Hiroshima ひろしま And the story of Sadako

August 6th 1945 Hiroshima became the first city to be subjected to nuclear warfare. An Atomic Bomb, code named ‘Little boy’ was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. The cloud of smoke was called a ‘mushroom cloud’

Those closest to the explosion died instantly, and birds burst into flames mid-flight. Nearly every structure within one mile of ground zero was destroyed. The Dome you see here was one of the only buildings to survive.

Less than 10% of the buildings in the city survived without damage Less than 10% of the buildings in the city survived without damage. The blast waves shattered glass in suburbs 12 miles away. By the end of 1945, 100,000 people had died as a result of the bomb or its after effects (Radiation sickness)

Sadako Sasaki

She cut a piece of gold paper and folded it into the shape of a crane. Sadako Sasaki was a Japanese girl who lived in Hiroshima. She was just 2 years old when the bomb went off in the city. In January 1955 she was diagnosed with leukemia, which she got as a result of her exposure to radiation from the bomb, and was given a year to live. In August of that year,whilst very ill in hospital, her best friend visited her. She cut a piece of gold paper and folded it into the shape of a crane.

Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes (the bird of peace), will be granted a wish, such as long life or recovery from illness.

Inspired by this story, Sadako started to fold her own cranes, using any paper she could find around the hospital. Unfortunately, she fell short of her goal, and managed to fold 644 cranes before she passed away on 25th October 1955. Her friends at school finished off making the remaining 356, and they were buried with her.

After her death, her school friends published a collection of her letters in order to raise funds for a memorial of her, and all the other children who had died as a result of the bomb. In 1958, a statue of Sadako holding a golden crane was unveiled in the Hiroshima peace park.

People from all over the world visit this memorial every year, and they leave strings of paper cranes all around this part of the park.

Other sights in Japan

Other sights in Japan

Kiomizudera きよみずでら Buddhist temple Kiyomizu=pure/clear water which comes from a waterfall within the temple grounds. There are 3 cups so you can catch the water as it falls. Each cup represents something different. Legend has it that you should only drink from 2, as 3 would be greedy and you may invite misfortune on yourself!

Kinkakuji きんかくじ Golden temple Built originally in 1397 as a retirement home for the shogun of the time あしかが　よしみつ　（Ashigaka Yoshimitsu) It now functions as a しゃりでん (shariden), housing relics of Buddha.

Daibutsu だいぶつ Big Buddha This is Japan’s largest Buddha, which can be found in Ushiku, on the east coast of Honshu. Completed in 1993, it stands 120 metres tall and weighs 4000 tonnes.

Nagoya Castle Used as an army HQ and a prisoner of war camp in WW2. Built in originally in 1525 Used as an army HQ and a prisoner of war camp in WW2. Badly damaged during air raids in 1945 Golden tiger headed dolphins, which can be found on the roof of the castle. These are said to act as a talisman, to prevent the building from catching fire.

Mount Fuji ふじさん Highest mountain in Japan, 3,776 metres high. Classed as an active volcano-last erupted in 1707 The top is covered by snow for several months of the year. Lowest recorded temperature -38 degrees!! Warrior tradition Ancient samurai used the base of the mountain as a remote training area

Ginkakuji Silver Pavilion Built as a place of rest and solitude for Yoshimasa, the shogun at the time. Started in 1482.

Shika

Tokyo Tower 332.5 metres high Built in 1958