Honkawa Bridge

Honkawa Bridge is a bridge spanning the former Ota River in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Originally, a wooden bridge was built here from the Azuchi–Momoyama period through the early Edo period, and the current bridge is a reconstructed replacement. It is one of the bridges leading to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Nearby is the Honkawa Public Toilet, which is on the list of atomic-bombed buildings and is one of the few structures that remained standing even after the atomic bombing. It is said to be located about 480 meters from the hypocenter, and a plaque indicating it is an atomic-bombed building has been installed. Also nearby is the Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum, which appears in "Barefoot Gen." The Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum has a basement where the burned ruins from the atomic bomb damage remain as they were, allowing visitors to see the power of the atomic bomb directly. Near Honkawa Bridge, there are also okonomiyaki restaurants, and many people stop to eat after visiting atomic bomb-related materials and sites. Many people pass over Honkawa Bridge every day on their way to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to learn about Japan’s history. To get to Honkawa Bridge, it is a 5-minute walk from Honkawa-cho Station.