The Peace Memorial: Hiroshima and the Bomb
Walk the memorial axis of the city that chose to preserve its own ground zero. This is a quiet, sober act of witness, from the shattered Dome to the museum that counts the dead by name.
4.45|90 minutes|2 km|7 Stops
Start
Atomic Bomb Dome: The Object of Witness
1
Atomic Bomb Dome: The Object of Witness
The one shattered building kept exactly as the blast left it, preserved as a form of protest and recognized by UNESCO.
2
Aioi Bridge: The Aiming Point
The T-shaped bridge whose distinctive form made it the visual target for the bombing.
3
Hypocenter: Ground Zero
The point on the ground directly below the airburst, marked today by only a modest plaque.
4
Children's Peace Monument: Sadako's Cranes
A monument to the child victims of the bomb, inspired by Sadako Sasaki and her folded paper cranes.
5
Flame of Peace: A Vow Held as Fire
A flame that has burned since nineteen sixty-four and is meant to be extinguished only when all nuclear weapons are abolished.
6
Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims: The Register of Names
Kenzo Tange's arch shelters a register of the dead and frames the Flame and the Dome in a single sightline.
7
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: The City Bears Witness
Where the city itself documents the bombing and states its estimate of the toll.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning, soon after the park opens, when it is calm and the light is soft. The sixth of August draws large memorial crowds each year, so if you want quiet reflection, choose another day. Cherry-blossom season in early April brings crowds but also striking beauty along the rivers.
Pro Tips
- •Move slowly and let silence be part of the walk. This is a place of mourning, and an unhurried, quiet pace serves it best.
- •The park is flat and compact, so wear comfortable shoes and plan to linger rather than rush between stops.
- •Set aside extra time for the museum at the end. Its exhibits are measured and heavy, and many visitors want to sit quietly afterward.
- •The memorial axis runs in one straight line. If you lose your way, find the Cenotaph and look north through its arch to the Dome to reorient.
- •Carry water, and in summer bring sun protection, since much of the walk is open and exposed.
- •If you fold a paper crane before you come, you can add it to the offerings at the Children's Peace Monument.
Safety & Precautions
- This is an active place of remembrance and mourning. Keep your voice low, and be thoughtful with photography, especially near the monuments and around other visitors who may be grieving.
- The museum's contents are frank and can be deeply upsetting. Go at your own pace, and it is entirely reasonable to step outside for air.
- Summers in Hiroshima are hot and humid. Pace yourself, stay hydrated, and rest in shade to avoid heat exhaustion.
- The hypocentre marker sits on an ordinary working street with traffic, so watch for vehicles while you look for the plaque.
Gallery
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