Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
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Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Other Attractions > Hiroshima
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
Hiroshima Peace Park by kmf164 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
About
Prayers at the Peace Memorial Michael Day (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a "Memorial Park" in Hiroshima Japan that is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to be a target of a nuclear attack. Before the bomb was dropped, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park area was once the city’s busiest downtown commercial and residential district. The park was built in the open space the explosion of the bomb created. There are many memorials, monuments and museums that draw over a million visitors annually. The Peace Memorial Ceremony held on August 6, is also held in the park. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is not only to memorialize the victims, but also to force the memory of nuclear horrors and advocate world peace.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Map - major sights of interest
- Hypnocenter - is the point of origin or "ground zero" (the surface point directly beneath a nuclear airburst) of the nuclear blast.
- Atomic Bomb Dome - is what remains of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall after the blast. It is a building closest to the hypocenter of the nuclear blast and left after the bombing in memory of the casualties.
- Children's Peace Monument - is a statue that is based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from radiation from the bomb. The Children's Peace Monument statue is dedicated in memory to the children who died as a result of the bombing.
- Rest House - is another one of the buildings that remained standing after the blast. Everyone in the building was killed except for 47-year-old Eizo Nomura who was in the basement. The basement had a concrete roof and protected him from radiation. Eizo survived into his 80s.
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - is the main museum in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park which is dedicated to educating visitors about the nuclear attack. The Museum has exhibits and information covering Hiroshima's history during WW2, the effects of the bombing and lots of memorabilia and pictures from the bombing.
- Cenotaph - A monument that holds the names of all the victims of the nuclear bomb attack. The Cenotaph is near the center of the park and is aligned to frame the Peace Flame and the A-Bomb Dome. It was built August 6, 1952, one of the first monuments and the arch shape represents a shelter for the souls of the victims
- Flame of Peace - is also dedicated to the victims but also holds another purpose; The flame is to burn continuously since 1964 until all nuclear bombs on the planet are destroyed.
- Peace Bell - Visitors are encouraged to ring the bell for world peace. The the loud tolling of this bell rings out regularly throughout the Peace Park.
- Gates of Peace - were added in 2005. There are ten gates covered with the word "peace" in 49 different languages.
The Dome by Remiel (CC BY-SA 2.5)
by Maarten Heerlien (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Access
Closest Train Station: Gembaku-Dome-Mae
Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0811 Japan
Tel: 82-504-2390
From Hiroshima Station: Take the tram, line 2 or 6 to Genbaku-Domu Mae (原爆ドーム前) station. The ride takes around 15 minutes and costs 160 yen.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Hours & Fees
Hours: Summer: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Winter: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry 30 min. before closing)
Closed: No closing days
