“A scar on the face of the earth.” That’s how many describe the Genbaku Dome, a skeletal reminder of the devastation that occurred here in Hiroshima. Standing before it, you might feel a chill, a sense of solemnity that hangs heavy in the air. The Genbaku Dome, originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, is not a monument to war, but a monument to peace. It stands as a stark reminder of the destructive power of the atomic bomb and the human cost of conflict. On that fateful morning of August 6th, 1945, at 8:15 am, the world changed forever. The first atomic bomb used in warfare detonated almost directly above this very spot. The hall was obliterated, everyone inside instantly killed. Yet, the dome, though stripped bare, remained standing. You might be surprised to know that there was much debate about whether to tear the dome down. Some saw it as a painful reminder of tragedy. Others saw it as a powerful symbol of resilience, a testament to the need for peace. Ultimately, the decision was made to preserve the Genbaku Dome. In 1996, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site, not for its beauty, but for its stark warning. Look around you. Let the silence speak. Let the Genbaku Dome serve as a reminder of the past and a call to action for a future free from the threat of nuclear war.
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