Attraction Guide: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Guide

A Place of Remembrance and Hope: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Guide

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park stands as a poignant reminder of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and a powerful symbol of the enduring hope for world peace. This sprawling park, located in the heart of the city, is a place for reflection, remembrance, and education, offering visitors a chance to learn about the devastating impact of nuclear weapons and to contemplate the importance of peace. The park was established on the open field created by the bombing. Before the bombing, this area was the city's commercial and political heart. The park's design incorporates elements that symbolize peace and remembrance, including the Peace Memorial Museum, the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), and the Children's Peace Monument. The Atomic Bomb Dome, the skeletal remains of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stark reminder of the destruction. Visitors to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park can explore the Peace Memorial Museum, which documents the events leading up to the bombing, the immediate aftermath, and the long-term effects on the survivors. The Children's Peace Monument is dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from radiation-induced leukemia after folding over a thousand paper cranes in the hope of recovery. Visitors often leave strings of paper cranes at the monument as a symbol of peace. While in Hiroshima, be sure to try *okonomiyaki*, a savory pancake that is a local specialty and a comforting dish in a city that has overcome so much. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is layered with noodles, cabbage, and other ingredients.