Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

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  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial - Genbaku Dome

    Hiroshima Peace Memorial - Genbaku Dome

  • A-Bomb Dome Genbaku Domu Hiroshima Memorial Park

    A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Domu)

  • A-Bomb Dome Genbaku Domu Hiroshima Memorial Park

    A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Domu)

  • Hiroshima Memorial Park

    Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

  • Hiroshima Memorial Cenotaph

    Hiroshima Memorial Cenotaph

  • Hiroshima Peace Flame

    Hiroshima Peace Flame

  • Hiroshima Children's Peace Monument

    Hiroshima Children's Peace Monument

  • Hiroshima Children's Peace Monument

    Hiroshima Children's Peace Monument

  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

    Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

    Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

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Facts & Figures

To remember the victims of the world´s first atomic bomb attack the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in the center of Hiroshima stands as the symbol of this tragedy. Over one million visitors from all over the world come every year to this 120.000 square meters park. Best Ryokans in Hiroshima Explore Ryokans in Hiroshima >
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The park contains many buildings, monuments and museums like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Memorial Cenotaph, Children’s Peace Monument, Peace Clock Tower, Flame of Peace and the A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Domu). There are almost 50 memorials in and around the park. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park:
  • Opening Hours - 8:30 am to 7:00 pm (last entry 6:30 pm) in August
  • Opening Hours - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm) from December till February
  • Opening Hours - 8:30 am to 6:00 pm (last entry 5:30 pm) rest of the year
  • Closed - December 29th till 31st
  • Admission Fee - Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: free
  • Admission Fee - Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: 50 yen

My tips for local activities

How about exploring Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima and other sightseeing spots in Hiroshima with an English-speaking tour guide. Check out this page > for more details about this tour.

History

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was open for the public in 1954. Before the atomic bomb attack the park was the place of a bustling downtown center of Hiroshima. On the 6th of August 1945 the commercial and political heart of the city was destroyed by the explosion 600 meters above ground and thousands of people got killed. 4 years after this tragedy the government of the city decided to create the Memorial Park instead of rebuilding the whole area. The construction took till 1954.

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Location

Map of Japan

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is located within Naka-ku (ward) in the center of the city Hiroshima.
Address: 1 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0811, Japan

How to get to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park?

  • 15min from Hiroshima Station to Genbaku Dome-mae Station by Tram (Line 2 or 6)

Sightseeing spots

important places:

A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Domu) - Few buildings survived the explosion downtown Hiroshima, the A-Bomb Dome was one of them. The epicenter of the blast happens just 160m away from the building. It was originally constructed by Czech architect Jan Letzel (1880 - 1925) in 1915 as an Industrial Promotion Hall. The UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1996) is now the symbol and reminder of Hiroshima's past. The A-Bomb Dome stands for the fight to get rid of nuclear weapons allover the world. It took some effort and 3 renovation projects to keep the building in the current shape. The last repairs were done in 2016.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - The centerpiece of the park is an education center about the atomic bomb and the history of Hiroshima. The museum opened in 1955 and consists of two buildings (Main and East Building). The exhibition shows belongings from the victims of the disastrous explosion like documents, photographs and other items.

Memorial Cenotaph - Memorial Cenotaph or Memorial Monument for Hiroshima - City of Peace, is an arched tomb for the victims (more than 220 000) of the explosion. All their names are inscribed inside the memorial. It was designed by famous architect Kenzo Tange (1913 - 2005). The memorial includes an nearly 100 meter long pond and is located between the Atomic Bomb Dome and Memorial Museum. The following phrase can be found at the cenotaph - Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.

Peace Flame - The flame burns since 1st of August 1964 and will be turned off when all nuclear bombs are removed from this planet. The foundation of the flame is made in the form of two open hands pointing to the sky.

Children's Peace Monument - The monument was created by sculptor Kazuo Kikuchi (1908 - 1985) and Kiyoshi Ikebe (1920 - 1979). It remembers Sadako Sasaki and the thousands of child victims of the atomic explosion. The statue was completed on the 5th of May in 1958 (Children’s Day). Sadako Sasaki battled leukemia for 10 years before she died. During that time she folded paper cranes. This paper crane is now an international symbol of peace and can be seen at the top of the monument.

Peace Bells - You can find in total 3 Peace Bells created by national treasure and expert bell-caster Masahiko Katori (1899 - 1988) in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Visitors are encouraged to ring the bell and pray for world peace.

Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims - The memorial hall was opened to the public in 2002 by the Japanese government. It was designed by architect Kenzo Tange (1913 - 2005). People come here to pray for world peace and to remember the victims.

24 Phoenix Trees (Aogiri) - Those trees survived the blast in a distance of 1,3 km. It was a miracle when they started blossoming again one year later. In 1973 they were moved to the current location. The seeds are given now to visitors from Japan and other countries.

Cenotaph For Korean Victims of The Atomic Bomb (Kankoku-jin Genbaku Giseisha Ireihi) - 20000 Korean workers died during the atomic explosion. The cenotaph became part of the Hiroshima Memorial Park in 1999.

Other memorials - Monument Dedicated to Toge Sankichi (local poet), A-bomb Monument of the Hiroshima Municipal Girl's High School

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

August

Peace Memorial Ceremony (6th)
The city of Hiroshima holds this event to remember the victims of the atomic bomb attack and to pray for world peace in the future. At 8:15 am (time when the bomb exploded) the Peace Bell is rung and for 1min the life stands still in Hiroshima. During the day there are more ceremonies held and visitors from overseas can get explanations by the helpful staff.

Where to stay in Hiroshima?

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