Hiroshima is the first city ever attacked by a nuclear weapon.
It was at 8:15AM on August 6 in 1945.

The atomic bomb explored about 600 meters above and 160 meters southeast of the Atomic Bomb Dome. When the atomic bomb was explored, it is estimated the temperature on the ground reached 3,000 degree C. Ninety percent of people who were within one kilo-meter from the hypocenter of the blast died within a week after the atomic bombing. Approximately 200,000 people died within a year. Almost all victims were citizens, not military soldiers.

If you get off a street car from Hiroshima station at "Genbaku Dome Mae" station, you will see the Atomic Bomb Dome, just in front of you. "Genbaku" means an atomic bombing in Japanese.

The Atomic Bomb Dome was the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall, originally. It was built in 1915. It was designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel. The business functions of the hall were commercial research, consulting services, the display and sales of prefectural products. Also, art exhibitions, fairs and cultural events were held.

The Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall was not completely destroyed by the atomic bombing. Iron flameworks and walls remained, and they kept the shape of the dome. After the war, these dramatic remains came to be known as the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Now, many tourists including foreign people visit the Atomic Bomb Dome.
At night, the dome is illuminated and is very impressive.

More than seventy years have passed since the atomic bombing, it is very peaceful scenery to see that many tourists walk in front of the dome under sunshine. However, you should not forget that many people are still suffering from cancers caused by radioactive rays produced by atomic bombing.

You also should not forget that Japan was not simply a victim of the atomic bombing. This was the result of wars of aggression to east and southeast Asian countries, which Japan caused. Also, it was the result of the war against the Unites States which Japan generated without a war declaration.

For me, the important thing is that we, as human beings, should learn what happened in the past and should not repeat such stupid things nor destructive damages by any nuclear weapons. The Atomic Bomb Dome is designated as a world heritage.

How to get there
From Tokyo, take a "Nozomi" to Hiroshima. Or, take a "Hikari" and change to "Sakura" at Shin-Osaka for Japan Rail Pass travelers.
From Hiroshima Station, take a street car, the route 2 or 6, to "Gembaku Dome Mae" station,

Official English Website:
http://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/www/dome/index.html
The automatic translation is available in the site.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Peace Memorial Park
Ruins of Hiroshima Castle
Shukukei-En Garden
Itsukushima Shrine