I suppose it would be a big mistake if we were in Hiroshima and we wouldn't visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. After all, Hiroshima is etched in everyone's memories as the place where the atomic bomb has been dropped. My husband was here years ago, but for me it was a first time, and so one morning, after having breakfast at the hotel, we made it a point to visit this place.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial was actually originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It was built by Czech architect Jan Letzel, and the building was primarily used for art and educational exhibitions.
The atomic bomb dome, as it is informally called, is actually just the remaining shell of the building. This shell was the only structure that remained standing when the bomb exploded right above it, in WWII. Now, this shell has been preserved, and is located in a leafy green park, next to a river. Quite a few people visited it, together with us, when we were there.
There were other points of interest nearby, which we also checked out. There was the Memorial Tower Dedicated to the Mobilised Students, just right next to it. There is also the Flame of Peace, just across the river on the other side of the bridge. And there was also the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which shows very graphic exhibits about the actual effects of the atomic bomb, when it was dropped in Hiroshima in 1945.
Overall, this was an intense and moving experience. I would think it would be useful for everyone to visit this place once in their lives.
