The Cenotaph

Why The Cenotaph is special ?

This cenotaph was designed in 1952 by Kenzo Tange, then professor at the University of Tokyo, with a wish to reconstruct Hiroshima, the city destroyed by the world's first atomic bombing, as a city of peace.

The roof was designed in the shape of a Japanese ancient clay house with a desire to shelter the souls of the victims from the rain.

The monument is inscribed with the words, "Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil." The stone chamber at the center houses the registry of the names of deceased A-bomb victims, regardless of nationality. Names are added when a person related to a deceased victim makes an application. As of August 6, 2010 the registry comprises 97 volumes, including 96 volumes with 269,446 names and one with the words, "Many victims with their names unknown."

Source: http://www.hiroshima-navi.or.jp/

What to explore at The Cenotaph?

At the center of the park lies the Cenotaph which holds the names of all the people who died on the bombing. The cenotaph is covered by a concrete, arch shaped monument which believes to shelter the soul of the victim. It is interesting to note that the monument is constructed such a way that if you look thru the center, you will see the A-Bomb Dome on one end and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on the other end. At the back of the cenotaph is a pool of water leading to the Peace Flame.

Source: https://lifetoreset.wordpress.com/

How to get to The Cenotaph?

Approx. 25-30 minutes from the South Exit of JR Hiroshima Station.

・Take a #2 streetcar for Miyajima-guchi or a #6 for Eba and get off at Genbaku Dome-mae. (3 minute walk from the station)

・Take a #24 Hiroshima Bus for Yoshijima and get off at Heiwa Kinen Koen.

Source: http://www.hiroshima-navi.or.jp/