi trains to Hiroshima from Tokyo, which takes about 4 hours. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Nozomi trains, it’s only valid on Hikari and Sakura trains. By Hikari and Sakura trains, it takes about 5 hours with a transfer of trains at Shin-Osaka Station.

2bdbb756-9bad-462f-a0dd-dbf52061d3bd — ***Enjoy bestest of Shinkansen journey***

After coming out from the station, you can board JR-operated Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Buses, which serves all of Hiroshima’s major sightseeing attractions. There are three routes: the orange, green and lemon routes with buses every hour. These buses are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, you can board them without waiting for ticket queue. The buses have stops to all major sight seeing spots.

***Inside of bus with sightseeing information***

Apart from these buses, Hiroshima has Japan’s largest tram network. You can travel by them as well, but Japan Rail Pass is not valid on trams.

If you are planning a trip to Hiroshima these are definitely must visit places.

Atomic Bomb Dome

A UNESCO World Heritage Site commonly called as Genbaku Dome. This is only structure left standing near the bomb’s hypocenter.

***Ruin of Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall***

***Hall serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing***

The skeletal remains of the building were preserved as a memorial of the bombing and a symbol of peace.

***Over 70,000 people were killed instantly and another 70,000 suffered fatal injuries from the radiation***

***Represents*** ***survival from destructive force***

It was included in the UNESCO list as a symbol of survival from an atomic bomb and first use of nuclear weapons on a human population.

***Included as UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996***

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Memorial park dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, and to the memories of the bomb’s victims.

***Built in the memory of the victims of the nuclear attack*** of ***August 6, 1945***

***The Peace Flame dedicated to bomb victims. The flame has burned continuously since 1964, and will remain lit until all nuclear bombs on the planet are destroyed.***

***Beautiful area around Peace Memorial Park***

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

A must visit. Museum has displays belonging left by the victims, photos, and other materials that convey the horror of the atomic bombings.

The moment you enter you can see media exhibit “White Panorama” that shows a computer graphic recreation of the moment when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima

***Nuclear Attack Impact- Before and After of Atomic Bomb Dome***

***Miniature models of the Atomic Bombs- “Fat Man” dropped on Nagasaki and “Little Boy” dropped on Hiroshima***

***Display of impact of atomic bomb on glass bottle***

***Picture of memento marbles donated by Yukimi Matsuda***

***Uniform of a junior high school student. School uniform donated by Shigeharu Fukuoka. Cap and belt donated by Kurakichi Tsuda and gaiters donated by Kiyo Ueda.***

***Many of the victims clothes on display are soiled, have parts ripped off by the*** ***impact*** ***of blast***

***Every belongings on display has a story which reflects the pain and sufferings of the victims***

Wars in any form is not good for humanity.

Hiroshima Castle

Castle was built in 1589, it was the home of Hiroshima feudal lords. The castle was destroyed by the atomic bombing on 6th Aug 1945, it was rebuilt in 1958, now it serves as museum of Hiroshima’s history. I had just a day, couldn’t visit it.

Miyajima Island

The island less than hour from Hiroshima. There are frequent ferries to the island. JR pass is valid on JR ferries. It is famous for its floating gate. Island is one of the most scenic spots in Japan. Due to limited time was not able to visit the island.