Japan: Day 3 (Hiroshima - Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Yelling Restaurant)

On Day 3, we took the Bullet Train (~180 mph) to Hiroshima. It was roughly a 7 hour train ride which included travel time and layovers at stations: Narita --> Tokyo --> Osaka --> Hiroshima. The Japan Rail system is very slick - very punctual and easy to use. There are workers that sell snacks and beverages on the trains, and they bow before and after leaving the train...so cute! Btw, the customer service in Japan is great - they are very friendly and courteous.

Once arriving in Hiroshima, we took a bus to Peace Memorial Park and Museum. The museum was very sad. Many tourists, especially Japanese tourists, are still devastated by that one day (as they should be). I found myself looking at the tourists' reaction more than the museum...and thinking that God does not intend for hatred and war.

***

The world's first atomic bombing took place at 8:15 AM, August 6, 1945. A single atomic bomb reduced the city of Hiroshima to a plain of burned rubble. When the bomb exploded, it is thought that 350,000 persons were in Hiroshima...By the end of December 1945, approximately 140,000 died.
***

Hiroshima, before the atomic bomb.

Hiroshima, after the atomic bomb.

***

A-Bomb Dome in Peace Memorial Park. This is one of few structures that "survived". The building serves as a memorial to the people who died and has been restored.
***

We walked the streets of Hiroshima after visiting the memorials. For dinner, we ate at a cute restaurant - they yelled, "Welcome, Welcome" (we think) after someone entered the restaurant.