Hotel Crystal Hiroshima

Toshogu Shrine was built by...

by ErnieGal

Toshogu Shrine was built by Asano Mitsuakira in honor of the famous Edo period shogun (load) Tokugawa Ieyasu. Though mostly destroyed by the atomic bomb, portions of the original structure did survive, but were left leaning 10 centimeters to the north.

Nihon Sankei - Miyajima

by radiantb

For many centuries, the people of Japan have been designating the best and most beautiful places and events in their country: there are Japan's top three gardens, Kyoto's top five Zen temples, Japan's top three festivals featuring floats, Kamakura's top ten wells and countless other rankings.

Most famous among the many designations are probably Japan's three most scenic places (nihon sankei). Selected several centuries ago, they consist of Matsushima, Miyajima and Amanohashidate.

Deer move around the island freely, and so do monkeys on top of Misen, the island's highest mountain.

It is most famous for Itsukushima Shrine, which, together with its large wooden torii (gate), stands in the ocean during high tide. At low tide, you'll be able to walk right up to the Torii gate. Magnificent!

There are other interesting places to visit on the island. You can choose to cycle or walk. There is a momoji park (maple leaf) and you'll be able to buy tasty snacks shaped in maple leafs from the many souvenir stores.

Its truly a beautiful place to visit.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

by ClareyD

The museum tells of the message of peace from Hiroshima. It starts with a timeline of events through to the bombing at 8:15am on 6th August 1945. There are models that show the area before and after that show the power of the first atomic bomb and the effects it had on the city.

The next section explains the history of atomic weapons and there is a globe that shows where and how many known atomic weapons there are in the world today.

Finally and we found the most disturbing is the area that tells individual's stories with various possessions including watches and clothing that really tells you the personal horrors suffered by the people of Hiroshima on and after the bombing.

The museum is open 9am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm) December to April, first two weeks in August till 7pm and the rest of the year till 6pm (last admission 5.30pm). Admission is only 50 Yen and you can get an audio guide in 17 languages available for 300 Yen, but we found that this was not required if you speak English as the information is both in Japanese and English.

Out of Tokyo and Into History

by kevin407

"The Inescapable History"

Growing up during the cold war Hiroshima has always been recognizable as the place where the first Atom bomb was dropped to end the war. But its not that simple…

On August 6, 1945 at 8:15 in the morning an American plane flew over Hiroshima and dropped a nuclear bomb on the city. The bomb blast killed 66,000 people instantly and destroyed the center of the city for a two-kilometer radius. By the end of the year it is estimated that 140,000 people had died, most from radiation sickness. In subsequent years that figure has risen to 200,000 people. Today there are still people suffering the effects of radiation sickness.

But the war did not end. Three days later the Americans dropped a second bomb on the Japanese city Nagasaki. Still the war did not end.

Five days later, on August 14, the Japanese surrendered with only one condition – they be allowed to keep their emperor.

And here begins the controversy. Many believe it was not necessary to drop the bomb at all –

"More History - if you are interested"

May 1945 - The war in Europe ends with the collapse of Berlin (two months before the bombing of Hiroshima).

May 26 – The Americans firebomb Tokyo. The resulting fire burns for two days killing more people than both atomic bombs.

July 21 – During the Potsdam conference in Europe where Allies are deciding the fate of Europe, the Americans send Japan an ultimatum “Quit the war or face total destruction.”

July 29 – Japan rejects the American Potsdam Ultimatum

August 6 – Americans drop the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima

August 8 – Japan attempts to negotiate peace through Russia. Molotov, the Russian head of state, refuses to meet with the Japanese. Instead Russia declares war on Japan and invades Manchuria and North Korea.

August 9 – Americans drop the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki.

August 10 – The Soviets continue to advance in Korea and invade the island of Sakhalin.

August 14 – Japan surrenders unconditionally to the Americans (except they keep the emperor).

"Even More History - the arguments"

The argument against dropping the bomb is as follows. By August America had destroyed most of Japan’s military and industrial infrastructure. With the firebombing of Tokyo - America had already demonstrated its ability to implement the Potsdam Ultimatum of total destruction. Also by the time of the Potsdam Ultimatum it was well understood within America that keeping the emperor was the only condition Japan was seeking. The peace seekers in Japan needed this concession to oust the military leaders and to give the people of Japan a reassurance that their culture would remain despite defeat. Culturally it was impossible for Japan to contemplate the destruction of its emperor. People believe that if the Potsdam Ultimatum had made it clear that Japan could retain her emperor – it would have been accepted. Its an attractive prospect because had it been accepted, the bombs would not have been used, but even better Russia would not have declared war, would not have invaded Korea – and maybe the Korean war of the 50’s would have been avoided.

Still others believe the Japanese did not consider the Potsdam Ultimatum seriously. That it did not exclude the retention of the emperor. That in fact the Japanese signed the same agreement offered at Potsdam on August 14. The argument continues that the August 14 acceptance was only the result of the destruction of the bombs and the elimination of Russia as a negotiating partner after the declaration of war on August 8 and the subsequent invasions. Remember that no one knew (not even Russia) that America had only two bombs. For all the Japanese knew America had hundreds of nuclear bombs – at least as many used in the Tokyo firebombing.

JAPAN IN BRIEF

by GenkiMac

"Things you may come across in your wanderings.."

Geisha, or are they...??
Wandering through the streets (particularily in Kyoto) you will spot Geisha, except that these are not the real thing. (You realise this when you see a strange looking one and on closer inspection it turns out to be a foreigner!)
It obviously makes for a good reminder to go home with a photo of yourself in traditional dress so it is becoming more popular with both Japanese girls and foreigners.
The local Japanese people are not happy about it as they believe the way the imitators act let down the Geisha image which is one of decorum and feminity.
I personally believe that it will help boost tourism as the "Geisha" whether behaving appropriately or not are adding an old world atmosphere to a Japan which is gradually disappearing amoung big constuction projects and a growing population.
Just a word of warning if dressing up -don't chew gum, smoke cigarettes or try to "run" in the kimono and you will receive a better reception from the residents and Japanese tourists.

"Like a tree hospital!"

This meaning was more difficult to find out as most Japanese didn't know why their trees were "bandaged".
It is for protection against bugs. The bugs which attack the trees in the warmer seasons get trapped in the wrapping and the tree grows healthy and strong underneath. The wrapping is then removed and burned. Maybe this isn't as unusual as I thought as I just saw the same thing recently in South Korea.

"A common sight...."

"Cosy!"

It's not vandelism- the bonnets and mickeymouse bibs are supposed to be there! This I also asked many people as to why and they didn't know. When you grow up with something it becomes the norm I guess.
As far as I can gather (my life is often one big communication problem!)these buddahs and stones are protectors of the child. Both for the children who have died or the unborn and those who their parents want them to grow strong and healthy. This picture above is of someone who came before Budddah.

"Paper trees?"

Because there arn't many rubbish bins in Japan????
Actually there arn't!..but the reason for this garbage tree is people hoping for their fortunes to come true or I guess if it is a bad one then hoping it wont come true!
At most Shrines (It's a Shinto thing) you can buy yourself a fortune- don't try unless you have a friend who can read Kanji!- and there are 4 or 5 levels of fortune from thte good to bad. You don't take it home but instead you either find the nearest tree or there are designated places to tie them to.

"The Obaachans (old women)"

It's a myth that you are ever too old to work! This picture isn't such a good example but Japan is run by people who look like they should be in their grave! The granparents run the households and look after the kids and the old people rule in government. You will also have never seen people get closer to the ground while still walking as you do in Japan. Many old women use prams to keep themselves balenced while walking. A mixture of too much work in the fields and a bad diet during the war years I imagine.

"Funky Buddah"

I guess if they want to make the buddah funky they are allowed! This is at the Daishoin temple on Miyajima.
I don't know if there is any reason for this??
I think it's pretty cool!

"The P*N*S!"

This is in Tokyo when some girlfriends took me to a fertility festival! By stroking another black ceramic phalic piece I would put myself in with a good chance to become fertile.. so the saying goes.
This event was interesting but
not really my cup of tea! We wandered around the temples museum (the temple is dedicated to fertility!) and it was more like a pornographic museum!
We stopped briefly to look at the only piece which seemed safe, it was a lovely iron seated woman figure, fully clothed and looking very peaceful, at this stage an old woman comes running up to us and helpfully turns the big heavy statue over so we could see her bare backside and female parts. We split fairly shortly after this- we should have known she wasn't as innocent as she looked!
There were sculpters carving you can guess as I can't write the p word out of long Japanese vegetables and old woman selling statues of couples taking it from all positions known to man! There were lollies representing both male and female genitalia and the large pink p thing in the photo was being bumped down the street in a large procession by the time we left!
Only in japan is a common phrase which comes to mind when I think about that day.....

"Japanese and their cars!"

You will see some odd vehicles around and this is one of them. I reckon this looks straight out of a cartoon but there are people around who obviously think this is pretty cool!
One of my Japanese girlfriends once said to me "If you bump into one of those cars don't stop just keep on driving!" this surprised me as she is a real sweety but when she explained how seriously these people take their handiwork it did sound like you wouldn't want to be hanging around!.. Just a thought for those with rental cars!

"Family"

A typical family in the Japanese country side is made up of as many generations as are still alive. The elderly never seem to retire and still do as much physical and mental work as any of their children. The parents are able to return to work earlier after having babies, as the grandparents who work in the ricefields play the part of baby sitter. Many Japanese children grow up knowing their grandparents in a way many of us in Western societies never do.