One of the only buildings left standing in Hiroshima after the devastating impacts of the atomic bomb, the A-Bomb Dome quietly memorializes the tragedy and resilience experienced in the city. The ruins of the stately “Genbaku-Domu” represent the peace efforts of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in which it stands. Visit this genuine relic and UNESCO World Heritage listed site in the heart of Hiroshima to learn about what happened here in 1945 and how the city is moving forward.
Whether you visit the A-Bomb Dome first or last during your time in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, it will consolidate your understanding of the event. The Czech-designed building was opened in 1915 as the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition. It was used for educational exhibitions and industrial promotion. At 8.15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb to be used in war was dropped by the United States Army Air Forces. Although just 525 feet (160 meters) from the hypocenter of the atomic explosion, the A-Bomb Dome’s structure was resistant to the bomb’s downward force. As a result, it became the only building left standing in this area of the virtually obliterated city.
The city of Hiroshima chose to preserve the remains of the A-Bomb Dome as a link to the past and a symbol for the future and established the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in its surrounds.
Ensure you spend some time reflecting on the city’s efforts to promote peace when you visit the A-Bomb Dome. Wander around the dome’s fenced-off perimeter, taking in the fascinating structure from all angles. The building’s crumbling walls and skeletal dome contrast markedly with the slick modernity of the surrounding architecture. Read the informative plaques and signs in English and Japanese surrounding the A-Bomb Dome. The information provides some insight into the structure’s history.
View the A-Bomb Dome any time of day, year-round for free. Spend some time exploring the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and visit the park’s Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims and the Children’s Peace Monument. A walk through the park’s expansive lawns and beside the pretty canals will give you a lasting impression of Hiroshima’s commitment to peace.
