Activities
Guide to the Peace Memorial Park
Michelle MontanoPeace Memorial Park stands as a testament to the victims of the first atomic bomb in history and as a vow to protect and forge..
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Hiroshima Peace Park (平和記念公園) is a large green space in the center of Hiroshima — once the thriving political and commercial heart of the city. On August 6th 1945, the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped over the center of Hiroshima City which suffered widespread damage and suffering. Four years later, this area of the city was designated as a memorial zone.
Today, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, encompasses 30 acres and is home to numerous memorial statues, monuments and a world-class museum. Arguably the highlight of the park is the Peace Memorial Museum, which underwent a major renovation between 2017—2019. The museum focuses on the events of August 6th, with personal images and paraphernalia from the aftermath of the bomb—including a pocket watch that stopped at 8:15am, the time of the detonation.
At the north end of the park, the Atomic Bomb Dome (Gembaku Dome) is a skeletal reminder of the horror of that historic day. At 8:15am, the bomb detonated in the air directly over this area (the exact hypocenter a few blocks away), incinerating much of the city in its path but sparing this building’s metal framework, which remained intact. Today, the A-Bomb Dome serves as a visceral reminder of that fateful day.
Peace Memorial Park is a place of remembrance, perseverance and hope for a peaceful tomorrow.
President Obama made a historic visit to Hiroshima's Peace Park in 2016.
Overview
Address
1-2 Nakajimama-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City 730-0811 (Map) (Directions)Hours
Open 24 hours Open NowOpening Hours
Monday
Open 24 hours
Tuesday
Open 24 hours
Wednesday
Open 24 hours
Thursday
Open 24 hours
Friday
Open 24 hours
Saturday
Open 24 hours
Sunday
Open 24 hours
Holidays
Open 24 hours
Phone Number
082-504-2390Website
Highlights
Children's Peace Monument
The Children's Peace Monument was built to commemorate Sadako Sasaki and the thousands of child victims from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Sadako Sasaki was a young girl who was exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb blast, dying ten years later after a long battle with leukemia. Before she passed away, Sadako had a vision to create one thousand cranes—which she achieved—echoing the Japanese tradition that granted one wish upon doing so. Sadako's wish was for a world without nuclear weapons, and the paper cranes seen here serve as a reminder of this.
Hiroshima Cenotaph
The Memorial Cenotaph is otherwise officially known as the 'Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, City of Peace'. Designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect, Kenzo Tange, the cenotaph's shape resembles an ancient clay house that helps shelter the souls of the victims from rain. The stone base houses a registry of the names of over 300,000 people who lost their lives during and after the bombing.
Peace Bell
The Peace Bell was created with the hope to abolish nuclear weapons and achieve world peace. Created by bell-caster Masahiko Katori (considered a living National Treasure), the bell is embossed with a singular, unified world map without borders — symbolising an interconnected globe at peace. The surrounding pond contains lotus flowers that come to bloom around early August. Visitors are encouraged to ring the bell as they pray for world peace.
Flame of Peace
First lit in 1964 in hope of a world without nuclear weapons, the flame continues to burn until they are abolished around the world. The pedestal that cradles the flame evokes the image of two hands joined at the base, palms facing the sky.
Prayer for Peace
Erected in 1977, this statue depicts a child in its mother's arms who blows a trumpet of peace. A crescent moon completes the sculpture.
Atomic Bomb Memorial Burial Mound
Completed in 1955, this memorial mound mourns the ashes of the deceased that are unclaimed — either because their names were unknown or their families/relatives died. The vault lies beneath containing the ashes of some 70,000 victims.
Hiroshima Peace Clock
Made of 3 iron pillars and supporting a spherical clock, this 20m-tower was completed in 1967. With its daily chime at 8:15am serving as an apt reminder, the clock calls out for world peace and represents a crossroad for humanity.
Korean Cenotaph
A monument dedicated to the Korean victims of the atomic bombing. To make up for a shortage of laborers during the war years, Japan had forcibly imported a number of Koreans to work in factories and camps. Several thousand Koreans were in Hiroshima on the morning the atomic bomb was dropped.
Rest House of Hiroshima Peace Park
Beside the Motoyasu Bridge on the central-eastern edge of the park, the Rest House serves as a Tourist Information Center, as well as gift shop and rest space. Tours are given of the basement, which has been preserved since the time of the bombing and where it is said the only person in the building who was to survive the events of August 6th 1945.
General Amenities
- Information Counter
- Free parking
- Paid parking
- Restroom
Accessibility
- Barrier-free access
- Multi-purpose toilet
Payment Method
- Pay by cash
- Credit cards accepted
Access
Take the street car (tram) #2 bound for Hiroden-Miyajima or #6 bound for Eba from JR Hiroshima Station. Alight at "Genbaku dome-mae" station.
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