Sera Bekkan

Memorial Cathedral for World...

by ErnieGal

Memorial Cathedral for World Peace . Though already standing at the time of the bomb in 1945, it was almost totally destroyed and the present structure was erected between 1950 and 1954. The main altar, bronze doors, tabernacle, organ, bell and various other articles were provided as special donations from cities around the world in the name of peace. Simply but beautifully furnished, the cathedral impresses a warm tranquility upon all who enter. English Messes are held Sunday at 8:00 am and 2:30 pm.

Peace Park

by Blatherwick

Have you ever been somewhere where tens of thousands of people were incinerated in a second? This is one powerful place. If you didn't think of the implications of nuclear war this place will make you.

The Statue of the A-Bomb Children

by vic&michael

This monument shows bomb victim Sadako on the top, holding a paper crane. Sadako died of leukemia (one of the bomb's radiation after-effects) in 1955. There was an old Japanese tale, that anybody who folds over 1000 cranes will have a wish come true. Sadako folded 642 before she died at the age of 12. For photos of her original cranes, look at my Travelogues.

Now, many many schoolchildren from all over the world visit this monument and pray for world peace. They make 1000 paper cranes and hang them all around the monument.

One of the most meaningful places I've visited

by suhadis

"The city that was wiped out in an instant by Abomb"

Prior coming to Hiroshima, I've only known that it had the history that an A bomb was dropped here during the world war. Ok so my history isn't good at all, but now i've learnt a lot after the trip about that bombing. It's very sad to see how mankind are evil to each other.

Hiroshima is the first place on earth where the first Atomic Bomb was dropped. If you visit the museum you will find all the information there. It will be pointless if I wrote them here, and it will be more meaningful if you visit it. It ONLY costs 50 yen, that's about 50 US cents! No place in the world you could educate yourself with the harsh realities of what has happened here and also the threat of nuclear weapons on the world. There shouldn't be a reason that you cannot visit here.

In terms of city size, Hiroshima isn't large for a city. If you like to walk a lot like me. You could get from the Main train station (Hiroshima JR station) which is pretty on the edge of the city, to the city's A bomb related attractions in less than 30 mins. (I think so that I walked leisurely :P)

"Best combined with a trip to Miyajima"

After seeing the negatives forces and peace endeavours of mankind in Hiroshima, Miyajima is a sanctuary of it's own. A daytrip on the island is really recommended. Visit my Miyajima page for some info. :)

Miyajima

by tompt

" ferry"

To get to the island of Miyajima you have to take a ferry. When we arrived it was low tide and the torii, we heard so much about, was almost on dry land.

" torii"

" pagode"

Cruising in the direction of the pier one can see the pagode very clearly.

" the island"

Walking to the famous torii in the water we passed lots of beautifull statues.

" torii"

It was still low tide and we managed to walk up to the torii.

As we returned in the afternoon the waterlevel was much higher. We tried to walk up to the torii again. The japanese tourist couldn´t believe their eyes and laughed very hard when we returned with wet shorts....

" cablecar"

It is only a ten ( or seven ??!! )minute walk to the cablecar, or ropeway as they call it.

It is a nice walk through a forest, but it is uphill...

Great views on top.