Atomic Bomb Dome

Name: Atomic Bomb Dome
Address: Hiroshima, Japan

Monument

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Monument · Hiroshima, Japan 34.3956°N 132.4536°E

Why you should go

Ninety seconds on Atomic Bomb Dome

Time needed

Half an hourHours with the museum

Best time

Before nineAhead of school groups

Cost

FreeOpen at all hours

Effort

Level walkRiver path and park

Season

6 August eveningLanterns on the river

Access

Outside onlyFenced, no way in

Hiroshima's old prefectural exhibition hall is now a bare steel frame on the river bank, 160 metres from where the bomb exploded. Come before nine, when the school groups are still on their way, then walk south through the park to the museum.

Visiting

Start at the Genbaku Dome-mae tram stop and walk the path around the fence. There is no way inside, so the visit is the walk and the view. Cross to the Peace Park bank to see the whole ruin across the water.

Then walk south through the park, about fifteen minutes to the Cenotaph. Stand on the museum side of its arch and look north: the Flame of Peace and the Dome line up through it. Take off your hat there, keep your voice low, and leave posed selfies for somewhere else.

Come back after sunset if you can. The ruin is lit every evening, and the river path is at its quietest.

Know before you goThe Peace Memorial Museum at the south end of the park opens at half past seven, and that first hour needs an online booking. Pair the two on one morning: the Dome first, then the museum. On the evening of 6 August you can write a paper lantern and float it on the river below the Dome until nine.

Atomic Bomb Dome

Why you should go

Visiting

Nearby

Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan