There is no doubt that the most historical and as a result the most popular location in Hiroshima City is the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum. These 2 iconic locations always come up first on everyones agenda when planning a trip to Hiroshima, no matter whether you are Japanese or any other nationality from around the world.
It really is a bucket list location that we all must visit at least once in our lives and especially whilst traveling around Japan. In fact, all Japanese school students must visit Hiroshima and or Nagasaki at least once in their school education as mandated by Japanese law. For this reason, whether you are in Nagasaki or Hiroshima it is more than likely that you will encounter at least one school group at the Peace Park or Atomic Bomb Museum. I have been told numerous times by my clients that it was amazing and beautiful to see the next generations of Japanese youths being educated about the horrors of war and why we should try and attain peace for humanity to thrive.
For me personally, it had been about 6 years between visits to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park but it was just as I had remembered. The main attractions including the Prayer Fountain, Pond of Peace, Peace Flame, Bell of Peace and of course the main monument the Atomic Bomb Dome which is the most famous and iconic image as a result of these 2 devastating Atomic explosions during WW2.
However, what really delighted me, is to see the park being expanded and many more public spaces being created. The vibe and atmosphere of the area now is very different and the 2 separate parks have definitely improved the overall concept and image of the City. It is not just a sad and depressing place where contemplation of humanity is fore-front in every visitors minds but an area where vision and a strong, vibrant and positive future can be visualized by everyone. It is for these reasons that you could easily spend 2 or 3 hours just in the parks let alone the Peace Memorial Museum.
Our professional guides will be able to show you all the main sights both on and off the beaten track to leave you fully satisfied at days end.
Please check out the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on the map below:
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The peace fountain
It's a very iconic view
The eternal flame
Always many school children
A place to contemplate
The peace bell
Lots of info to digest
The atomic dome
Close up
Powerful images are everywhere
So much to see
The symbol of Hiroshima
Entrance to the Museum
A place for all to enjoy
Main entrance
Please check out these videos below to see more of the Hiroshima Peace memorial Park:
Of course when one thinks about the Nagasaki Peace Park Statues, the main one that comes to mind is the sculpture by Seibo Kitamura of the human being with one hand pointing to the sky whilst sitting cross legged and eyes closed shut. Nagasaki Peace Park is synonymous with this awe inspiring statue.
Indeed this is a powerful and internationally known symbol associated with the Nagasaki Atomic Explosion but one of my favourite things to do is to walk peacefully through the Peace Park and look at the tens of sculptors and statues that have been donated by Organizations and Countries from around the world as a symbol of hope and peace for the future.
They are all special in their own way and of course one's imagination and feelings of sorrow come through with each viewing yet at the same time they give hope for the future. In this way they cause the statues to come alive and speak to us in a private way because everyone needs hope and want to leave the earth in a better way for the future generations.
If you ever have a chance to visit Nagasaki for yourself I implore you to do the same and come to the Nagasaki Peace Park Statues. It will be a surreal if not highly moving experience and one that you will never forget, especially the viewing of the Mother and Child Statue which really hits you at your core of compassion and empathy. It is this symbol of sorry and regret that must be remembered so that the weak and innocent are protected no matter what and in all situations of conflict around the world.
Come and check out the Nagasaki Peace Park Statues below on a map:
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Strength in Numbers
Whisked away by angels
A popular but haunting photo
Mother and child
Water is a big part of the exhibition
The date and time of that horrific day
Please click out the Nagasaki Peace Park statues here on this video:
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The Nagasaki Peace Park Main Statue is usually only viewed from one angle, that being from a straight on view but I decided to take another approach and see it was a different viewpoint. A quick little walk around the back of the statues really does offer a completely opposite visual reference.
Of course the normal view of the Nagasaki Peace Park main statue is a powerful one, undeniably a moving experience and packed with sorrow but at the same time hope for the future. The reverse side however holds all the above but also in addition there is a feeling of doubt that mankind and humanity can actually learn from its mistakes and not go down that narrow windy path of devastation that the nuclear arms race has headed in the past and still does to some degree in this age of the 21st century.
I am not sure if these feelings creeped up on my from my subconscious or whether it was because of the positioning of the sun and the dark images that resulted in my feelings of doom and gloom but it is something that we all should and need to feel once in a while to face reality to keep everything at face value and in check.
A special and important place for everyone to visit in their lifetime.
Please see the Nagasaki Peace Park Statue on the map below:
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Amazing silhouette
Imposing figure
The sun was at a perfect angle
Another angle
Message
Click on the video link below to see more of Nagasaki Peace Statue:
Nagasaki Peace Park was born from the infamous day forever etched into history and the minds of those associated with this disaster. The death toll was 74,000 people, with another 75,000 suffering injuries. Within a 1 kilometer radius of the hypocenter almost 90% of the people died. Burns caused by the heat rays of the atomic bomb were severe, with the surface skin being completely burned and falling off thus leaving tissue and bone exposed. People were thrown by the force of the blast and countless pieces of glass and other debris pierced their skin. The radiation penetrated deep into people's bodies causing them to suffer injuries and diseases such as cancer and leukemia to this very day.
Remnants of the Urakami Cathedral
The original target for the bomb was the city of Kokura but obscuring clouds necessitated changing course to the alternative target, Nagasaki. However because of poor visibility due to cloud cover the bomb missed its intended detonation point which was the Mitsubishi Shipyards and exploded over the suburban area of Urakami, in effect killing mostly women and children and not the factory manufacturing area of War Machinery. In many ways it is this misfortune that will label Nagasaki forever in history!
Nagasaki Peace Park today is a very peaceful place to stroll about and reflect on this frightening event in mankind's history. Let's hope that the mistakes of the past are never repeated again and the world can live peacefully without Nuclear threats of destruction. A walk around this solemn but special place always provides me with the strength and resolve that the mistakes of the past happen again and we should always do everything humanly possible to make this happen as a human race.
Our private Nagasaki Tours will finish the day here at the Nagasaki Peace Park as its a great place to fully reflect on what a great day was had.
Check out the Nagasaki Peace Park on this map below:
Symbol of Peace
Haunting image of Mother and Baby
Please have a look at the video below to see more of the Nagasaki Peace Park:
One of the best things about the Nagasaki Peace Park is that no matter how many times you have been here, each time is different. I can`t count how many times I have visited the Peace Park. Each time I do something interesting and amazing always catches my eye and makes me think that this place really is really something special and needs to be cherished and appreciated by all.
On my last visit I came upon a School Trip by High School students. I didn`t ask where they were from as they were being escorted in a rather militaristic fashion but in perfect unison and very orderly and with quiet aplomb and respect for all the people around them. I would be very surprised if an Australian High School field trip would be as orderly as this one and i would hazard a guess that there would have been quite a bit more yelling and mucking around even in such an important and sombre place.
Nearly every Japanese child from Elementary School to High School has either visited Hiroshima or Nagasaki Peace Parks during their schooling years. The education departments and the schools themselves see it an a rather important part of their schooling and to learn from the pages of Japanese history first hand.
On this recent visit i couldn't help but wonder what these High Schooler`s were feeling inside. Whether they could fully fathom what happened here 70 years ago or whether it was just a normal regular place and they were rather bored and wanted to get this experience over and done with. I am pretty sure the next time I have a change to see and interact with a school trip I will ask some of these pertinent questions.
