Day 7: Nagasaki Peace Park

Hello Again!

Today I am headed to the Nagasaki Peace Park!

When I arrived to the Peace Park there were not many visitors and seemed to have a somber feeling. I was very interested to learn about the peace park and how it was designed. I joined a guided tour in which I found out a lot of interesting information about the Peace Park.

The Nagasaki Peace Park commemorates the city's devastation and destruction by the atomic bomb dropped on August 9, 1945. In the park stands the massive Peace Statue, by Seibo Kitamura -stands in the center of the park- becoming one of the main focal points.

I walk through the park and see all of the beautiful, whimsical statues- all helping to create the haunting mood of the park. Each of the sculptures are equally beautiful and leads the visitor through the peace park. I also saw an amazing fountain which leads down the pathway to the center to the Peace Statue. This is the text that is engraved on the stone installed beneath Peace Praying Statue:

“An Atomic Bomb exploded on right overhead 11:02 9th August 1945, and on 5km side district fall into ruins, dead more than 73,000, wounded more than 76,000.

Memories for horror of burning hell makes our hearts almost burst with grief. We, survived citizens, made a firm resolution that we pray for every soul of victims of the atomic air raid and came out by ourselves to be apostle of world’s eternal peace, so as to never repeat the terrible disaster on the ground.

As a symbol, we intended to build the Peace Praying Statue on the hill. Then we organized Peace Praying Statue Building Society, under the impassioned support of domestic and foreign peoples, started construction in spring 1951 and after four years, completed our heart’s desired statue, and held unveiling ceremony. Today is the day before tenth atomic bomb anniversary. I, with 300 thousands citizens, believe that this Peace Praying Statue will be raised many people’s eyes and greatly contributes for world’s peace. August 1955, Mayor of Nagasaki.”

A monument with a black pillar marks the atomic explosion's epicenter in the nearby Hypocenter Park and stores the name list of bomb victims. Above the park stands the sobering Nagasaki A-Bomb Museum, which unfortunately I didn’t have much time to explore. The Atomic Bomb Museum details the city’s life before, during and after the bombing.

I can’t believe what an amazing experience this was- not only heartbreaking to see the names of the victims on the tower memorial, but also filled with awe inspiring beauty.
I'm almost sad that today was our last day!

We'll see you guys in a day or two!

Megan