The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome is a place visited by travelers from all around the world.
What is the Atomic Bomb Dome?
The Atomic Bomb Dome was originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, built in 1915. Most of the building was destroyed by the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945, but the central framework remained. Today, it is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a monument that conveys the importance of peace.
Children’s Peace Monument & the Thousand Paper Cranes
Located in the middle of Peace Memorial Park, the Children’s Peace Monument is known as a place where visitors from around the world offer origami (folded paper) cranes.
The model for the statue, Sadako Sasaki, became ill due to the effects of the atomic bomb and continued folding cranes in hopes of recovery.
Her story spread worldwide, and now people from many countries bring cranes filled with prayers for peace.
The colorful cranes surrounding the monument create a quiet yet hopeful atmosphere.
The Flame of Peace
Near the center of Peace Memorial Park stands the Flame of Peace, lit by the people of Hiroshima as a wish for a world without nuclear weapons. Since it was ignited in 1964, it has never been extinguished. Visitors from around the world quietly gaze at the flame, which resembles an open hand or a bird spreading its wings—symbolizing hope. The flame will continue to burn until the day nuclear weapons disappear from the earth.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
At the heart of the park is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which conveys what happened through the perspective of individuals. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, avoiding difficult technical terms, and gently communicate the reality of Hiroshima at the time through photographs and personal belongings. Despite the large number of visitors, the museum remains very quiet, allowing each person to reflect on peace at their own pace.
From the museum, the Flame of Peace, the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, and the Atomic Bomb Dome align in a straight line.
A Place of Accumulated Prayers
The Atomic Bomb Dome is not only a place of sorrow. It is a place where the prayers and hopes of people from around the world have accumulated over time. Walking through Hiroshima, you notice how memories of the past gently coexist with the calm everyday life of today. The very atmosphere of Hiroshima quietly conveys the importance of peace.
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