What are the key attractions in the park?

Key attractions in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park include the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Children's Peace Monument, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and the Memorial Cenotaph. Each site serves to educate visitors and memorialize the victims of the atomic bomb.

How can visitors participate in the peace activities at the park?

Visitors can participate in peace activities by attending annual events such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony held every August 6th, the anniversary of the bombing.

Are guided tours available in the park?

Yes, guided tours are available and are often led by knowledgeable local volunteers or staff. These tours can provide deeper insights into the history and significance of the park’s monuments and exhibits.

What is the best time of year to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park?

The park can be visited year-round, but the most poignant time to visit is around August 6th, during the Peace Memorial Ceremony. Spring and autumn also offer pleasant weather and beautiful scenery, enhancing the reflective experience.

How much time should I allocate for a visit to the park?

A thorough visit to the park, including a detailed tour of the museum and time to explore the various monuments, typically takes about half a day. However, visitors can adjust their time based on personal interest and schedule.

View through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park cenotaph arch, with the Atomic Bomb Dome framed in the background, surrounded by trees, reflecting pool, and a stone monument with Japanese inscription in the foreground.

A stone arch stands over a memorial with flowers beneath it, aligned along a central walkway flanked by trimmed trees, with a domed building visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

People visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in spring. The image features the cenotaph, the reflecting pool, and the A-Bomb Dome in the background, with trees and buildings surrounding the area on a clear day.

An elderly person wearing a cap sits on a wooden bench, reaching out to a small bird perched on their hand. A bicycle is parked nearby, and greenery and stone structures are visible in the background.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

4.7 (29872)Tourist AttractionHistorical LandmarkHistorical PlaceParkPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Apr 25, 2026

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park stands at the epicenter of where the atomic bomb detonated on August 6, 1945, killing an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. Established in 1954, this 120,000-square-meter park was built on an area that was once a bustling commercial and residential district completely destroyed by the blast. The park serves as a memorial to the victims and a symbol of Japan's commitment to nuclear disarmament and lasting peace.

The park's most iconic structure is the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), the skeletal remains of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, which is one of the few buildings left standing near the hypocenter. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the dome has been preserved in its damaged state as a stark reminder of nuclear destruction. The Peace Memorial Museum contains artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts from survivors, offering a sobering and educational experience that documents both the bombing and its aftermath.

Within the park grounds, visitors encounter the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims, which holds the names of all known victims and is positioned so the Atomic Bomb Dome can be seen through it. The Children's Peace Monument, inspired by Sadako Sasaki who died of radiation-induced leukemia, receives millions of origami paper cranes from around the world annually. The Peace Flame has burned continuously since 1964 and will remain lit until all nuclear weapons are eliminated from the earth. The Peace Bell, which visitors are encouraged to ring, adds to the contemplative atmosphere of the grounds.

The park is located in central Hiroshima and is easily accessible via the Hiroshima Electric Railway (streetcar). Take lines 2 or 6 to Genbaku Dome-mae Station, which places you directly at the park's northern entrance. From Hiroshima Station, the journey takes approximately 15 minutes. The park itself is open 24 hours and requires no admission fee, while the Peace Memorial Museum charges ¥200 for adults (¥100 for high school students, free for middle school students and younger).

Phone

+81 82-504-2390

Website

www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp

Overview

Address

1 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0811, Japan

Traveler reviews

May26-this place is wonderful. It's laid out so well with (linear) placing of fountain, museum, cenotaph, peace flame and vision out to the A Bomb Dome building. The manicured planting, the rejuvenated trees, the expanse of space and various memorials throughout including the children's monument, the poem to peace, the peace lake, the Buddhist bell, the mound of unclaimed souls and many more. Children and school groups are plenty so it can get busy but watch as they pray, read poems and salute to peace at various spots. Emotional, uplifting, worthy day spent. Lest we ever forget that nuclear weapons/bombs must never be used again. Highly recommend. Grab a free volunteer from the museum for 1hr guide round the park. Very worthy. Yoshie was very good and her male colleague who had been to Coventry as they have reciprocal ceremonies too.

D Y

May 28, 2026

The staff at the memorial were absolutely delightful. They were polite, well-spoken, and incredibly friendly. The peaceful atmosphere was truly calming and thought provoking. The information provided was both informative and sobering, leaving me with a newfound understanding. I highly recommend this place to anyone seeking a serene and enlightening experience.

Alfred Whitmore

May 29, 2026

Exceptional experience. The park is very clean and extremely well maintained. This place is an absolute MUST to visit. We spent about 6 hours browsing the museum and surrounding peace park. Be prepared for a confronting experience, but one that everyone should see. We entered the museum around 12pm and had no line to get in. It is a slow walk through the museum which is perfect because there is a lot to see/read. I would absolutely come here again.

Blake Love

Apr 18, 2026

A solemn and beautifully kept park where remembrance, loss, and hope for peace quietly coexist. Every corner invites reflection, especially around the Cenotaph and the nearby Peace Memorial Museum. Walking along the peaceful paths and memorials, you feel the weight of history and the quiet strength behind the city’s message of peace. The park is clean, accessible, and free to enter, with multilingual signage that makes its historical significance easy for international visitors to understand.

Rosalie Wilder

Dec 26, 2025

🌸 Where Beauty Meets Memory: A Sakura Day I’ll Never Forget 🥰 I’ve been to Japan many times, but somehow, this was my first visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park—and experiencing it during sakura season made it unforgettable. From the moment I stepped into the park, I was surrounded by soft pink blooms stretching across the skyline, gently falling with the breeze. The beauty of the sakura wasn’t just visual—you could feel it in the atmosphere. There was a subtle aroma in the air, a calmness that made everything slow down. 🌸 A Walk Through Beauty & Reflection Strolling through the park felt like moving between two worlds. On one side, breathtaking cherry blossoms in full bloom. On the other, the deep historical weight of what this place represents. Passing by the Atomic Bomb Dome was especially powerful. Standing there beneath blooming sakura trees creates a contrast that’s hard to put into words—life, loss, resilience, and renewal all in one frame. 🧠 History & Meaning The park commemorates the victims of the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and serves as a global symbol of peace. What makes it so unique is how it balances remembrance with serenity. It doesn’t feel heavy in a way that overwhelms—it feels intentional, reflective, and deeply human. 🌿 Experience & Atmosphere • Peaceful, spacious, and incredibly walkable • Perfect for slow exploration, reflection, or even quiet moments by the river • During sakura season, it becomes almost dreamlike I genuinely felt like I could spend an entire day here—and still not take it all in. 💡 Tips for Visiting • Come during sakura season (late March–early April) if you can • Take your time—this isn’t a place to rush • Walk both the main paths and the quieter riverside areas 🧭 Final Thoughts This wasn’t just a visit—it was an experience that stayed with me long after I left. The blend of natural beauty and historical depth makes this one of the most meaningful places I’ve been to in Japan. Some places you visit… but places like Hiroshima stay with you—quietly, powerfully, forever. 🥰🙏🏻🌸