Sights in Hiroshima
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Peace Memorial Park
From the A-Bomb Dome cross over into Peace Memorial Park, which is dotted with memorials, including the cenotaph that contains the names of all the known victims of the bomb. The cenotaph frames the Flame of Peace, which will only be extinguished once the last nuclear weapon on earth has been destroyed, and the A-Bomb Dome across the river. Inside the park, the A-bomb museum, commonly known as the Peace Memorial Museums, narrates the events preceding, during and after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. For many it is an overwhelming experience and a potent symbol of the idiocy of war. Opened in August 2002, the Peace Memorial Hall is a contemplative hall of…
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Children's Peace Monument
Just north of the road crossing through the Peace Memorial Park is, for many, the most poignant memorial in the park - the Children's Peace Monument, inspired by leukaemia victim Sadako Sasaki. When Sadako developed leukaemia at 10 years of age she decided to fold 1000 paper cranes - an ancient Japanese custom through which it is believed that a person's wishes will come true.
The crane is the symbol of longevity and happiness in Japan and she was convinced that if she could achieve that target she would recover. She died before reaching her goal, but her classmates folded the rest. The story inspired a nationwide bout of paper-crane folding, which continues to this day.
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A-Bomb Dome
The symbol of the destruction visited upon Hiroshima is the A-Bomb Dome, across the river from Peace Memorial Park. Declared a Unesco World Heritage site in December 1996, the building was the Industrial Promotion Hall until the bomb exploded almost directly above it. Its propped-up ruins, floodlit at night, have been left as an eternal reminder of the tragedy.
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Hiroshima-jō
Also known as Carp Castle, Hiroshima-jō was originally constructed in 1589, but much of it was dismantled following the Meiji Restoration, leaving only the donjon, main gates and turrets. The remainder was totally destroyed by the A-bomb and rebuilt in modern reinforced concrete in 1958.
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Shukkei-en
Modelled after Xi Hu (West Lake) in Hangzhou, China, Shukkei-en dates from 1620 but it was severely damaged by the bomb. The garden's name literally means 'contracted view', and it attempts to re-create grand vistas in miniature. It may not be one of Japan's celebrated classic gardens, but it makes for a pleasant stroll.
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Mazda Museum
The Mazda Museum is quite popular, as you get to see the 7km assembly line - the world's longest. If you feel auto-inclined, check out the details on the English-language website. Reservations are required; there is one tour in English daily at 13:00. It's two stops from JR Hiroshima station.
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Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
Hijiyama-kōen, a park noted for its cherry blossoms in spring, lies directly south of JR Hiroshima Station and makes for a peaceful stroll. The Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, in its grounds, has excellent displays by modern Japanese and international artists.
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Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
Next to the Shukkei-en garden is the splendid Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum, featuring Salvador Dali's Dream of Venus and the artwork of Hirayama Ikuo, who was in the city during the bombing. Enter the garden through the museum.
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Hiroshima Museum of Art
The Hiroshima Museum of Art, in Hanover Park, is in an interesting 1970s building built by the Hiroshima Bank and focusing on French masters.
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Hiroshima Children's Museum
The Hiroshima Children's Museum is good fun for adults and kids. It's in Hanover Park, just southwest of the castle.
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Hiroshima City Manga Library
Hiroshima City Manga Library is a small comic-book museum in the grounds of Hijiyama-kōen.
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