Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
is a Must See!

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was once a devastated wasteland.

The site of the first attack by atomic bomb, Hiroshima Peace Park is now a symbol of peace.

Actually if you didn`t know any better, the park would probably strike you with its beauty. Unfortunately it also has an undercurrent of pain and sadness which is exemplified by the many memorials in the park.

The Peace Park`s most notable landmark is perhaps the Genbaku Dome (Atomic Bomb Dome). One of the few buildings to "survive" the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

The centerpiece of the park is the Hiroshima Memorial Cenotaph which contains the names of those who died due to the bomb.

Near the Cenotaph is the Peace Flame, which was first lit in 1964. Burning continuously since then, it will only be extinguished when all nuclear weapons have been eradicated.

A particularly touching monument is the Children`s Peace Monument, with its "Sadako Statue". It was inspired by the 12 year old Sadako Sasaki who folded 1000 paper cranes with the hope of recovering from leukemia, an illness she ultimately died from as a result of exposure to the Hiroshima Bomb`s radiation 10 years earlier.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is focused on teaching visitors about the bomb and the Hiroshima aftermath.

It contains not only images of the destruction but also artifacts that were damaged by the power of the explosion and stories by those who experienced the event.

The Korean Victim`s Monument is dedicated to the thousands of Koreans who were forced to work in Japanese factories at the time. First erected in 1970 outside the main area of the park, it was moved inside the Peace Memorial Park in 1999.

The Peace Bell which can be rung by visitors, has the inscription "Know Thyself". When struck, the impact point on the bell is the none too subtle atomic symbol.