Main Attractions

Peace Memorial Park
Around the epicentre of the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima in 1945, a complex of buildings and monuments has been erected in the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the earth-shattering event. It is dedicated to the promotion of world peace. Central to the park is the only remaining city building damaged in the blast. It was formerly the Industrial Promotion Hall, but is now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park also contains the Peace Memorial Museum, featuring exhibits that graphically portray the horrible effects of the bomb on the city and its citizens. Between the museum and the dome stands the Memorial Cenotaph containing a stone chest, inside which is a list of all those killed in the explosion or who died subsequently from the long-term effects caused by radiation. The Cenotaph also houses the peace flame, which will burn until nuclear war is no longer considered a threat to humanity. Other monuments contained in the solemn park include the Statue of the A-Bomb Children and the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound that contains the ashes of tens of thousands of unidentified victims.

Address: 1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku;
Post code: 730-0811;
Telephone: (082) 241 4004;
Website: www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/peacesite/indexE.html
Transport: Hiroshima bus to Yoshijima alighting at the Heiwa Kinen Koen (Peace Memorial Park) bus stop; or HiroshimaPort streetcar to Chuden Mae stop, or Eba streetcar to Genbaku Domu Mae (A-bomb Dome) stop;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm (May to November); daily 9am to 5pm (December to April);
Admission: ¥50 (adult), ¥30 (child)

Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
Hiroshima boasts the first public art museum in Japan devoted exclusively to contemporary art. The museum is housed in an interesting building designed by Japanese architect Kurokawa Kisho, based on the shape of a Japanese warehouse (Kura). The building is set high on a hill in Hijiyama Park, famed for its cherry blossoms and splendid city views. The museum itself contains the works of established and up-and-coming Japanese artists. For those not familiar with Japanese art the museum has provided information books on the individual artists represented, written in English. There is also an outdoor sculpture garden to enjoy.

Address: Peace Boulevard Avenue, Hijiyama hill
Telephone: (082) 241 4004
Website: www.hcmca.cf.city.hiroshima.jp
Transport: Bus or streetcar from Hiroshima Station
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm
Admission: ¥320 (adults), ¥240 (students), ¥150 (scholars)

Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima’s original castle, built in the late 16th century, was totally destroyed in the atomic blast but has been reconstructed as a perfect reproduction of the original. The castle houses a museum detailing the city’s history and the historic feudal system. The exhibits include some models of ancient Hiroshima and the castle.

Telephone: (082) 221 7512;
Transport: Streetcar from Hiroshima station to Kamiya-cho station on lines 1, 2 or 6; it is a 10-minute walk from there;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 5.30pm; 9am to 4.30pm (October to March)