Hiroshima’s Peace Park & Hidden Witness Buildings Tour

Fukuro-machi Elementary School Peace Museum is located just 460 meters (about 1,510 feet) from the hypocenter of the atomic bomb. On August 6, 1945, the blast destroyed most of the school buildings, killing around 160 students and staff. Only the reinforced concrete west wing survived.
In the days following the bombing, this surviving building became a temporary shelter and communication center. Survivors wrote messages in chalk on the soot-covered walls—searching for missing family members or sharing news of survival. These handwritten notes, called hibaku dengon, were later discovered beneath layers of plaster and are now preserved in the museum.
The museum opened in 2002 and occupies part of the original 1937 school building. Visitors can see the actual message wall, damaged doors and windows, and personal items from the time. A short video with English subtitles shares survivor testimonies, and exhibits include drawings, artifacts, and peace messages from children today.

Although this bank was located just about 380 meters (about 1,250 feet) from the hypocenter, its sturdy reinforced concrete structure prevented the building from collapsing, and the underground vault remained intact. This bank played a vital role in helping people restore a sense of everyday life amid the chaos.

In 1945, the building was exposed to the atomic bombing at a close distance of approximately 360 meters (about 1,180 feet) from the hypocenter. Despite the devastation, parts of the outer walls and the underground vault remained intact, allowing the bank to continue operating after the war.
In 1967, Takaki Bakery purchased and renovated the building, reopening it as Hiroshima Andersen.

Shima Hospital – The Hypocenter of the Atomic Bomb
It was a modern surgical hospital located in central Hiroshima, just across the street from the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall (now the Atomic Bomb Dome). On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM, the atomic bomb exploded approximately 600 meters (about 1,970 feet) above the hospital, making it the exact hypocenter of the blast.

Atomic Bomb Dome – A Silent Witness to History
The Atomic Bomb Dome, officially known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is one of the few structures that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Located just 160 meters (about 525 feet) from the hypocenter, the building was originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel in 1915.
In 1996, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as a lasting reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of peace. Today, visitors from around the world come to reflect on its haunting beauty and the stories it represents.

Rest House – A Quiet Survivor in the Heart of Peace Park
Originally built in 1929 as a kimono shop, it later became the Fuel Hall, housing the Hiroshima Fuel Distribution Union during World War II.
On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb exploded just 170 meters (about 560 feet) away. The blast severely damaged the building, killing most of the 37 people inside. One man, who happened to be in the basement at the time, survived—his story is now part of the museum’s exhibit.

Located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Children’s Peace Monument honors the thousands of children who died as a result of the atomic bombing. At the top of the monument stands a statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who developed leukemia from radiation exposure and passed away at the age of 12. Let’s pause to admire the beautiful paper cranes sent from across Japan and around the world—and ring the peace bell as a quiet prayer for peace.

Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound – Honoring the Unknown Souls
Nestled quietly within Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound is a solemn monument dedicated to the tens of thousands of unidentified victims of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. Visitors often leave flowers, water, and silent prayers. Though simple in appearance, this monument carries deep emotional weight. It reminds us that behind every number is a life, and behind every life, a story.

Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims – A Promise Never to Repeat
Located at the heart of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims is a solemn arch-shaped monument dedicated to all who lost their lives due to the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945—regardless of nationality, age, or background.
The Cenotaph is the focal point of the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony held every August 6th, where prayers, speeches, and offerings are made in remembrance.

With the insights and feelings gathered during the tour, guests are invited to enter the museum and take time to reflect quietly at their own pace.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum presents powerful exhibits about the atomic bombing and its aftermath, including personal belongings, photographs, and survivor stories. Inside the museum, all displays are explained in both English and Japanese, making it accessible to international guests. Audio guides are available in multiple languages—including English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, and more—with about 70 minutes of content. They can be rented on the 1st floor of the East Building