Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: What to Know Before You Go

Planning a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park? Discover key sights, museum tips, and what to expect before you go.

On our recent trip to Hiroshima, we visited a place that felt both deeply moving and incurably interesting. What made it even more memorable was that we were exploring the city on Thanksgiving Day back home in California.

Hiroshima is best known for its tragic history and the atomic bomb dropped there. The main sights for visitors are the Peace Memorial Park, its monuments and museum, and Hiroshima Castle.

Today, Hiroshima is a vibrant city of nearly 1.19 million people. It sits in Hiroshima Prefecture, by the sea and along the Ōta River delta, making it an important port city in Japan.

What happened in Hiroshima?

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb from altitude of 9,450 meters over Hiroshima. It became world-famous as the first time a nuclear weapon was used in warfare.

The bomb exploded at 8:15 a.m., killing around 75,000 people and destroying nearly 90% of the city. By the end of the year, and estimated 140,000 people had died from radiation-related effects.

A few days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. These remain the only nuclear weapons used in war.

There are different opinions on whether the bombing were necessary. Some believe they helped bring World War II to an end, whole others argue Japan would have surrendered soon regradless, making their use unnecessary and unjustifed.

Today, Hiroshima has been completely rebuilt into a lively city that welcomes around 1.2 million visitors each year. It is strongly dedicated to promoting peace, and is home to institutions focused on peace research.

What to see in Hiroshima?

We arrived in Hiroshima by train, and already at the station we could see the effects of the atomic bomb in the city. Hiroshima’s original station was heavily damaged in the bombing and eventually burned down completely. At the station, there is a small memorial explaining the fate of the old station building.

We first headed to our hotel to drop off our bags and belongings. We stayed at Nest Hotel Hiroshima Hatchobori, which was within walking distance of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. After that, we went out to explore what the park had to offer.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and places to visit there

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is located in what used to be the city’s busiest downtown and residential area before the bombing -and also the hypocenter of the atomic explosion. The park features several memorials, buildings, and a museum. It also hosts various events and conferences.

The Motoyasu River flows through the center of the park. You can walk along the riverbanks and cross it at several points. One of the bridges, called Aioi Bridge, is said to have been the target point for the bomb drop.

It’s worth setting aside a full day to explore the Peace Park if you plan to visit the museum as well. We explored the area on our own, but guided tours are also available.

Places you should definitely visit in the park:

Hiroshima Peace Memoria (Atomic Bomb Dome)

Over the years, the building located at the hypocenter of the explosion, known as the Atomic Bomb Dome, had become Hiroshima’s most iconic memorial. It is one of the few structures that remained standing after the bombing.

Before the World War II, the building served as a kind of exhibition hall, museum, and art gallery. It was designed by the architect Jan Letzel, who was from Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic.

After the war, the ruins were initially planned to be demolished, but some of the city’s residents believed they should be preserved. In the end, it was decided to keep them as a symbol of peace, and the Peace Park was built around them.

The ruins of the Atomic Bomb Dome were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.

Memorial Cenotaph

One of the first monuments built in the area is the Memorial Cenotaph, dating back in 1952. It was designed in an arched shape so that the Atomic Bomb Dome is directly visible though it.

Inside the cenotaph are engraved the names of all those who died in the bombing, and a memorial inscription is carved on the front.

Children’s Peace Monument

During our visit, several school groups were having lunch in the Peace Park while visiting Hiroshima. A group of children was also singing by the Children’s Peace Monument, which brought tears to our eyes.

The monument honors the memory of children who died in the bombing. It also tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, who died at the age of 12. Her statue stands at the top of the monument.

Sadako was only two years old at the time of the bombing, but miraculously survived. Like many others, however, she was exposed to radiation and later developed leukemia. Ten years after the bombing, she was hospitalized because of the illness.

While in the hospital, Sadako’s best friend visited her and brought her a paper crane. According to Japanese belief, if you fold one thousand paper cranes, you can make a wish and it will come true. Inspired by this, Sadako began folding paper cranes during her stay in the hospital.

According to one version of the story, Sadako managed to fold 644 cranes before her death. Her classmates folded the remaining cranes before her funeral, and they were buried with her.

Another version says that Sadako did complete the thousand cranes, and even made a few extra. After her death, her family donated some of her paper cranes to places promoting peace, such as the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Missouri, Museum of Tolerance and Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, and Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which we have also visited.

Sadako’s story became widely known around the world as a heartbreaking example of the bombing’s victims. Several books have been written about her, and a statue was erected in Seattle in Washington state. (Note: the statue was stolen in 2024 and has not been recovered).

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Located within the Peace Park, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum offers a powerful and in-depth look at the chaos caused by the atomic bomb and its aftermath.

Before visiting, it’s worth knowing that many of the images on display, especially of the victims, can be quite disturbing. I found myself moving quickly through a couple of rooms with our child, as I didn’t feel it was appropriate for our 4-year-old to see all of the images. Meanwhile, my history-loving husband followed more slowly behind, taking the time to explore each room in detail.

The museum isn’t very large and can be explored in a couple of hours. It originally opened in 1955 and has since been expanded. Inside, you’ll find both permanent and rotating exhibitions, as well as a small gift shop. The displays include photographs from before and after the bombing, along with personal belongings of victims and other materials.

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Both the Peace Park and the museum are deeply moving experiences. We walked back to our hotel in silence, reflecting on the many human stories and tragedies. It felt especially surreal knowing that at the same time, back home in California, friends and family were gathering around Thanksgiving dinners to celebrate what they’re grateful for. Being in Hiroshima gave Thanksgiving an entirely new meaning for us.

Later that evening, after our museum visit, we went out for dinner and a walk in downtown Hiroshima. The main street was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights, and the area was lively and full of people. It was a powerful reminder that from complete devastation, a vibrant and thriving city has risen.

Hiroshima was the final stop on our two week Japan trip before we returned to Tokyo for the remainder of our vacation. Our route had taken us from Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara, then onward to Himeji, and finally by train to Hiroshima.

There would have been much more to see in Hiroshima, but this time we focused on the Peace Park and the city center. While visiting, it’s also worth trying to local speciality, okonomiyaki, often described as a Japanese-style savory pancake. And all the other Japanese foods too, of course.

Compared to our other destinations in Japan, Hiroshima was a very different kind of experience, but without a doubt one of the most memorable. I’d especially recommend it to anyone interested in history.

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