TRAVEL

Exploring WWII history in Hiroshima

Gary. W. Farrell
Special for The Republic
Gary and Kim Farrell at A-Bomb Dome.

I have always wanted to visit Hiroshima, Japan. My father was the ship’s radio operator during World War II and had been at Okinawa during the assault. They were preparing for a Japan invasion when President Harry Truman gave orders to drop the two atomic bombs to bring an end to the war.

In 2014 my wife Kim and I visited the Normandy beaches, just before the 70th anniversary, and decided this year to visit Hiroshima, where the first A-Bomb had been dropped. We flew to Tokyo then direct Hiroshima.

Hiroshima is modern, beautiful, friendly city and easy to get around with public transportation. From our hotel next to the train station, we could get anywhere. On our first of three days, we did a city tour via a hop-on, hop-off bus. We visited museums, gardens, temples and the Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome. They are an impressive reminder of that day almost 70 years ago.

Transylvania rich in history, quirky delights

The park is filled with memorials to children, nurses, doctors and survivors of the blast. There is no way to wander through and not think of the travesty of war. Japanese schoolchildren everywhere, touring and learning the history. We saw few Americans, so we were constantly stopped by kids who asked us to help them read and write English as part of their school assignments. We had so much fun with them. Peace Park Museum is a history of that day, the aftermath and survival. Everyone was friendly, so no problem getting directions when needed.

We stayed two nights in a traditional ryokan on Miyajima Island, just off Hiroshima, where the deer walk freely and the famous water Torii Gate is located. In Iwakuni, we walked the historical Kintai Bridge, with its five wooden arches. It's an easy one-hour train ride from Hiroshima.

After a three-night stay in Kyoto, we spent an afternoon in Phoenix's sister city, Himeji. We frequent the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix and Kim filmed one of her tai chi DVDs there, so it was a treat to visit the famous white castle in charming Himeji.

It was an unforgettable journey.

The writer lives in Sun Lakes. 

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