Hiroshima

Hiroshima was a powerful stop on our journey - both emotionally and historically. On the morning of August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb ever used in war was dropped on the city. The bomb, nicknamed “Little Boy”, exploded about 600 meters above the ground, instantly destroying most of central Hiroshima. Around 70,000 people died immediately. By the end of the year, the death toll reached approximately 140,000, due to injuries and radiation sickness. The area of destruction covered roughly 13 square kilometers.

In school, nobody really explains what this kind of weapon does to a human body. That it can cause burns so severe the skin peels off in sheets, or that radiation sickness might appear even years later - slowly destroying lives. For thousands, that one moment ended not just their physical life, but their future, their health, or their families. Some politicians should perhaps visit the Peace Memorial Museum from time to time - or what’s left of the old Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome - perhaps common sense would return to those who need it most…
Inside one preserved school building, messages written by parents searching for their children still remain on the walls. Paintings by survivors show flames, collapsed buildings, and silent panic.

After WWII, Japan chose a radically different path. No more wars, no military aggression. Their past crimes in Korea or the Philippines are still visible in those countries - but here in Hiroshima, there is no tone of blame. The memorials do not point fingers. Instead, they repeat one message again and again: peace, memory, and the hope that it never happens again.

Today, Hiroshima is a calm, modern city. At the spot where the bomb exploded - the hypocenter - there’s now a small stone marker. It sits quietly between regular buildings, with people passing by on their way to work or lunch. Nothing dramatic, just a reminder, if you know where to look.Read more