At 8:15 on the morning of August 6th,1945, the first atomic bomb exploded above Hiroshima. It was aimed at the political and commercial heart of the city. The decision was made some 4 years after that fatal explosion, not to redevelop the area but to devote the 120,000 square metres to peace memorial facilities in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. It includes the following:
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) often called the A-Bomb Dome, is what remains of the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It was the only building in the area left standing that predates the atomic blast and through the efforts of many people it has been preserved as it was immediately after the bombing. It is both a reminder of the destructive power of the world’s deadliest weapon and symbol of hope for world peace and the elimination of all thermo-nuclear weapons. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.
The centrepiece of the park is the Peace Memorial Museum. It consists of two buildings which detail the events of the day the bomb was dropped and the cost in human suffering. It can be quite an emotional and harrowing experience. The museum is geared to accommodating international visitors.
Situated between the Museum and the A-Bomb Dome is the Cenotaph for A-Bomb Victims. This is an arch erected to the memory of those who died immediately in the bomb blast or later because of radiation. It contains a stone chest with the names of the victims who number more than 220,000.
Every year on August 6th a memorial service is held. At 8:15 am a moment’s silence is observed and then speeches made and wreathes laid at the Cenotaph.
We can provide professional interpreters who have a guide-interpreter license at your request.
The tour guide interpreters have accurate knoeledge about Japanese culture, tradition and other points of interest.