Sweet Dropper in Japan, day 7
July 24, 2009
Friday, July 24: Our Japan Rail passes expire today (if you come to Japan, you really ought to look into this inexpensive way to use a super-fast, clean and effecient rail system–like nothing in America), so we scheduled a trip to Hiroshima–a bit over two hours by Shinkansen rail line. It was another overcast and drizzly day, but not enough to need to open the umbrella. Of course you know what one comes to see in Hiroshima. We visited Peace Memorial Park and the A-bomb Dome and the museum which chronicles in excruciating detail the history of the city, the war policies that led up to the dropping of the bomb, the immediate and long-term effects of the bomb on the people and environment, and the rebuilding of the city. I cannot yet put into words how sobering it is to stand on the t-shaped bridge that was the target of the first nuclear attack in human history. The Enola Gay crew didn’t miss by much, as the bomb detonated about 100 yards away and 600 yards above the city. Any serious student of World War II (and I am not one…my interests are still 19th century) ought to visit Hiroshima.
After seeing all the A-bomb history, it’s hard to be a lively, enthusiastic tourist, so we didn’t see much after that. I’m kicking myself for passing on the opportunity to buy that box of huge smoked oysters on a stick, vacuum-packed and ready to come back to the U.S. (Hiroshima is famous for its oysters, I’m told).
