While at Memorial Peace Park in Hiroshima, for those wanting to get to the other side to see the Genbaku Dome (A-Bomb Dome), a surviving structure after the Atomic Bomb was dropped on August 6th, you will have to cross the Aioi Bridge (Aioi Hashi).
The Aioi Bridge is an interesting bridge because it’s a T-Shaped, three-way bridge.
Aioi Bridge (Date: Before 1945)The original bridge was constructed in 1932 and it was the primary aiming point for the atomic bomb that was dropped above the city in 1945.
While standing on Aioi Bridge, you can see the Genbaku Dome (A-Bomb Dome) to the left and the Motoyasu Bridge straight ahead.
A plaque is near the bridge that reads:
The former Aioi Bridge was built in 1932, in a distinctive “T” Shape. The apparent target of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, it was subjected to an estimated blast pressure of seven tons per square meter – 15 times greater than normal.
Under this sudden pressure, the bridge thrashed like a leaf-spring being snapped back and forth with the slab floor up in the air.
Fortunately, collapse was averted and when repaired, Aioi Bridge was usable for over 35 more years. However, age took its toll and Aioi Bridge finally had to be replaced with this new bridge in October 1983.
The calligraphy for the name of the bridge of the Newel Post was written by Hirokichi Nadao, former speaker of the House of Representatives.
October, 1983
Hiroshima National Highway Work Office
Ministry of Construction
In the opposite side near Memorial Peace Park is the Motoyasu Bridge.
The original bridge was built by Mori Terumoto when he had Hiroshima Castle built and the town around over 400 years ago.
The bridge that was in place during the atomic bomb drop was built in 1926, and was a modern, stylish bridge for its time.
The girders withstood the bombing, but the blast pushed the coping stones from the main columns outward and the railings fell into the river.
Motoyasu Bridge was used for another 40 years but like Aioi Bridge, age took its tool on the bridge and construction for a new bridge began in 1989 and was completed in 1992. The new bridge was designed to resemble the original bridge.
It was thought the hypocenter was located close to this bridge and it was.The actual hypocenter is located here
When you go to Hiroshima to visit the hypocenter, unlike areas around Memorial Peace Park, the hypocenter is a block from the Genbaku Dome and it’s in a commercial/residential area.
And on the plaque is a photograph of the hypocenter by the U.S. Army and how the first atomic bomb used in history exploded above and the heat rays were approximately 3,000 to 4,000 degrees Celsius (5432 to 7232 Fahrenheit) along with a blast wind and radiation. Most people in the area lost their lives instantly at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945.
I will be continuing my blog posts from Hiroshima from the museum and also Memorial Peace Park.
