Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Absolutely incredibly fascinating, in the worst way possible. The museum is so well done, and it costs peanuts to go inside. If you’re in Hiroshima, you’d be doing the Japanese people an injustice to not go here and learn about the awful history. It starts by showing how the city thrived before the bomb, and then the heartbreak. Individual testimonies, artefacts, the struggle of coping with illness & judgement, the US and worldwide ego with collecting and testing nuclear weapons and the affects it had on other people. Utterly fascinating and heartbreaking. It’s a really heavy feeling, but I’m glad I did it. It’s a story that tells the resilience of the Japanese people. Hiroshima is not some derelict city, it’s a thriving city with friendly people, that’s the story. And not only this but they’re trying to spread education and world peace, bravo! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

This museum touches your soul and mind in a way not many museums do. It’s beautifully set-up, and the stories there are heartbreaking and soul crushing. To see what has happened also long after the bombing, how it affected and tore up families. On the other side it shows also hope and determination and the power and resilience of the people of Hiroshima. I haven’t said a word inside, just observed, watched and read and sometimes stood in awe. What a powerful museum this is to visit. The most graphic photos I haven’t posted.

If you consider history and it's impact on the culture,people,emotions, and etc, this is a must to visit place. However the museum is very crowded as I have visited in year end, the peak season of vacation. I recommend visiting on casual days where there is not much people around. Also, might be because of stress, the staff around were yelling for some confusions of them to analyze the tickets. I was shocked to feel this behavior here. "Not from this gate, from there" and I was nearly pushed away. I hope it's only me that this happened. Else, the park is good to visit, the scenario is pleasant. If you think what could have happened, you would once feel the depth of emotions and empathy for Hiroshima and Japan as a whole.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is one of the most powerful places I’ve ever visited. The site preserves history with honesty, respect, and deep emotion, reminding visitors of the real cost of war and the value of peace. Walking through the memorial and museum is a humbling experience — thoughtful exhibits, personal stories, and silent spaces that invite reflection. It’s impossible to leave unchanged. A must-visit for anyone coming to Hiroshima.

Large museum, generally very crowded, but I went early morning, waited only 10 minutes in line. Inside you'll find a very elaborate description of the history of Hiroshima before, during, and after the atomic bombing. Must visit if you are interested in that. 200 yen ticket. Souvenirs also available at the ground floor, can buy after the tour, not so expensive. I bought 3 keychains for 400 yen each. There is graphic content also in certain places, so please refrain children from seeing it. Also, bring water bottle with u, since the tour can be as long as 2 hours (if u take time and grasp everything throughout) and there are no vending machines inside the museum.

This museum will give you a full picture of what was the situation of Hiroshima before , during and after the A bmb. The artifacts like clothes , dolls , pens etc of the children ( and also adults) is also displayed . You cannot leave the place except with tears. This visit also implies that war does no good except destroy families and generations. It’s all the more amazing to see the resilience of the Japanese people and how they bounced back stronger to build a strong society and economy built on morals , ethics, quality , discipline and utmost respect .

Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was a powerful and emotional experience. The exhibits are very informative and thoughtfully presented, reminding us of the importance of peace and understanding. Getting a ticket was very easy — you can buy it directly at the counter without any hassle, or purchase it online in advance if you prefer. The whole process was smooth and convenient. A must-visit place when you’re in Hiroshima. It’s not just a museum, but a moment of reflection that stays with you.

This is a fantastic museum, the man at the front was very very kind and explained what zones are allowed to take photos in and which ones you can't in English. There's so much to learn, so many older tools and traditional things regarding the Island. You can learn a lot about the Torii gate as they even have a small theater that plays a short video about the history of the Torii gate as well as the shrine, and it's in English! You can also learn about the ceremonies that took place at the shrine thousands of years ago, as well as how the island was before our time, such as how houses were set up, where the aqueducts and wells used to be, and amazing old block paintings. There's also a beautiful walk through area that includes a koi pond and an indoor area that's set up like how the houses used to look like, where you can sit under a kotatsu table and watch the koi (but you must take your shoes off in this area as its a traditional tatami room). There are also toilets available at the front.

The night before taking the bullet train from Kyoto to Hiroshima, I decided to brush up on my WWII history. As an American, I was heading to Hiroshima with my tail tucked between my legs. I was going to say I was Canadian. I felt beyond guilty. However, after doing hours of research, doing my best to gather information from all different sources, I didn't feel nearly as bad. I forgot about, and frankly didn't know about some of the unspeakable atrocities the Japanese committed: The Nanjing Massacre, Unit 731, Pearl Harbor, etc. I won't go too deep into it, but they were SAVAGES. There is a reason they can't have a standing army to this day. They were aligned with Adolf Hitler after all... As taboo as it is to say, I was on the train to Hiroshima with a kind of "F around and find out" attitude toward the whole situation. When I got off the train and met my tour guide and he asked where I'm from, I said "I'm American" without breaking eye contact. He pulled me to the side and whispered "just so you know, there is no ill will. It was a long time ago and an important part of history, but we love Americans now." It was almost like a "poor me" attitude. I was a little taken back, but just smiled and nodded. In my head I was wondering what they are teaching Japanese kids these days about WWII. When we started our tour of the Hiroshima Peace Museum, I started feeling guilty all over again. This was literal hell on earth. The mushroom cloud that the bomb caused doesn't even look real. It was straight apocalyptic. Throughout the museum, you see partially vaporized childrens clothes, the entire city absolutely decimated, kids faces with eye sockets gone, bodies with 3rd degree burns everywhere, dead babies, human shadows etched in stone steps, bodies stacked on top of each other, black acid rain, testimonies from citizens from other districts rushing in to help as no one understood radiation, etc. One thing that really stuck with me was years after, citizens of Hiroshima were ostracized, as people didn't know if radiation was contagious or not. The after effects from the bomb decades after it was dropped was something I never thought about. I left this section of the museum thinking how can we do this to each other? We are all one species. I'm not a crier, but I almost shed a tear in there. It was so heavy. The last section of the museum was the history portion, so I was hoping for at least some acknowledgement and responsibility for the events leading up to this. There was none. The Nanjing massacre had a sentence where it was referred to as "the Battle of Nanjing," and was almost just brushed off as a minor footnote. Pearl Harbor had two sentences, where they almost claimed it as a light flex. It reads: "The Pacific War began with the Japanese military landing and carrying out a surprise attack on the US base at Pearl Harbor. Japan held the advantage during the initial stage of the war, but in June 1942, the tide began to turn." Crazy. In this section my tour guide framed the US dropping the bomb to show their strength to Soviet Russia, with Japan just being an innocent pawn. He claimed Japan would have surrendered, which is just blatantly false. In reality, Japan was ready to sacrifice 100 million people to defend against an Allied invasion. They even used the phrase "Glorious Death of One Hundred Million" as a propaganda slogan. After this section, I couldn't get the phrase "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it" out of my head. Putting WWII history aside, EVERYONE should visit this museum. It shows first hand the atrocities and effects that come from nuclear war. It is subhuman. It will make you realize how we will destroy our beautiful planet if nuclear war breaks out. Nobody wins in the long run. You will leave with a heavy heart, but that's important. We should never play God. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

Yelp Review 2024 #211: Museums, monuments and memorials all serve as a reminder. A reminder of what had happened in the past so we may pick a better future and not repeat a bitter history. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum takes us back to a grim part of history: World War II. Many people are familiar with the European side of World War II, the Asian side? Not so much unless maybe you grew up in Asia. Unfortunately, my parents and grandparents lived through the war in a country that didn't want to play a part in it but had mass casualties because of Japan. For every war, there are people who want the war, and the innocent people that want nothing to do with it. Yes, Japan participated in the war but there are also innocent Japanese citizens that didn't want it. The Japanese government has been warned by the US to pull out of the war but they refused - so they say. Another story says Americans dropped leaflets for residents to evacuate the area. So, on August 6, 1945 at 8:15am, the US troops (Enola Gay, bomber and Col. Paul Tibetts, pilot) dropped the first atomic bomb called "Little Boy" in Hiroshima that killed thousands of people and resulted in radioactive contamination as well. The museum shows you what it was like in Hiroshima before and after the war. The severely damaged buildings with Atomic Bomb Dome/ Genbaku Dome (Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall) the only one left standing. The saddest part is seeing children's clothes, a bike and helmet. There are pictures and some of them are very graphic showing badly burned adults and other gruesome effects of the bombing. They have a new section with more items from the war donated by families of the survivors, and artwork by survivors. There are signs in English and Japanese. I suggest getting your tickets online - they're like $3 each and will save you from standing in long lines.

This museum is located at a corner of the Hiroshima peace memorial park, in memorizing the atomic bomb explosion 80 years ago near the end of the second world war. Nearby there is also the peace memorial park, the atomic bomb centre which is a must see if you travel to Hiroshima. The admission of the museum is 200 yen for adult and 100 yen for senior people. The museum is full of dynamic illustration of the atomic bomb explosion, precious photos with injured people, background stories and aftermath. It's a perfect place to self reflect and think about the meaning of life here, but I wouldn't recommend bringing small children for two reasons: - They might have nightmares after seeing terrifying photos of injured people with peeling/burnt skins. - It is super crowded inside the exhibition rooms and they have narrow hallways. A lot of the time we couldn't even move at all and find a way out. Overall it was a unique experience here.

An absolute must visit if you are going to spend time in Hiroshima. Should definitely be one of the first stops on your Hiroshima itinerary. There are two routes when you visit - a quick route, and a long, super detailed route that is the true museum. Take this route if you truly want to learn the history of the bombings. Very detailed and also very graphic so something to keep in mind. It's a very emotionally heavy experience to walk through. Plan about 2-3 hours depending on how much you want to immersive yourself with reading and observing everything. Costs less than $2 USD. In addition to the peace museum, take a walk in the surrounding plaza as there are others things to immerse yourself in. - Children's Peace Monument - Atomic Bomb Dome - Flame of Peace - Bell of Peace

A must do when visiting Hiroshima (if you're an adult). I went during November of 2024 and I did not need to reserve tickets ahead of time. There was hardly a wait as I went near the end of the day. Tip- Check hours ahead of time as it varies by the season. Allot about 2-3 hours to spend if you would like to fully absorb the collection. The museum gathers lots of artifacts, collects history, and reflects on the aftermath of the devastating effects of the nuclear bomb. I wouldn't recommend this for kids as the nature of the material is a bit dark, but for history buffs, it is important part of Japan.

My friends and I arrived here around 4:30pm on a Tuesday afternoon. We got the audio guides, which is not needed as the written narration is in Japanese and English. When we first entered the exhibition, the rooms had panoramic photos and remains of various buildings, clothes, houses, etc of the aftermath of the A-bomb. It was very saddening. In that room was a visual simulation of the bomb dropping and its effects. Looking at the photos and inscriptions were one thing but listening to the audio stories added another layer. You must get the audio to get the full experience. This museum does an amazing job to portray the horrific tragedy of the A-bomb on Hiroshima. It took us almost 1.5 hours to get through the permanent exhibit. You could get it done sooner but if you want to look and read at every single thing, 90 mins or so should be expected, especially if crowed. I learned a great deal of information that I never learned before... truly an emotional experience. I felt tearful at numerous points. Following that exhibit, you go to an area with an "A-bomb survivor video testimony". There is seating present. To the right is an area with 8 individual booths with more video testimonials. After we watched the videos, we went to the next exhibited that discussed the dangers of nuclear weapons and discussed both the bombs for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I was truly amazed at it all. Downstairs, there was an exhibit about nuclear bomb development and ceasing of testing. On the ground floor was a new arrivals exhibit along with the museum shop. The gift shop is small but sufficient. I highly recommend anyone doing this. I would allocate at least 3 hours. Some images were graphic and disturbing, so it may not be suitable for younger children unless you have or will have a discussion about it. While this experience informative, it was equally terrifying knowing that worse bombs have been made and tested.

I saved the Peace Memorial Museum for my last morning in Japan (after 2+ weeks in Japan and 1 week in Hiroshima), allotting about 2.5 hours after talking to others. Turns out I had to rush through the parts on the physics of the bomb and the city history in order not to miss my shinkansen to the airport. I had expected the main exhibition to be solemn and heavy, but I didn't expect to have tears down my cheek by the second item. Admittedly it was triggered by a mother's desperation for her child's unlikely survival, and that has always pained me deep all my life. History is complicated and always has been, but a mother's love isn't. I couldn't take pictures after that (I mean, I was allowed to, but I didn't), and probably immersed myself more than I thought I would. But the message from the museum was clear: no more Hiroshima. The question is, will we learn?

HIROSHIMA PEACE MUSEUM This is a great museum. I really appreciate how everything is easy to follow/there is an obvious path and order of things. There is a lot of information and interesting artefacts. I feel like I really learned a lot about the bomb. I am not someone who normally likes typical history or art museums, but I try to go to them when I travel, and I do think this one was fairly well-done. One interesting part that I remember was this video map that showed the area/radius before the bomb and then through after the bomb.

This museum is a must see when in the area. History was one of my least favorite subjects growing up but as an adult I fully regret that. Seeing what these people went through while visiting this museum was heart breaking. The detail and information the museum provided was very enlightening. Such a tragic time for everyone involved. Seeing and learning about these events and being in the exact space they were when it happened made it that much more emotional. Loved everything about the museum as well as the peace park surrounding it!

Staff: Everyone here was so friendly, welcoming, and appreciative of your visit. This has been the norm throughout Japan. Experience: This is an absolute must visit location when coming to Japan. The historical nature of this cannot be overstated. The museum is truly impressive with high tech and more simplistic exhibits to see first hand through the artifacts of lost souls and the words and art of survivors. Highly recommend making the trip to honor and pay respect to these amazing people lost or injured during one of the most historic events in human history. After touring the museum there is a really small gift shop. Outside be sure to visit the various monuments and the last building standing post the dropping of the bomb. Sorry out of respect for the victims I will not share any photos. Value: The price is very reasonable. Be sure to pick up a translation device that you listen to through your visit available for only an additional 400 yen. Pro tip: Give yourself at least 3-4 hours to truly appreciate the experience.

A definite "must visit" on a first visit to Japan or in the area. It's a professional museum on the Smithsonian level with actual artifacts from the bombing that will move you to tears.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum / Hiroshima -- My parents took me here when I was about 14, and I remember I was so obsessed with the A-bomb that I made a science fair exhibit about radiation fallout. I got a 'B' because my teacher didn't care for how I graphic I was in illustrating the impact. However, I was following the lead of what I saw in this museum. Back then, it was more singularly focused on the bombing and its aftermath which I recall left us exhausted, in particular, my mother who was a nineteen-year-old girl in a Tokyo suburb on August 6, 1945. All these years later, I noticed how the museum has expanded its scope to include life in Hiroshima before the bomb drop. The added context was invaluable. The destructive impact of the bomb was still the most devastating part of the museum with individual stories presented to humanize the after effects, some immediate and others lasting for years. The last section in the East Wing broadened the scope to address the dangers of nuclear proliferation. I know it all sounds clinical and foreboding, but it's a remarkable must-stop to raise your consciousness. RELATED - Exploring Japan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2qrUBZo

Hiroshima Peace Museum is sobering. Important period and aspect to the Japanese culture. It's a must visit when in Japan. The museum is well laid out and people are respectful when viewing the different segments. Its educational and harrowing at the same time. It can take between 2-4 hours to walk through the museum.

The accuracy of English translations accompanying the exhibits leave a lot to be desired. The physical layout is terrible and if crowded you will miss a lot. The presentation of video belongs in the 1970s which is probably the last time they updated the museum. For such an important subject, this place needs a comprehensive overhaul.

It's worth a visit because this was such a horrible incident in our history. However, in contrast to what you see in Europe, the museum in Japan doesn't paint a particularly realistic picture of what actually happened. Additionally there's also a lot of negative commentary even after the war, although the US paid to rebuild a lot of Japan. So I didn't necessarily agree with the politics of the museum however it did explain the struggle of the citizenry.

Renovated since my last visit a few years ago, this place is a must visit in Hiroshima. Admission is still 200 yen and free for middle schoolers and younger. For 200 yen, you could spend several hours easily. Using some latest technology, experience is more real than before. Not surprisingly, you don't hear anyone talking at all. Everyone is on their own world quietly reading the displays. Be prepared to walk and stand for a long time and wear comfortable shoes because you need one. Audio guide is available in several different languages should you prefer.

A beautiful dedication to peace. The museum is a must visit. It is powerful and emotional. The point is not about who's at fault, the point of it is that it must never happen again. They show images and tell stories, so as to feel the pain, the despair and the misery in the hopes that no more nuclear bombs be deployed due to its collective collateral damage. This was a powerful experience and very moving. Entry is inexpensive and we had no trouble getting in. They rent lockers for your small bags, no large bags allowed.

I'm glad we made the time to stop here at the Hiroshima Peace Museum. The main building is being renovated, but the east wing is open. For the 200 yen you pay (about $2 USD) I felt that it's more than worth it. You can't bring large bags here, but they have thoughtfully provided coin lockers. You pay 100 yen, but the coin is returned to you when you leave. As you can imagine, it is extremely heavy to read, hear and see all of the documentation and photos. The artifacts they display are intense: a ruined tricycle, burned/torn clothing etc. Since you are in Japan, the information comes from their perspective. What I like the best is that Hiroshima is trying to bring awareness to the horrors of nuclear war, while pressing for world peace and a de-nuclearized planet. The gift shop is "nice" which sounds weird. A recurring element is the origami crane, which symbolizes hope and healing. I bought a beautiful tiny ceramic crane as a souvenir. Make sure you take the time to walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and visit the Atomic Bomb Dome afterwards.

Learn about the horrific effects of the bombing of this city. While the museum has many artifacts, photos and remembrances on display, the most compelling part of the Peace Museum is a small presentation room actually under the stairs in the main floor of the museum. Here volunteers have become accredited story tellers of the bombing of Hiroshima. They tell the story so that the world never forgets. Their presentations last about 1 hour and retell the story of Sadako Sasaki and her life from the time the bomb exploded at 8:15 one morning. She was a Japanese girl who was 2 years old when the American atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, near her home next to the Misasa Bridge, but survived. Sasaki became the most widely known hibakusha - a Japanese term meaning "bomb-affected person". She is remembered through the story of the one thousand origami cranes she tried to fold before her death, and is to this day a symbol of the innocent victims of nuclear warfare. The female volunteer who told the story for our visit was often overcome while speaking "in voice" as Sadako. By the time she finished her presentation, her tears and the tears of those listening were shared as she joined us to thank us for our attendance that day. Set aside 3 hours for the presentation, the walk through the museum and the Ground Zero park with its inspiring memorials. Do not go to the museum without attending one of these Sadako Sasaki presentations. It will change your life, for the better. For excellent guides for the day, contact Triple Lights tour company for all over Japan. Just run a web search for that name. Request Michiru Azuma or Yuko for your Hiroshima tour guide, whichever are available.

We started our visit to the museum by watching the film in English that follows the stories of several people impacted by the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. By the end of the film, I wasn't the only one sobbing. I thought I knew a lot about the atomic bomb, but I learned so much more. The end game of this museum is to make the museumgoer aware of the terrible price society may pay during a war and instill the idea that diplomacy towards gaining world peace should be everyone's priority to keep this from happening again. They are also proponents of eliminating nuclear testing, and on view is a strongly written letter from early 2019 asking the United States to stop nuclear testing.

For years, I have been wanting to visit Hiroshima, specifically the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. I'm not sure why exactly it took a long time but I think a big part of it was a) the ride from Tokyo to Hiroshima is quite far b) it would be a sombering experience. I wanted to visit the museum as the main building's exhibition "The Reality of the Atomic Bombing" was being opened in April 2019 and so, the timing was right and I'm glad I went. The museum began construction a few years after the atomic bomb was detonated over Hiroshima and the museum officially opened in August 1955. Prior to that, displays of atomic bomb materials were first shown in September 1949 but since the rebuilding of Hiroshima, the city has been known for being a city of peace. And during your walk to the museum, you'll notice that there are monuments and dedicates nearby. Here are photos while walking to the museum. One thing I do recommend before visiting, please visit the location Google Maps. You will see what is available on your walk to the museum. The first thing you do once you get inside is purchase your tickets. For the most part, just know that if you get there before 5:00 p.m. and after 8:30 a.m., you should be good. The price for admission is Y200 for adults, high school students have to pay Y100 (unless it's a high school trip, as 20 or more is free) and junior high school students and younger are free. As of right now due to COVID-19, the number of visitors has been limited and so 150 reservation vouchers are given out per half hour. The museum does not recommend people to come if they have a fever are coughing, have a sore throat or shortness of breath. Temperatures are now being taken and you must wear a mask. Once you go in, you will see numerous signs. What you see at the museum is presented in both Japanese and English. After paying, the first thing you are going to see is "Hiroshima before the bombing". Photos of Hiroshima and the smiling faces of students in the area. On August 6, 1945, it was a normal day in Hiroshima and its estimated population of 340,000-350,000 people. The city was known for its industrial and military significance and it was the headquarters of the Field Marshal Shunroku Hata's Second General Army, which commanded the defense of all of southern Japan and it was located inside Hiroshima Castle. Hiroshima served as a supply and logistics base for the Japanese military. The Japanese wondered why there were no firebombings in the city but for the American military, Hiroshima was a primary target, Kokura and Nagasaki were alternative targets. The 393d Bombardment Squadron B-29 Enola Gay, took off from North Field, Tinian for a six hour flight from Japan. Accompanied by two other B-29's, the Great Artiste and Necessary Evil (the photography aircraft) An alert was given by the radio broadcasting that bombers were flying towards Saga at 00:05. Around 7:09, the all-clear was sounded over Hiroshima. At 8:09, the bomb known as "Little Boy" (which carried 141 pounds of Uranium) was released at about 31,000 feet at 8:15 a.m. The detonation height was about 1,900 feet above the city. After dropping the bomb, the Enola Gay was 11.5 miles before it felt the shockwaves from the blast. Because of crosswind, the bomb missed its aiming point, the Aioi Bridge and detonated over Shima Surgical Clinic. Around 80,000 people, 30% of the population of Hiroshima were killed by the blast or firestorm., Another 70,000 were injured and 20,000 Japanese military personnel were killed. Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was a lot more than I expected. It was an eye-opening experience and while it was no doubt sad, there are lessons to be learned. Important lessons that deal with what a nuclear bomb can do and through the experiences of the victims and the vast amount of information collected, no one wants to see another Hiroshima tragic event happen in our lifetime. This visit to the museum was long overdue and was on my bucketlist for a very long time and for those considering visiting this museum, I highly recommend it. You won't forget the experience.

I have been to the Peace Park in Nagasaki and now Hiroshima. It is a deeply emotional place. It disturbs, unsettles, the way it is intended to do. NUKES LEAVE THEIR DAMAGE for decades. Hiroshima was a bustling, modern, sophisticated place before it was bombed in August 1945. It is again, a beautiful, sophisticated, thriving, artistic, unique city. Peaceful and beautiful. Green, lots of gorgeous flora. EVERYONE SHOULD VISIT THIS PLACE.

The park here is so tranquil and ominously inviting to explore. I personally liked the dome and the reflecting pool surrounded by all of the beautiful trees. The best parts of this area are absolutely free to see and visit. The "museum" here at the park is pretty low rent by western standards. I would probably call this an exhibit. Downstairs there is a few artifacts from the blast but many of the items upstairs are replicas from the event. It's pretty much 4th grade history facts placed along the walls upstairs. I was anxious to see any war propaganda on the little information outtakes scattered across the walls but there was only really one that was severely misleading. That one was of course Japans "occupation" of china and no mention of what they did there to those people. Horrific is the word that comes to mind. Google that if your an American and feel bad about Hiroshima. Egh it's so hard to write a review on this place without adding some sort of ideal stamp on it! Still this is one of those places you gotta see if visiting Japan for sure.

This place was both beautiful and depressing at the same time. The section about the bombing and the victims are very graphic. It can definitely be tough to stomach for many however it is history. You can walk the grounds around outside over to the dome or stay within the museum itself. If you want to see a part of history that's told in a manner that will pull all your heart strings then I recommend at least visiting this museum. It's reality but you will feel the emotion of the people there with you.

Admission was $2 each with reduced rates for children and seniors over 65. There was no wait to get inside the museum but lots of school groups from all over the world. We started inside Hiroshima before the atomic bomb, a bustling city. There was a visual explosion in front of us & we saw the devestation . We saw photos & videos of dead bodies, heard parents describe holding their dying children in their arms. We saw toys & clothing that survived the bomb, photos of damaged bodies. We saw the effects of the bomb on people, families, society. The children born with birth defects & hope for the future. There was a resource center & small gift shop. The free shuttle bus picked us up in front.

TLDR; a grounding, somber experience...a must see when you're in the area. If you're ever in the area, please do yourself a favor and make a stop at the museum. I don't want to spoil it so I won't go into much details about my experience. The museum is divided into various sections where you can learn different aspects of the whole atomic bombing. You'll learn how events lead to this, hear video testimonies, and even see pictures and artifacts from after the bombing. I would suggest coming early to avoid the crowds. There's a good amount of reading but it's all very interesting. And because of that, it takes awhile to go through the museum since you have to wait for other to finish reading. As others have said, it's heavy and it's hard to see and read what they went through. But at the end of the museum, there's a whole section about peace and how to move forward from this. And you end the museum on a lighter note, hoping something like this never happens again.

During my travels, I've been to many of the world's greatest museums; the Met in New York, the Louvre in Paris, the Egyptian in Cairo, and the list goes on and on. Up to this point, it was the 9/11 Memorial & Museum that most took my breath away, that simultaneously captivated and horrified, a stark reminder of an event that defined a generation. After visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, it's the only experience that was comparable to the latter, a staggering display of the horror of the world's most powerful bomb. The museum, stunningly renovated in 2017 and only half complete as of 2018 while the other half is designed, leaves you remorseful, morose, and deeply moved. The innocence lost, the lives irreversibly changed, a city obliterated in the blink of an eye, it is all so sad and moving but must be reflected upon. You see the damage to the clothing of the deceased, and witness the stark contrast between a bustling city before and a wasteland afterward. You hear details from survivors of the horrendous conditions of the victims. You gaze upon rarely-viewed photographs that chronicle the event in sickening detail, and learn of the stories of loved ones who never found each other, the school children near ground zero, and the heroics of townspeople. This is a must see for anyone who visits Hiroshima, a town now boldly reborn.

Beautiful, it was educational and emotional have the time I had to sit down to make sure I don't cry or throw up.

Really wonderful and shows so many aspects of the war and the bomb. They explore every facet. As an American I did think that the bombing of Pearl Harbor was a little under discussed but the story is not about the war as as much as the bomb. Very well curated.

This is definitely a MUST VISIT museum. Not only for the history but to pay respect to the lives lost that we remember them and hear their stories. When we visited, the main floor was closed so unfortunately, we did not get to see that part. Too bad. From the brochure, it looks like the main floor where the gift shop is located is free admission and only the top floor was paid but it could just be a lost in translation thing because when we first entered the front door, we were ushered to the reception desk to pay the entrance fee of 200 yen. Definitely check this place out. It's very chilling to see the children's clothes soiled in blood and debris but so important to remember them. We must acknowledge our past for a better future.

A must visit in Hiroshima. Walking through the museum you will learn the history of the atomic bomb and the decision to use it on Hiiroshima and Nagasaki. You will learn the affects of the bomb and the after affects on the living survivors. One cannot get emotional when visiting as you see many items affected by the bomb. The lives of family and their loved ones who died by the after affects. I cried as I read the stories. As I left, I felt anger, sorrow, and grief for what happened in the past. But with a full vigilance that something like this should never happen again to anyone.

Heartbreaking and horrifying. But something everyone should see, and should consider. There is no justification for weapons of mass destruction, and it must never happen again. My favorite part was reading the thoughtful personal notes from world leaders and prominent figures who visited the museum. And I'm struck by the fact that President Obama was the first U.S. president to visit. I'm very glad he did, and it appears that many Japanese appreciated it too.

Currently under partial renovation, 200Y gets you entry to the main part, which is still plenty to see. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum focuses more on reflecting and the humanity of the bombing rather than on the history behind it; as long as you go into it with an open mind and a grain of salt, you will walk away having learned something. In all fairness, the museum does discuss the history of the bombing with rose colored glasses; while it focuses so heavily on peace, the museum's historical accounts choose very careful wording that gloss over the incidents leading up to the bombing of Hiroshima. For example, Koreans "forced into labor" are mentioned as 1/10 killed in the bombing, but there is no real discussion of what led up to that, which was Japanese imperialism that forced Koreans into slave labor and sexual slavery. That type of stuff. The museum does play largely on emotions, but do realize that its focus is humanity more than history. Regardless of what country you are from or what you believe about history, one thing you'll realize is that people are people, and war hurts everybody in the end. Strong chances that this museum will be extremely crowded with tons of kids on a field trip, so shimmy around them as required, or wait until they push through before you start. Take your time, and don't be afraid to feel.

Having gone here in 2016 I felt this was a must do in Hiroshima. The museum was hard to walk through because you hear (if you understand Japanese) parents explaining to their children (all ages) this is what your grand parents experienced. You hear about this in school but you never get an understanding unless you are there and reading and seeing for yourself what the survivors went through. I used what photos I took there and used to teach it during my student teaching. So it was a great experience and would hope that everyone who goes to Hiroshima to visit this memorial.

This is one of my favorite places I visited during my 2-week Japan tour. It's a very clean and well-organized museum that features videos and recollections from both survivors and casualties of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima. The stories are haunting and emotional reminders of the horrors of the bomb and its aftermath. The museum presents history before, during, and after the bomb in attempt to paint a complete picture of what happened without putting any blame on anyone. Even though I already knew much about the event before visiting the museum, it was still an eye-opening experience. There are only 2 things I wish it included more of: 1) Info about the Nagasaki bomb, which was barely mentioned at all. 2) More information about the events leading up the Japan's involvement in WW2. Most of the information provided at the terminals about the war itself is a tiny summary of what can be found from Wikipedia and other resources.

It was a very touching visit to the museum. A lot of artifacts, left-behinds from the atomic bombing we're displayed at the museum. I find most of the stories of people affected by the bombing to be really touching and sad. For every pieces of leftovers, there's a story behind. It's really touching. I can't help but to have a moment of silent for every story that I read there. The images of peeling skin from the body of those affected we're horrible. My visit to the museum definitely teach me something valuable. Humans' life are valuable. And yea, the story of the girl folding the paper Crane, don't forget to hold back your emotion. The entrance fee is 50 ¥. Worth a visit.

My favorite part about visiting Japan hands down. It's very self guided so you can go at your own pace. There's a ton of history built into the descriptions of each display but you can also walk around since everything is beautiful to look at. Brought me to tears. If you're already in Hiroshima, you should go.

Visiting Hiroshima, Japan and this museum was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had. (It ranks up there with my visit to the genocide memorials in Rwanda.) This museum presents evidence of how awful war can be. They display items that survived the atomic bomb, including clothing and toys. The most impactful pieces are the wax statue portrayals of victims of the bomb. As a United States citizen, I felt it was particularly important for me to visit this museum. The events that occurred in Hiroshima during the war are an unfortunate part of the history of my country. If you don't leave this museum telling yourself "never again," you must not have been paying attention.

I have visited this museum numerous times on my various trips to Japan. I think this last round was visit #3. My Japanese friends were saying that there was a little controversy surrounding one of the displays. I think it was the diorama depicting survivors right after the explosion with the tattered clothing and skin hanging off their bodies. Someone here on yelp posted a picture of it; the one with the woman and child with a burned out building in the background. I was told that display was a bit disturbing so they might have done something different with it. In my past visits I always remember seeing that display. This time around it wasn't there, so I guess they took it down. I think they should have left the display. It's a realistic depiction of what happened. I don't think you should water it down and give a sugar coated version of the events that took place here. I think things should be presented as they were, raw, and real. I got really teary eyed reading some of the first hand accounts of survivors. The saddest stories were the ones of mothers and friends giving their accounts of watching their children and loved ones die in front of them from the after effects of the bomb.

Visiting Hiroshima was a bucket list item for me. Upon arriving in Hiroshima, I was a little bit nervous about speaking English. I had never been to Hiroshima before and I wasn't exactly sure how the atmosphere was, but in the end it was fine. I'm not a crier, but my eyes definitely welled up at some of the things I saw in the museum. This is a place that everyone needs to visit at least once in their life. My only gripe was that their souvenir selection was pretty small as I wanted to bring a couple of things back to share with my friends.

Definitely worth a visit if you're already here. You may take pictures but no flash please. Japanese peeps don't play. You will be put in your place. Extremely sad but educational place. A terrible day in history in deed. Spend no more than 2 hours here because it's too depressing in my opinion. Read the story of the little girl Sadako. It was amazing following her timeline from start to her unfortunate finish. I really felt as if I was struggling with her as I read about her journey. Her story was so beautifully told. I recommend going here after you finished all the memorials around the park and when you're done head straight to Miyajima to put a huge smile on your face. You'll need some happiness after leaving Hiroshima.

Even locals get to appreciate this musuem. The addition of AV rooms where survivor testimonials are played helps visitors understand the loss and suffering brought by the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Heartbreaking, and horrifying. Well worth your time to visit... this type of tragedy should never happen again.

Peeling, dripping skin and visible bones. The raspy cries of extreme thirst. Black rain water falling from the sky. These are just a few scenes of the horrific images portrayed at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Some other emotional images include a totally blackened lunch box of a school boy, where the contents were completely disintegrated. Or the actual glass shards pulled from the skin of survivors years after the bombings. And the historic black shadow of a person sitting outside of a bank building waiting for the doors to open. Nothing but his shadow remains. The day we visited, there were soooo many visitors, making it a little difficult to absorb the history of the atomic bombing of World War II. The final exhibit is a photograph of the first wildlife growing in the ruins of Hiroshima. It was said that nothing would grow for 75 years, but this little plant proved that with perseverance, anything is possible. One aspect I have mixed feelings about is the impact books at the end of the museum, where visitors are able to write down their impressions of the museum. Flipping though the books, most of the comments were possible and respectful, but there were some awful people who write negative or hurtful things. Makes me lose faith in humanity.

I give this museum one star because for me, it portrays the aggressor as being the victim rather than taking accountability for the actions leading to such violence. This review is based on an actual consumer experience and is primarily relevant to my experience and the nature of this business. This is a historical museum preserving WWII history, therefore, historical content relating to that war is appropriate. This is the Hiroshima peace museum. It is a beautiful and peaceful park. Everywhere I visited in Japan was beautiful and peaceful. All the mountains. All the rivers. All the neat buildings. There was virtually no crime, people were polite, I learned to love sushi, and best of all, I had fun. Plus, I didn't have to tip at the restaurants! The museum focuses too much on horrific scenery and recovered artifacts while neglecting to educate its guests of Japan's transgressions. The museum promotes pacifism without acknowledging that it would have proved useless in stopping the war. We were four American musicians eager to learn some history. There were school children on field trips giving us the stare like we were violating their sanctuary. It made us feel as if we did this to them for no reason and they still don't know why. As it turns out, there was very little history to learn there, aside from how much they suffered. I've learned that the Japanese Ministry of Education chooses not to focus too much on history in their education. They must approve all educational material, and it must not contain any atrocities that Japan has unleashed onto the planet. As I understand the history that I was taught, Hiroshima, Tokyo, and Nagasaki were major industrial factories to the war effort. Tokyo was bombed with incendiaries many times but Hirohito refused to accept a peaceful resolution. Hirohito means "abundant benevolence" by the way. Didn't the allies drop millions of leaflets on major cities warning citizens to seek safety in rural zones? Was it illegal to take heed to such psychological nonsense? Weren't there tens of thousands of conscripted Korean slaves forced into labor here and in Nagasaki? How long did it take for Japan to treat those injured Korean slave survivors? Didn't a bunch of Mitsubishis fly over Hawaii? We didn't get to learn about any of that while we were there. If we want to maintain peace in the world, halt aggression, and live in harmony, we must acknowledge our lessons from the past and teach the truth! Does Japan teach their children about the Rape of Nanking? Do they know what Ishii was doing with his logs in Manchuria? What about Operation Cherry Blossoms at Night? It has been said they cultivated enough bubonic plague to kill the world many times over, and their target was The United States. One thing is clear. They know who Truman is and what he did to their peaceful city.

Oh stop. It's well presented but the contention that we dropped the bomb "because it was expensive and we needed to justify the cost" is absurd. Virtually no mention of Japanese atrocities in China or Southeast Asia. Most of it is anti-nuke which is fine but there's a pretty flagellant undertone where they're playing the victim card. I love Japan and the people but this was disappointing.