Let’s go back to 08:15 on 6 August 1945; the city of Hiroshima was wiped out killing 200000 civilians and many more died over the years of radiation poisoning and leukaemia. This is why nuclear war is such a terrifying threat. I had tears when our guide was telling us of how, fortunately, her grandparents and parents survived but then of the little girl who was only two years old when the Atom Bomb dropped. The girl was quite well until March of her 12th year when she became ill with leukaemia. She believed that if she folded 1000 origami cranes, which are a symbol of long life, she would be cured. Her death just seven months later inspired a campaign to build a monument which is in the Peace Park. Approximately 10 million paper cranes are offered each year at the site.
Also in the Peace Park is a museum depicting horrific photographs, a building which still stands incredibly intact and the A-Bomb Dome which was the former Industrial Promotion Hall, this is the only structural ruin of the war in the city. There is also an eternal Peace Flame which will not be extinguished until all atomic weapons around the world are eliminated.
There are many different view points on this ship and obviously worldwide as to what happened in Japan back then, I’m not here to give my point of view and yes I understand what the Japanese did to our POWs but I just know what I saw and I have my imagination. 
On a lighter note, we took the Bullet train (Shinkansen), travelling at 200mph, to Iwakuni which is a beautiful area of historical interest. The wooden Kintai Bridge spans the river towards Castles, parks, Shogun houses and museums. We then had a typical Japanese lunch which was a complete mixture of about 14 different plates and dishes of something!! I know we had Sashimi, which is raw fish, I had one little bit of Tuna. My favourite dish was Tempura Prawns. We should have visited Miyajima island but didn’t have time. This island is considered one of the top three attractions in Japan, this is where the famous Tori Gate shrine is. 
Japan is a wonderful country, the people are so polite and their customs are intriguing. We will definitely return, maybe in the spring-time when the Cherry Blossom is in bloom.
On a lighter note, we took the Bullet train (Shinkansen), travelling at 200mph, to Iwakuni which is a beautiful area of historical interest. The wooden Kintai Bridge spans the river towards Castles, parks, Shogun houses and museums. We then had a typical Japanese lunch which was a complete mixture of about 14 different plates and dishes of something!! I know we had Sashimi, which is raw fish, I had one little bit of Tuna. My favourite dish was Tempura Prawns. We should have visited Miyajima island but didn’t have time. This island is considered one of the top three attractions in Japan, this is where the famous Tori Gate shrine is. 
Japan is a wonderful country, the people are so polite and their customs are intriguing. We will definitely return, maybe in the spring-time when the Cherry Blossom is in bloom. 
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