A-Bomb Dome

At the beginning of the Hiroshima area economically, Hiroshima responded to the need for a central facility through which to expand trade routes. Plans were drawn up for a commercial exhibition hall on the banks of the Motoyasu River. Construction was completed in April 1915, and the new building was named the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition HMI. It was formally opened to the public in August that year. In 1921 the name was changed to the Hiroshima Prefectural

Products Exhibition Hal], and again in 1933 to the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. During the war, as Japan's economic fortunes worsened, the hall was commandeered for such governmental, quasi-governmental and rationing offices as the Chugoku-Shikoku Public Works Office, the Hiroshima District Lumber Control Corporation and others.

Standing a mere 160 meters northwest of the hypocenter, the building was heavily damaged by the blast, then burned from the ceiling down by fires ignited instantly by the heat rays. All occupants of the building perished. Because the force of the blast came from almost directly above, however, the section of the building under the central dome remained standing. The skeletal structure of the dome looming high above the ruins was a conspicuous landmark and became known locally as the A-bomb Dome.

The A-bomb Dome must be passed on to future generations as a symbol of peace and as a witness that conveys the story of the horror and tragedy of nuclear weapons.

The Atomic Bomb Dome is one of the few buildings around the explosion's epicenter that partially survived the blast, and the city's only remaining bomb damaged building. The former Industrial Promotion Hall is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Between the museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome stands the Memorial Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims. It contains a list of all the people who were killed by the explosion or died due to the bombing's long-term effects such as cancer caused by radiation. The Statue of the A-Bomb Children and the Cenotaph for Korean Victims are some of many more monuments found in the park.

Yomiuri

"Very Informative."
Leah - Wed Nov 2007
I think this place will leave a mark on most people. They'l never forget it like wow this actually happened. I just can't believe it!

"impressive"
Anonymity Personified.Mon May 2007
I recommend the Atomic Bomb Memorial Dome as a good place to visit in Hiroshima. It is the only remaining building as a damaged building of the bombing and war. We can learn about various aspects of history of Hiroshima by looking at the exhibits and hearing the explanations. In addition, we can get along with foreigners because many gather from all over the world. Actually, when I was nine years old, I visited it for the first time, and I very impressed by the information. It was to my benefit to visit there. That’s why I recommend the Atomic Bomb Memorial Dome.