Highlights of the Atomic Bomb Dome

The Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbol of peace that most people have seen in photographs at least once. Designed by a Czech architect in 1915, the building was used as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. At that time, the citizens of Hiroshima loved the modern buildings of Europe at the time. In 1912, a national confectionery fair was held at this venue. Baumkuchen, a representative of German cakes, was the first to be made in Japan.

Since the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall was located about 160 meters from the center, the building was blown up and everything inside the building was killed, vaporized in the air. However, the building was not completely destroyed by the explosion of the atomic bomb. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and has represented people's prayers for lasting peace.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is located in the heart of Hiroshima City, but it remains quiet and spacious. It is hard to imagine that this triangle-shaped land bordered by two rivers was once a bustling commercial and residential urban area. The atomic bomb removed everything in the town.

After World War II, a group led by a Japanese architect named Kenzo Tange who designed the actual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, rebuilt the area. In 1954, the land became a peace memorial park.

There are many buildings and monuments commemorating those who lost their lives at the time and representing people's prayers for peace. Imagine the contrast between the misfortune of the atomic bomb attack and the beauty and tranquility of the park, such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the monument, and the statue of the atomic bomb children, so we appreciate how precious peace there is while visiting the attractions in the park.

This park is also famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. There are more than 300 cherry trees along the riverside, and many people visit every spring to see the cherry blossoms. People can take a river cruise on the Motoyasu River to see the park and the Atomic Bomb Dome from the river.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park hosts the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6 every year. Speeches are given by the Prime Minister of Japan, the mayor of Hiroshima City, and local children's representatives, and a minute of silence for the victims is observed at 8:15 at the time of the explosion. Many people from all over the world attend the ceremony and pray in front of the monuments and monuments early in the morning.

In the evening, small lanterns are lit up and accompanied by the park. It floats in the lower reaches of the Motoyasu river. The fire used in the lantern is called the “embers of the atomic bomb” preserved by the person who experienced the bomb attack. The message comforting the souls of the dead and the desire for peace are written on the lanterns. The scenery of hundreds of people flowing along the river is very attractive. Recently, many foreigners can be seen participating in this event.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. If you stand on the Peace Boulevard, you can see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Monument, the Flame of Peace, and the Atomic Bomb Dome in a straight line.

Opened in 1955 The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum provides an opportunity for people to learn about the consequences of the bombing and to reflect on what peace really means.
The East Wing displays photographs, panels, videos, and panoramic models showing the actual history of Hiroshima before and after the bombing.
The main building displays the victims' belongings and references illustrating the misery of the bombing. Burned lunch box, 3-year-old's tricycle on which a boy was riding reflects the momentary destruction and strike in the hearts of visitors.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was designed by a group led by Kenzo Tange, who designed the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The power of humanity rising from the ruins is expressed in a piloti-style space under the main building. People visit the museum all year round and must be transferred to the desire not to repeat the same misfortunes anymore, and the atomic weapons that really exist today must be transferred to our future It is necessary to consider in depth whether it is necessary or not.

For more information on “Peace Trail” crossings related to peace, check here.
http://www.hiroshima-navi.or.jp/en/news/2016/07/3273627.php

Nearby tourist facilities and activities

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Children's Peace Monument
Monument to the victims of the atomic bombing (Hiroshima City of Peace Monument)
Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum
Peace Bell

Statues of mother and child in a storm
Ground Zero/Shima Hospital (Victim Explanation Committee)
The Flame of Peace

Access
From Hiroshima Station, take the Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcar to Genbaku Dome-mae (Atomic Bomb Dome) Station (16 minutes). The place is a 1-minute walk from Genbaku Dome-mae (Atomic Bomb Dome) Station. Total travel time: about 17 minutes

From Hiroshima Airport : Take the airport limousine bus from Hiroshima Airport to Hiroshima Bus Center (51 minutes). The place is a short walk from Hiroshima Bus Terminal (5 minutes). Total travel time: about 56 minutes

Column
Efforts to preserve the Atomic Bomb Dome
Although the atomic bomb dome has been well preserved since the time of the bombing, it requires regular reinforcement and repair with steel beams and resin infusions to protect the building from the weather. Seismic assessments and soundness surveys of the dome are frequently carried out. Since the dome is a symbol of destruction by nuclear weapons, it is necessary to maintain its shape in order to issue a warning. Therefore, the people of Hiroshima are working hard to preserve the atomic bomb dome.
Other peace spots
There is another bombing building.The Rest House is currently used as an information center and souvenir shop, but before the bombing it was a kimono shop.If you book in advance, you can see the underground cellar that has not changed since the bombing of the building.The person who survived here was the closest survivor to the center. Outside the park are bombing buildings such as the former Federal Bank of Japan and Hiroshima Andersen.World Peace Memorial Cathedral is Meiji Although it was an old church, it was rebuilt in the hope of world peace after the fire caused by the bombing. Two trains of the Hiroshima Railway Company, which survived the atomic bomb, are still It is operated from the city of Hiroshima. The interior of this train is made of wood and is called the “witness” of the atomic bombing. If you visit this place, you can feel the devastation of the bombing and the power of the people of Hiroshima as it happened again.