Imagine a calm sunny morning when unsuspecting residents of Hiroshima were planning their day, and the city was coming to life.
Out of nowhere in the sky, 500 meters above their heads appeared an explosion never seen before.
Before anyone could raise their head, there was a bright light and a loud bomb blast.
This was back in 1945 and 6 August at 8:15 am local time, to be precise.
I was at this site in October 2023 where one of the few surviving structures stands today.
This one is famous and called the Genbaku or the Atomic Bomb Dome.
The tour guide said that the brilliant flash of light is called the pika, which was followed by a don, a loud booming sound.
The atomic bomb blast threw people across rooms, broke glass windows, and crushed buildings.
As I walked around the dome, a solemn and pensive atmosphere immediately enveloped me.
Even though looking at the building made me feel really bad, the river and parks around it brought some peace.
I will take it forever in my heart.
It was an entirely humbling experience to stand where such terrible events occurred.
The visit left me speechless.
For me, very little time was required to take in the emotions and energy this place was giving off.
When I was there, every single person was quiet.
There were no loud noises, no annoying tourists, just peace, tears, and quiet.
To be able to see the remnants of a massacre of this magnitude is something unique.
The structure’s preservation serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of remembering history’s darker chapters.
The Atomic Dome is a relic of the past and a beacon for the future.
It seems to be urging humanity to choose a path of dialog, understanding, and mutual respect.
Despite its proximity to the center of the atomic bomb explosion, the infrastructure remains remarkably intact since it is largely made of concrete compared to the other buildings back then which were made mainly of wood and thick cardboard.
It is sad to see but the tragic event has been commercialized today in that they sell keychain in the shape of the ruins priced exhorbitantly.
Nevertheless, every person who visits Japan should go to places like this to understand the resilience of this nation.
How to Reach
I took the free hop-on bus from the Hiroshima station using my JR pass and the bus dropped me right outside the entrance to the dome.
Where to Stay
I did not stay in Hiroshima. The entire circuit including time spent at the monuments was around 2 hours.
Tourist Places in Hiroshima
Hiroshima Castle
Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Museum
Atomic Bomb Dome
Orizuru Tower Observation Deck