Overview

In March 1952, under the Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Law, it was decided that the Peace Memorial Hall, Peace Memorial Museum, City Auditorium and the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims would be constructed in Peace Memorial Park as reminders of the past and contributions to a future of lasting peace. The Peace Memorial Hall and Peace Memorial Museum were opened to the public in 1955, and the volunteer citizen group A-bomb Materials Collection Support Association (now called A-bomb Materials Preservation Association) led an effort that involved many Hiroshima residents in the gathering of materials related to the bombing. These materials were put on display in 1958 when the Hiroshima Restoration Exposition was held in and around the Peace Memorial Museum. The museum itself was renovated and the exhibits redesigned in August 1991, and in June 1994, Peace Memorial Hall was renovated to improve display and collection functions and to provide more space for peace education. The second floors of Peace Memorial Hall and the Peace Memorial Museum were integrated into the new Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

What You'll See

The East Building tells the story of Hiroshima before and after the atomic bombing, including images of buildings and Nakajima. Exhibition rooms hold displays of drawings by A-bomb survivors, A-bomb or peace-related works of art and temporary special exhibits. A library offers A-bomb and peace-related books and other materials in addition to computer access to the entire peace database. The Video Corner allows visitors to watch animated and documentary films about the A-bomb and peace. There's also a visitors lounge for sitting and relaxing and a museum shop selling materials related to the atomic bomb and peace issues.

The West Building tells the story of the events of August 6, 1945, using photographs, the belongings of A-bomb victims and other artifacts. Features include A-bomb drawings by survivors, recorded testimony of atomic-bomb survivors and messages of peace, relief and rescue activities. Depictions of the fury of the conflagration and damage by the blast, heat rays and radiation are also shown.

Public Tours Dates and Times

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is open March 1 to November 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (entrance is closed at 5:30 p.m.); December 1 to February 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (entrance is closed at 5:30 p.m.); and August 1 to 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (entrance is closed at 6:30 p.m.). The library is always open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but is closed on weekends, holidays and January 2 and 3. The museum is closed from December 29 through January 1. For more information, contact Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, 1-2 Nakajimama-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City 730-0811, Japan; phone +81-82-241-4004; or e-mail hpcf@pcf.city.hiroshima.jp

How to Get There

From the JR Hiroshima Station, by bus: Take a red Hiroshima Bus bound for Yoshijima and get off at Heiwa Kinen Koen (Peace Memorial Park).

By streetcar: Take a streetcar bound for HiroshimaPort via Kamiyacho, get off at Chuden-Mae (in front of Chugoku Electric Power Co.) or, take a streetcar bound for Miyajima or Eba and get off at Genbakudomu-mae (the A-bomb Dome).

The address is: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
1-2 Nakajimama-cho, Naka-ku, Hirosima City 730-0811, Japan
Phone: +81-82-241-4004
FAX: +81-82-542-7941
E-mail: hpcf@pcf.city.hiroshima.jp

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