Hiroshima... I think, for any American, a visit there comes with a certain amount of unease - whether realized or not. Is it proper to even visit such a place with the history left from WWII and the Bomb? How will the local citizens view us? Am I overreacting altogether???
I don't think I was anxious beforehand, but as soon as stepping from the train, I felt it - ableit mildly. Were people staring? Were they going to be friendly? However, these feelings passed quickly as people smiled and welcomed us at the hotel, restaurants and museums without so much as a second glance. Yep, I was overreacting.
No matter how many museums I visited or monuments I saw, its still hard to get my head around the devastation that happened there. To see that city now and think that just over 60 years ago, 150,000 - 200,000 people, the majority of its population, died suddenly or within weeks after the Atomic Bomb - while the city infrastructure was leveled in one morning - defies all imagination.
My take-away from the visit was that the city now is a credit to everyone, both inside and outside of Japan, who played a role in its rebuilding.
Today, it is a beautiful city full of activity, commerce and warm people. There are urban parks and open spaces (a rarity in many Japanese cities), beautiful river fronts full of cafes, bike paths and high-end residences and a downtown full of everything from a Gucci store next to a mom-and-pop yakitori stand to a modern baseball stadium and the International Peace Park.
Hiroshima is a keeper. Great city and worth another visit someday!
Our other day there led us to Miyajima Island, a beautiful natural wonder about 1/2 mile off the coast of Hiroshima (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The island is known as the "resting place of the gods" due to its natural beauty and peacefulness. It felt like we'd left the 21st century and entered an old Japanese village - with deer and monkeys raoming freely on the streets. There are ancient shrines, pagodas, the famous Otorii Gate and village merchant shops along the shoreline, while at the top, Mt. Misen is home to ancient Buddhist temples surrounded by medevial forests and fantastic views of the Seto Inland Sea. We explored the island for hours and I now know why the Buddhist monks liked to retreat here for meditation and enlightenment. You'd have to be downright evil not to feel the peace and tranquility as you climb its trails and take long views of the sea and mountains in the distance.
Great trip!
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