Hiroshima Rest House & Peace Museum

We toured the Hiroshima City Peace Memorial Park Rest House now also the Tourist Information Office. One survivor, the late Eizo Nomura, wrote in his memoirs how he had gone to the basement to collect his papers for the days work and survived. This basement area has been retained for education and information.

We then visited The Peace Memorial Museum with audio guide - exceptionally moving. Renovated in 2019, the exhibition displays hundreds of authentic A-bomb artefacts, photos, paintings and displays. I would like to have spent more time especially in the last section on prevention and the work of Mayors around the world. It was dark at 7pm closing - it felt dark - except for The Flame of Peace.

We walked to Okonominimura spread over 3 floors and enjoyed the Hiroshima version of her savoury layered pancake. We sat with 5 American couples who Guide was entertained matching. I am reminded of Miyamoto Musashi the famous samurai turned ronin and artist and his quote, ‘Today’s enemy is tomorrow’s friend’ - animosities that turn into alliances with time and understanding, for ‘it is effort that makes the impossible possible’.Read more