Honkawa Elementary School
1-5 Honkawa-cho, Naka-ku
Located very near the epicenter by the peace park. Many students died at the school.
Ailanthus Altissima, known as the 'tree of heaven': 350m
Plaque: (from English plaque)
Honkawa National School (Approx. 350 meters from the hypocenter)
Damage to this school, located almost directly below the atomic bomb's epicenter, was indescribable. Construccted of ferroconcrete, the school building was thought to be relatively safe, able to withstand incendiary and other conventional bombs. Due to the horrific blast pressure from the atomic bomb, however, the walls of the building collapsed, and the window frames and other accessories were strewn about. The building was burned thoughout, leaving only the outer walls standing.
The completely burned-out building was used as a relief station for the survivors of the bombing. In the school yard, the corpses of many dead were arranged in a heap.
(Honkawa National School - photographed by Masami Ogi)
Chinese Parasol: 2nd Generation
These Chinese Parasol trees are the offspring of the Chinese Parasol located in the Peace Park.