In
all my thoughts about travel and seeing the world, I never once imagined that I
would be visiting Hiroshima (or Nagasaki for that matter). But there we were,
for the second time, docking in a city that had been destroyed by atomic bomb.
I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t the prosperous and
vibrant city that had developed out of the ashes and now lay before us.
Hiroshima
Early
in the morning we watched the sun rise through pink clouds as we sailed past
towering tree-covered islands that filled the sea approach to Hiroshima.
Already fishing vessels dotted the seas, along with small boats that tended hundreds
of long, narrow bamboo rafts floating on the water. Later we learned that the
floats were oyster farms that provide 60 percent of all the oysters, and the
finest, in Japan. It was estimated that just one float produces about 600 kilos
of oysters a year.
This
port call marked the Queen Elizabeth’s first visit or maiden call into
Hiroshima, and it was stirring up a lot of interest—even at that time of
morning. A number of sailboats formed a flotilla of small vessels accompanying
the Queen Elizabeth into port. One sleek sailboat flew a British flag from its
mast, and two men sailing it waved both arms overhead like crazy as though
welcoming a bit of home. Flashes from cameras going off lit the dim morning.
Hiroshima
is located in Western Honshu, the largest of the Japanese islands. Hiroshima calls
itself the City of Peace, and because of its six rivers, the City of Water. We
were told that the fresh water provided by the rivers makes for the perfect cup
of coffee. One usually thinks of Japan as being a country of tea drinkers, but
coffee is definitely making inroads into the drinking habits of the Japanese.
Hiroshima
is a major center of automobile manufacturing and shipbuilding. Two of our
tablemates, John and Beverly, made reservations before arriving to tour the
Mazda factory. They were surprised to find manufacturing being done less by
robots than they expected.
Most
people coming to Hiroshima visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb
Dome, museum, and other related sights. John was one of them and joined two of
our other tablemates, Rory and Molly, to visit those sights. I opted to take a
tour of the Itukushima Shrine on the nearby island of Miyajima, which I will
describe in a future post.
Following
the bomb blast, it had been projected that nothing would grow in Hiroshima for
at least 75 years. However, two trees that survived the bombing sprouted leaves
the following spring. It is amazing what Mother Nature can survive.
The
first place John stopped was the A-Bomb Dome, which is the shell of the
Industrial Promotion Hall. The building was recently strengthened, but some of
it is still covered with scaffolding.
A-Bomb
Dome
Colorful
origami cranes are scattered around the front of the dome site, which is lit up
at night. These cranes have come to represent Hiroshima’s prayer that nuclear
weapons should never be used again.
Peace
Memorial Park and
Peace
Bell
Children’s
Peace Monument
After
leaving the bomb memorials, John visited Hiroshima Castle, which is similar in
style and construction to Osaka Castle, except at one time it had three moats.
Nicknamed the Carp Castle, it was built in 1598, destroyed in 1945,
reconstructed in 1958, and serves now as a museum. The Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
is located just inside the castle walls.
Hiroshima
Castle with Cherry Blossoms
Hiroshima
Castle Tower
In
a large building next to the dock, young Japanese children entertained the
ship’s passengers. Outside, a group of men and women performed traditional dances and
painted a giant sign that read, “See you again,” to the Queen Elizabeth.
Japanese
Children
Farewell
Sign
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