“Even in the face of tragedy, hope can bloom.” Those were the words etched into my mind as I first stood before the Hiroshima Landslide Hazard Memorial. It’s a place that remembers a different kind of tragedy, one that unfolded not in a blinding flash, but in the relentless fury of nature. Here, on August 20, 2014, a series of devastating landslides, triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall, tore through Hiroshima. The Hiroshima Landslide Hazard Memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the 77 souls lost in the disaster. It’s a place of quiet reflection, where the stories of those affected are etched into the very landscape. The landslides, some of which surged as debris flows, carved their way through neighborhoods, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. The hardest-hit areas, like Yagi 3-Chome, were forever changed. The memorial serves as a beacon for resilience and a testament to the enduring spirit of Hiroshima. It reminds us of the power of nature, but also of the importance of preparedness, community, and remembering those lost. As you stand here, take a moment to remember their lives and the lessons learned from this tragedy.
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