The arch design is based on the Haniwa, ancient clay burial objects found in Japanese burial mounds.
The inscription on the cenotaph reads, 'Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil.'
The Japanese phrasing of the inscription is intentionally ambiguous, omitting a specific subject to imply that all of humanity shares the responsibility of preventing future nuclear war.
The stone chest is made of high-quality granite sourced from the Aji quarry in Kagawa Prefecture.
The register inside the cenotaph is updated annually on August 6 to include the names of recently deceased survivors who have passed away since the previous year.
Architect Kenzo Tange was also responsible for the design of the main museum building, creating a unified architectural memorial landscape.
The monument was constructed using reinforced concrete, a material chosen for its durability and structural capabilities in the post-war reconstruction effort.
The Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph, officially the Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, City of Peace, is a saddle-shaped concrete structure designed by architect Kenzo Tange. It sits at the heart of Peace Memorial Park along the central axis of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Beneath the arch lies a stone chest containing a register with the names of all known victims of the 1945 atomic bombing, regardless of nationality. The cenotaph is aligned to perfectly frame the Atomic Bomb Dome through its arch. Construction was completed in 1952 as part of the park's broader memorial design. The design symbolizes a shelter for the souls of the deceased, protecting them from the elements. It remains the focal point for official commemorations held annually on the anniversary of the bombing. The monument serves as both a tomb and a symbolic commitment to the abolition of nuclear weapons.
From the front of the monument, looking through the arch toward the Atomic Bomb Dome in the distance.
Walk the full length of the Peace Memorial Park pathway to see how the monument aligns with the museum and the A-Bomb Dome.
Visit during the early morning to experience the site in silence before large school groups arrive.
Take time to read the explanatory plaques located near the base of the monument.
Speaking loudly or treating the area as a recreational park, as it is a place of mourning.
Maintain a quiet and respectful tone; do not climb on the structure or surrounding steps.
