The 140,000 stone tiles surrounding the Hall of Remembrance correspond to the estimated number of people who died by the end of 1945.
The facility is designed as a 'living' archive, continuously updated with new victim registries and testimonies submitted by families.
The central clock tower pillar is illuminated by natural light filtering down from the surface-level reflecting pool.
The memorial was designed by architect Kenzo Tange’s firm, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic consistent with the surrounding Peace Memorial Park.
The database system is accessible to the public, allowing visitors to search for specific victims' names and personal histories.
The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is a subterranean facility dedicated to mourning the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing. The architecture is primarily underground, centered around a circular Hall of Remembrance that offers a 360-degree panorama of the ruined city. A pillar at the center marks the time of the explosion, 8:15 a.m. The facility houses a digital database of names and photographs of the deceased, alongside personal accounts and memoirs from survivors. It serves as a space for prayer, research, and historical reflection, distinct from the adjacent Peace Memorial Museum. The structure incorporates a water basin on the surface level that reflects the sky and city skyline. Visitors navigate a downward spiral pathway into the memorial halls, symbolizing a journey into the past. It operates as a national institution under the jurisdiction of the Japanese government.
The view from the stairs looking out toward the reflecting pool and the park skyline.
Visit the Hall of Remembrance in silence to respect those mourning family members.
Dedicate time to the library and information area to read digitized survivor testimonies in multiple languages.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Peace Memorial Park to see the Cenotaph and Flame of Peace.
Do not treat the site as a mere sightseeing photo opportunity; it is a functioning memorial space for bereaved families.
Closed from December 29 to January 1 annually.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor throughout the facility; avoid loud conversations or photography in designated memorial zones.
