Peace Memorial Park

What to know

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park (平和記念公園, Heiwa Kinen Kōen) is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. Even visitors not specifically seeking it will likely come across this vast park spanning over 120,000 square meters. Its trees, lawns, and walking paths offer a stark contrast to the surrounding downtown area.

Before the atomic bombing, the area now occupied by the Peace Park was the political and commercial heart of Hiroshima. For this reason, it was chosen as the target by the pilot. Exactly four years after the bomb was dropped, it was decided that the area would not be redeveloped but instead dedicated to peace memorial facilities.

The park's main attraction is the Peace Memorial Museum. Comprising two buildings, the museum traces Hiroshima's history and the advent of nuclear weapons. Its primary focus, however, is on the events of August 6: the dropping of the bomb and its devastating human toll. The personal details on display are deeply moving and serve as a reminder not to take peace for granted.

The A-Bomb Dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is the remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. The building was used to promote Hiroshima's industries. When the bomb exploded, it was one of the few structures left standing, and it remains so today. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the A-Bomb Dome is a tangible link to Hiroshima's unique past.

Between the Museum and the A-Bomb Dome stands the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims. The Cenotaph is an arched tomb for those who died because of the bomb, whether from the initial blast or radiation exposure. Below the arch is a stone chest containing a register of names, now numbering over 220,000.

Every year on the anniversary of the bombing, a ceremony is held in the park. Speeches are made, wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph, and a moment of silence is observed at 8:15 am, the exact time of detonation. Other activities take place throughout the day, and many staff are on hand to assist foreign visitors.