You are standing before the Yamagata Toyotaro Statue. Look closely, it’s a bronze figure of a distinguished man in a flight suit, a wistful expression gracing his face. This statue, erected in 1956, stands as a tribute to the pioneer of Japanese aviation, Yamagata Toyotaro. He was a citizen of Hiroshima and began his aviation journey as early as 1918. Toyotaro’s passion led him to found a flight school in 1915 when he was just 27 years old. However, tragedy struck when he was just 31 years old. In 1920, while in the midst of delivering vital supplies for the military, his plane sadly crashed. This statue serves as a poignant reminder of Toyotaro’s contributions to the development of Japanese aviation and the enduring legacy of his courage and dedication. He was a pioneer pushing forward the boundaries of flight, a trailblazer in the world of aviation who, even in death, continues to inspire generations to come.
芸州廿日市御本陣旧跡
“A castle built on the plain?” you might ask. “Isn’t that a bit…exposed?” And indeed, the Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja, the