Explore Hiroshima peace memorial park and museum

Located in the heart of Hiroshima, this park and museum attract visitors from all over the world, offering a profound experience and an educational journey through history.

1. History of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
   Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was established in 1954, on what was once the city’s busiest downtown commercial and residential district. The park is dedicated to the victims of the atomic bomb and serves as a symbol of peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
2. The Atomic Bomb Dome
   One of the most recognizable landmarks in the park is the Atomic Bomb Dome. The building, originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, miraculously withstood the blast and remains as a UNESCO World Heritage site, symbolizing both destruction and resilience.
3. Peace Memorial Museum
   The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is divided into two main buildings: the East Building and the Main Building. The museum exhibits personal belongings of the victims, photographs, and other materials that convey the horror of the atomic bombing and its aftermath.
4. Children's Peace Monument
   This monument is dedicated to the memory of the children who died as a result of the bombing. It was inspired by Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who developed leukemia from radiation exposure and folded over a thousand paper cranes in hope of recovery.
5. Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims
   The cenotaph holds the names of all the known victims of the atomic bombing. An epitaph on the cenotaph reads, "Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil."
6. Flame of Peace
   The Flame of Peace has been burning since 1964 and will continue to do so until the world is free of nuclear weapons. It symbolizes the city’s wish for everlasting world peace.
7. Peace Bell
   Visitors are encouraged to ring the Peace Bell located in the park. The bell represents a call for peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons.
8. Memorial Cenotaph for Korean Victims
   This monument commemorates the Korean victims of the atomic bombing, acknowledging the significant number of Koreans who were in Hiroshima at the time of the bombing.
9. Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
   This hall offers a quiet space for reflection and houses a database of the names and photographs of the victims, along with personal accounts of the bombing.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum are open year-round. Admission to the museum is modestly priced, and visitors are encouraged to spend ample time exploring the exhibits and the park's various memorials.

A visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum is a moving and educational experience that underscores the importance of peace and the need to remember history. By reflecting on the past, we can work towards a more peaceful future.