Japan Day 4, Hiroshima (AM)

Viewing the A-bomb dome was extremely moving.

We also toured the Peace Park and Museum. I thought the museum was an excellent representation of the reasons the A-bomb was dropped, and the particular reasons Hiroshima was chosen as “the” spot. It was really sobering, especially the aerial photos of the entire city of Hiroshima, flattened, and the stories of those who survived the bombings. (There were still 235,569 hibakusha alive in March 31, 2009.*) I couldn’t help but wonder if the elderly folks who were riding on the trolley or putting flowers in the vases at the peace park had lived through the bombing. It made my heart hurt.