Hiroshima - Like a Phoenix from the Ashes

When we think of the city of Hiroshima, we initially associate it with the sad history of the atomic bomb dropped by the United States in 1945. We have all learned about it in history class. This event still influences the city and its people to this day. The people of Hiroshima and Japan have made great efforts to come to terms with and remember the past. This is apparent everywhere and even for us, who were fortunately not there and did not lose any relatives or friends.

Despite this unimaginable event for an ordinary person, the city has managed not to lose hope and has kept up with the modern times. Hiroshima is now a modern and vibrant city with great restaurants and bars, numerous museums and galleries, and numerous parks and green spaces.

The city is currently particularly beautiful due to the blooming cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom season is why we traveled to Japan in the spring. The Japanese call this event 'Sakura.' Sakura is celebrated in Japan and symbolizes beauty, new beginnings, and impermanence (mono no aware).
For weeks, the media is dominated by nothing but cherry blossoms, similar to regular weather forecasts. The celebration takes place very joyfully outdoors in various parks directly under the cherry blossom trees. The usually reserved Japanese people become very open-hearted during this celebration. This celebration is called Hanami. There are even seasonal products designed with cherry blossoms, and public transportation is sometimes even decorated in pink.
By the way, it is said that almost half of all deciduous trees in Japan are cherry trees.
So it is both kitschy and beautiful at the same time.

In the evening, we went to a small, typical Japanese restaurant. The restaurant was called 'Tanpopo' and was run by an elderly couple. We were the only guests and were able to chat with the owners, although we mostly communicated through gestures. However, it was a great first culinary experience. We had 'Okonomiyaki,' which is a kind of pancake with vegetables, eggs, noodles, and a special sauce. It is prepared and eaten right in front of the guest on a hot plate.