Clock Tower of Peace is a 20-metre memorial clock in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park at 1 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima 730-0811, Japan. Designed by Shoji Ohata and completed on 28 October 1967 for the Hiroshima Rijo Lions Club, it commemorates the 1945 atomic bombing through a daily 8:15 a.m. chime. Travelers stop here for its spare modern form, its direct view into the park’s landscape of remembrance, and a quiet moment between the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum.
What to Expect at Clock Tower of Peace
This is an outdoor memorial rather than a building visitors enter. Three iron pillars rise and twist at 60-degree angles before meeting beneath a spherical clock face visible in three directions. The geometric supports are intended to evoke praying hands and an enduring hope for peace. At the tower’s base, pause to read the surrounding setting rather than rushing through: the monument stands among the lawns, paths, waterways and memorials of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, on ground once central to the city before 6 August 1945.
The defining experience is the clock’s daily toll at 8:15 a.m., the time the atomic bomb detonated over Hiroshima. Arrive a few minutes early if hearing it matters to your visit; the moment is brief and calls for quiet observation. The tower was erected after the decision to permanently preserve the nearby Atomic Bomb Dome, making it part of Hiroshima’s postwar memorial landscape rather than a surviving prewar structure. It works especially well as a short, reflective stop while walking the park’s principal north-south route between the Dome, Cenotaph and museum.
- Three-direction clock: A spherical timepiece faces outward from the tower’s summit, allowing it to be read from multiple park paths.
- 8:15 a.m. chime: The daily toll marks the exact time of the atomic bombing on 6 August 1945.
- Twisted iron pillars: Three 60-degree, geometrically arranged supports form the monument’s distinctive 20-metre silhouette.
- Shoji Ohata design: The 1967 work is a concise example of postwar Japanese memorial modernism.
- Peace Park location: The tower is an easy walking link between the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims and the Peace Memorial Museum.
Clock Tower of Peace at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima 730-0811, Japan |
| Neighborhood / Area | Nakajima-cho, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, central Naka Ward |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours daily; the outdoor monument is freely accessible |
| Admission / Price Range | Free; no ticket or reservation is required |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 15 to 30 minutes, or longer when combined with the park memorials |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Genbaku Dome-mae on Hiroshima Electric Railway lines 2, 3, 6 and 7; no dedicated visitor car park |
| Official Website & Phone | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum; +81 82-241-4004 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For the most meaningful visit, come shortly before 8:15 a.m. to hear the chime, then continue through the park before larger school and tour groups arrive. At other times, early morning and the hour before dusk offer a calmer atmosphere and softer light on the ironwork. There is no admission desk, bag check, indoor gallery or formal photography restriction at this open-air monument, but visitors should keep voices low and avoid obstructing people paying respects.
From Genbaku Dome-mae tram stop, cross toward Peace Boulevard and enter the park; the tower is a short walk south of the Atomic Bomb Dome. The park’s main routes are broad, paved and generally level, making the approach workable for wheelchairs, strollers and visitors who need frequent pauses; seating is available along paths and near memorial areas. Drivers should use paid commercial parking around Kamiya-cho or Hondori rather than expect on-site parking. Pair the tower with the Atomic Bomb Dome, roughly five minutes away on foot, the Cenotaph and Peace Memorial Museum, and the riverside paths along the Motoyasu River.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Clock Tower of Peace open, and when should I go?
The monument is outdoors and open around the clock throughout the year. Visit just before 8:15 a.m. for its daily chime, or choose early morning for a quieter walk through Peace Memorial Park.
Is there an admission charge or reservation requirement?
Viewing the Clock Tower of Peace is free and does not require a ticket or reservation. Budget separately if you plan to visit the nearby Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which has its own entry procedures and opening schedule.
How much time should I allow?
Allow 15 to 30 minutes to examine the structure, hear the chime if timed correctly, and walk its immediate section of the park. Set aside two to three hours if adding the Atomic Bomb Dome, Cenotaph, Children’s Peace Monument and museum.
Is the Clock Tower of Peace accessible for families and wheelchair users?
Yes. It is an open-air sight reached by generally level paved park paths, with no stairs or entry threshold at the monument itself. Families are welcome, though the subject matter of the surrounding memorial landscape can be emotionally intense; the site is best approached with respectful supervision.
When planning your Hiroshima travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Hiroshima, pair this stop with standout local spots including Teppen, Atomic Bomb Dome, Nagataya, and Children's Peace Monument (0.1 km away).
