Hiroshima is best known as the first city in history to be targeted by a nuclear weapon when the USA dropped an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. The bomb was developed as part of the infamous Manhattan Project. Shortly thereafter, Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces and today the city is informally known as the “City of Peace”.
Approximately 130,000 people, including women and children, were either instantly killed or severally injured. Tens of thousands were burned or genetically modified (and not the kind that gives you super powers). A stroll through the war museum presented the event’s history in painful detail, with vivid pictures, survivor video testimonials, personal belongings from victims and bomb details. The horrific and depressing experience reminded me of a previous visit to Auschwitz.
The one question the museum didn’t answer was, “Why was Hiroshima bombed?” According to my research, the two main reasons where
- Hiroshima had not been previously bombed, and due to the size and shape of the city, it was well suited to ascertaining the effects of the A-bomb
- It had a high concentration of troops, military facilities and factories that had not been significantly damaged
After the museum, we needed some light-hearted amusement, and walked for hours while visiting the local castle, some lovely parks, and the manga library. It was a picture perfect day and the girls and I cracked jokes at each other.
That evening we went to a Karaoke bar and chose the all-you-can-drink option. The bar had dozens of private rooms with a television, touch-screen remote, two microphones and some couches. Since nearly everything was in Japanese, the helpful staff showed us how to use everything and most importantly, how to order drinks.
Among all the songs song for the next 3 hours, the most enjoyable were
- Beds are Burning, by Midnight Oil
- I’m a Barbie Girl, by Aqua
- Wanted, by Bon Jovi
- A French song, who’s name I don’t recall
Although none of us were great singers, we thorough enjoyed the experience. I ended up drinking way too much (8 rounds of double Whiskey) and stumbled home in a drunken stupor. It was the first time on this journey that I allowed myself to become completely inebriated, as the country’s reputation for safety is well founded.
Early next morning, and despite a huge hangover, I managed to join the girls to a nearby Itsukushima island and trekked for several hours up Mount Misen. Accordingly to my Polish buddy, Subway Stef, there’s nothing that cures a hangover faster than a sweaty climb. He was right, and the views from the top of the mountain were worth the nausea.
