Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park:  Beauty Born out of Tragedy

After a visit to the somber Hiroshima Memorial Museum, the Peace Memorial Park is a literal breath of fresh air.

The Park was designed as a prayer for the victims of the atomic blast.

What to See There

The most iconic monument in the park, the A-Bomb Dome stands strong, providing testament to what happened here many years ago.  The A-Bomb dome is what remained after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park - A-Bomb Dome

This building was close to the hypocenter of the bomb, and remained partially standing after the blast.  It was left untouched, in memory of all the people who perished in the blast.  It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 7th, 1996.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park - Cenotaph
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

At its center, the Cenotaph looks across the Flame of Peace, which will burn until all nuclear weapons are eliminated.

Many other memorials are dotted throughout the tree-lined park.

The Story of Sadako

The most well-known of these is the Children’s Peace Monument, inspired by the life of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako died of leukemia following radiation exposure.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park - Statue of Sadako
Phurinee Chinakathum / Shutterstock.com

During her time in the hospital, she would fold origami cranes out of whatever paper should could find.

There is a Japanese legend that a wish would be granted to anyone who folds one thousand of these origami cranes. Surrounding the monument, plastic boxes hold collections of origami cranes folded in memory of Sadako by school children around the world.

Browsing the boxes, you can see the impact of Sadako’s story on children as far away as Australia.Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park - Origami Crane

Relaxing in the Park

The park is a perfect place to sit and digest what you have witnessed in the museum. It’s soothing any time of day.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park - Relaxing
Pabkov / Shutterstock.com

Early in the morning, you can see salarymen and schoolchildren on bikes cutting through the park on their way to the office or to school.

Later in the day, Hiroshima residents walk their pets through the park. Many people pause by the Cenotaph to say a prayer or make an offering to the victims, but the overall mood is that of a thriving, living city.

The Peace Memorial Park is the heart of Hiroshima. It is fitting that here, at the sight of the tragedy, Hiroshima’s energy and life is evident. Whenever I visit Hiroshima, someone always strikes up a conversation with me. The people of Hiroshima are incredibly welcoming to international visitors.

Many of my conversations with people in Hiroshima take place around the Atomic Bomb Dome. This iconic building speaks powerfully to the devastation left by the bombing. It also speaks to the strength of Hiroshima’s people.

While often serious, the conversations I’ve had with residents don’t touch on blame, but on the future. Hiroshima people want to know that the message contained in the Park and Museum will be communicated around the world.

How to Get There

From JR Hiroshima station, you can either take a bus or streetcar.

By bus: Exit JR Hiroshima Station at the south exit. Take the red bus (Hiroshima Bus) headed for Yoshijima. Get off at the Heiwa Kinen Koen (Peace Memorial Park) stop.

By Streetcar: Go out the south exit of JR Hiroshima Station. Take a streetcar headed to Eba or Miyajima-guchi. Get off at the Genbakudomu-mae (the A-bomb Dome) stop.

Top Attractions in Hiroshima

A man looking at the exhibits at theHiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with a close-up picture of the  A -Bomb Dome
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island Torii Gate in the Ocean
Itsukushima (Miyajima Island)
Hiroshima Castle Taken From afar.  The building in the city can be seen in the background.
Hiroshima Castle
Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima with a red Bridge over a pond.
Shukkeien Garden
Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum Sign with a statue of a horse with wings next to it.
Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
A baseball game with a full crowd at night at the Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium in Hiroshima
Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium
The Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch
The Former Bank of Japan (Kyu-Nichi-Gin)

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