Located in the center of Hiroshima City is the Hiroshima Peaceful Memorial Park (広島平和記念公園). The park and its facilities were established based on enactment of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Law in 1949.
Click to enlarge map The current Hiroshima Peaceful Memorial Park location was known as Nakajima district, which had 6,500 people living there during the war. All the lives in this area perished immediately when the bomb dropped.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial/Atomic Bomb Dome (広島平和記念碑/原爆ドーム)
The Atomic Bomb Dome is located on the north end of the park across the river. It housed the national and municipal government offices. It is currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The bomb was detonated 160 meters (524 feet) southeast of the Atomic Bomb Dome.
As we walk along the river from the north side of Hiroshima Peaceful Memorial Park towards the museum, you’ll see the Peace Clock Tower to the right.
Before crossing the Motoyasu Bridge, you will see the Memorial Tower to the Mobilized Students (動員学徒慰霊塔). During the war in 1944, middle and high school students were required to work in munitions factories and other services for the military. 6,300 out of 8,400 students died during the bombing.
After you cross the bridge, Children’s Peace Monument (原爆の子の像) will be on your right-hand side. The monument was erected in memory of all the children who died from bombing in Hiroshima. It was inspired by the death of Sadako Sasaki (佐々木禎子), who died from leukemia as a result of the radiation at 12 years old. Sadako believed that by folding 1,000 cranes, she would be cured based on traditional Japanese beliefs.
School children often bring folded crane wishing for peace on field trips to the monument.
View of the Peace Flame (平和の灯) inside Hiroshima Peaceful Memorial Park and the museum in the background.
The Peace Flame
Statue of a Prayer for Peace
Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, City of Peace (原爆死没者慰霊碑). The cenotaph (stone chest) underneath the arch contains the record of all the names who had died from the atomic bombing (all nationalities).
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum The museum collects and displays belongings left by the victims from the bombing. There are exhibitions that show Hiroshima before and after the bombing, as well as information on the current nuclear age. As the city of peace, Hiroshima’s deepest wish is the elimination of all nuclear weapons and world peace for all.
The museum has 4 floors, with paid admission required for the 2nd and 3rd floor. The second floor focuses on Hiroshima’s history during the war and its efforts to recover after the war.
Date and time of the bombing.
Short movie showing where the bomb donated and the devastating results.
Exhibition on the 3rd floor focuses on the Dangers of Nuclear Weapons.
Scenes of Hiroshima after the bombing.
Replica of “Little Boy”, the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.
Industrial Promotion Hall (before and after).
Burns on the body from the bomb.
Information on the abolition of Nuclear Weapons.
On the first floor, there is a special exhibition room. The room contains daily objects and what impact was from the bomb on them. Scenes captured with camera shortly after the bombing.
Melted glass marbles from the heat.
Streaks of black rain on a white surface after the bombing. The heat from the bomb carried dirt and debris into the air. As it rained the radioactive dust came down as black rain.
“We have known the agony of war. Let us now find the courage, together, to spread peace, and pursue a world without nuclear weapons.” – Barack Obama If you enjoyed the Hiroshima Castle guide, check out Hiroshima Japan Guide, Hiroshima Castle, and other travel posts from Just One Cookbook.
Hiroshima Castle
