Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
At 8:15 am on August 6th, 1945, the United States dropped the first ever atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. It is estimated that 140,000 people died within 5 months. The Peace Museum, located at the hypocenter of the detonation, brings to life the horrors of that day and its aftermath. Walking through the main building is both enlightening and very difficult. You pass by charred remains of elementary school uniforms and listen to tragic stories of citizens near the blast. The museum is extremely well done, complete with a peace exhibit with personal hand-written messages from current and past world leaders emphasizing the importance of global peace and cooperation. Later, we sat by the river quietly on a beautiful sunny day.
Okonomiyaki at Hiroshima Station
This meal was on Adam's short-list of things to do in Hiroshima… mission accomplished! Okonomiyaki is a Japanese dish marketed "like Japanese Pizza or Pancakes." Though you can find it throughout much of Japan in different styles, it is a specialty in Hiroshima. These hearty plates are packed with a variety of local favorites, including egg, squid, shrimp, lard, crepes, and more! Even better, the table is set with a small container of Okonomiyaki sauce, which is a mixture of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce.
