Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two cities devastated in World War II, have become symbols of peace and hope and important places for visitors to learn about the tragic consequences of the atomic bomb.
There are several places in each city that memorialize the destruction, the fortitude of the Japanese people to rebuild their lives, and hope for the future in a world without nuclear war.
These include the actual bomb sites, quiet parks for reflection and museums containing victim testimonies. Some are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and all are emotional to visit – each one a sad warning of the dangers of our nuclear age.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki literally have risen from the ashes of destruction to become beacons of peace and reconciliation, reminding us of the enormous human cost of war and the importance of a world united in peace.
Visit Hiroshima
The A-Bomb Dome
The A-Bomb Dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is the skeleton remnants of the Industrial Promotion Hall, one of the few structures that survived the bomb.
Its preservation, as a UNESCO World Heritage property, serves as a powerful symbol of the city’s dedication to peace, and the center of a complex of memorials.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Located on the site where an atomic bomb detonated on August 6, 1945, killing everything in its path.
The park now includes such moving memorials as the Peace Memorial Museum, the A-Bomb Dome, and the Children’s Peace Monument.
These memorials honor the victims while also serving as a silent reminder of the necessity of peace and nuclear disarmament.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum illustrates the horrors of the atomic bomb and its tragic impact on Hiroshima and its population.
Through exhibitions, antiques, and victim testimonies, visitors gain a comprehensive understanding of the horrible event and its aftermath.
The Children’s Peace Monument
The Children’s Peace Monument, dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, a child atomic bomb victim who got leukemia, signifies a cry for peace and an end to nuclear weapons.
Origami cranes can be folded and left by visitors as a sign of hope and healing for the globe.
The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
This sombre memorial hall, honors the memory of atomic bomb victims and attempts to communicate their tales to future generations.
The Hall is a place of contemplation and commemoration, featuring interactive exhibitions and a survivor testimonials repository.
Hiroshima Castle
Visitors can visit Hiroshima Castle for a moment of peace and to learn about Hiroshima’s pre-war history.
The castle was mostly devastated by the atomic bomb but was after World War II to its former splendour. There are panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.
Find out more about Hiroshima on the Japan Travel official website.
Visit Nagasaki
Nagasaki: From Tragedy to Rebirth
Nagasaki, like Hiroshima, has a Peace Park erected on the site of the atomic bomb, which was dropped three days after Hiroshima, on August 9, 1945.
The park contains the Peace Statue and the Fountain of Peace, plus tributes to victims and campaigners for global peace.
Nagasaki Peace Park
Nagasaki, like Hiroshima, has a Peace Park erected on the site of the atomic bomb that happened on August 9, 1945.
The park contains the Peace Statue and the Fountain of Peace, as well as tributes to victims and those who campaign for global peace.
Located within the Nagasaki Peace Park, this modern museum replaced the Nagasaki International Culture Hall, where artifacts related to the bombing of Nagasaki were originally exhibited.
The museum now includes photographs depicting daily life in Nagasaki before the atomic bomb was dropped, the devastation produced by the bomb, the history of nuclear arms development, and survivor stories.
There is an extensive library, and programs for the study of war and peace in multiple languages.
The Peace Statue
The Peace Statue, which dominates Nagasaki Peace Park, depicts a survivor with an outstretched arm, pleading for peace and the eradication of nuclear weapons. “Rest in Peace,” says the inscription on the statue. The error will not be repeated.”
The Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
Nagasaki, like Hiroshima, features a National Peace Memorial Hall where visitors may hear about the personal tales of people impacted by the atomic bombs.
It is a place of serious introspection and a ray of hope for a peaceful future.
Glover Garden
This is a hillside cluster of Western-style buildings and gardens which provide a look into Nagasaki’s cosmopolitan history.
It demonstrates the importance of foreign traders and their contributions to the growth of the city before to the bombardment.
Nagasaki Chinatown
Visitors may enjoy wonderful Chinese cuisine and cultural events in Nagasaki’s lively Chinatown, one of Japan’s oldest.
Find out more about visiting Nagasaki on the official Japan Travel website.
Thanks to the travel trade magazine Travel & Tour World for providing the basics for this article.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
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