Even though today the Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbol of peace for the city, it used to serve a very different purpose in the past. Below, we delve deeper into the history of the building and how it gained its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-- Where is the Atomic Bomb Dome?
-- History of the Atomic Bomb Dome
If you’re interested in making a stop by the Atomic Bomb Dome, we highly recommend our Half-Day Hiroshima Highlights tour. Not only will you be able to go to the dome but also visit other relevant locations in the city such as Shukkei-en Garden, Hiroshima Castle, and the Peace Memorial Museum. The tour is offered both in the morning and afternoon, making it easier to fit into your traveling plans. You can click on the “View Details” button below to find out more information.
WHERE IS THE ATOMIC BOMB DOME?
The Atomic Bomb Dome is located in Hiroshima's city center, within the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. It is on the bank of the Motoyasu River and about a 5-minute walk from the Peace Memorial Museum.
HISTORY OF THE ATOMIC BOMB DOME
The history of the building which is now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome began as far back as 1910. At that time, Hiroshima Prefecture decided to construct a place to display and promote local products. Jan Letzel, a Czechoslovakian architect, was put in charge of the project.
Construction officially began in 1914 and concluded one year later in the month of April. The building stood 25 meters high, made mostly of brick but partially supported by reinforced steel. At the time of opening, the structure was named the “Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall.” With its considerable size and distinct European design, this building quickly became one of the most recognizable sights in Hiroshima. Inside, visitors had access to a public exhibition hall and art gallery, and could also purchase local products.
Thirty years after the opening of the exhibition hall, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. This building was located about 160 meters away from the hypocenter of the explosion and it was the only one to remain standing this close to the blast. When reconstruction efforts began in the city, people began to question what should be done about this building. Some argued that it should be taken down due to it being a horrible reminder of the atomic bombing. Others claimed it should be preserved as a monument for those same reasons.
Ultimately, the building was left in its post-bombing state as a symbol of peace and hope for a future with no nuclear weapons. In 1966, funds began to be raised to preserve the Atomic Bomb Dome. One year later, the first preservation project was completed after being able to gather 66 million yen (about USD430,650). Since then, two more preservation projects have been carried out, one in 1990 and the other in 2003. In the year 1996, the dome was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
TOURS VISITING THE DOME
When visiting Hiroshima, many travelers limit themselves to making a stop by Peace Memorial Park, looking at the Atomic Bomb Dome and touring the museum. We believe that this city has a lot more to offer and is best explored by also going to historic sites unrelated to the atomic bombing. For this reason, we have developed several tours which all make stops at Shukkei-en Garden and Hiroshima Castle in addition to Peace Memorial Park. At the park, of course, we have included visits to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum, but have also added other important locations from around the park such as the Children's Peace Monument and Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph. Take a look at our list of tours below and choose the one which best suits your travel plans!
This half-day tour is offered at both 9:00 and 14:30, taking you to all the locations mentioned above in just four hours. If you don't have a lot of time to spend in Hiroshima, or don't want to commit to a full-day tour, than we highly recommend booking this experience.
If you do have some time to spare, and wish to explore Hiroshima beyond its most popular tourist spots, then you should consider joining us for our Hiroshima Hidden Gems and Highlights tour. In addition to all the places visited in the half-day one, this tour will take you to the Mitaki-dera Temple, a breathtaking Buddhist temple located within the city but surrounded by nature. A little further away than most visitors dare to venture, this temple is a great opportunity to learn more about religion in Japan while enjoying some peace and quiet away from the large crowds.
When planning a trip to Hiroshima, most travelers will quickly learn about one of the prefecture's most famous places other than the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum: the stunning island of Miyajima. Located a short train and ferry ride away from the city, this island is home to the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and its "floating" O-torii gate. The beauty and tranquility of this island have earned it its title as one of "Japan's top three scenic spots." In just a single day, this tour will allow you to visit the breathtaking island along with all the highlighted locations within the city center. If you're interested in learning more about Miyajima and this tour, click on the "View Details" button below.
If you're interested in learning about more tours in the Hiroshima area, you can take a loot at our "Best Tours around Hiroshima" page.