The Flame of Peace (平和の灯, Heiwa no Tomoshibi) is a bronze-and-stone memorial at 1 Nakajimacho in Hiroshima‘s Naka Ward, set inside Peace Memorial Park just north of the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims. Lit on August 1, 1964, it has burned continuously ever since and will keep burning, in the city’s words, until the day nuclear weapons vanish from the earth. Travelers come to stand at one of the park’s quietest and most symbolic points, where architecture, memory, and a long-running political promise meet in a single flame.
What to Expect at the Flame of Peace
The monument was designed by Kenzo Tange, then a professor at the University of Tokyo, who also planned the layout of Peace Memorial Park itself. The pedestal represents a pair of wrists pressed together with the palms opened wide toward the sky. The gesture recalls the thirst of the victims, many of whom died begging for water after the 1945 bombing, and the form is read as both consolation and appeal: an appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons and for lasting world peace. The flame rises from the cupped space between the hands.
The setting is as important as the sculpture. The Flame sits on the park’s central axis, directly behind the Cenotaph and aligned with the Atomic Bomb Dome, so the three structures form one continuous line of sight. Most visitors stop here after walking through the Cenotaph’s arch. The mood is hushed, and the site is open around the clock, which makes early morning and after-dark visits especially contemplative.
- Kenzo Tange’s design: The sculptural pedestal abstracts two hands joined at the wrists, palms open to the sky, a form widely interpreted as an offering of water to the victims.
- The eternal flame: Ignited on August 1, 1964, the fire has burned without interruption, tied to the pledge to keep it alight until nuclear weapons are abolished worldwide.
- The park’s central axis: From the Flame you can look back through the Cenotaph’s arch toward the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the most photographed and deliberate sightlines in Japan.
- Quiet reflection: Because it sits north of the Cenotaph, away from the museum entrance flow, it tends to be calmer than the park’s busiest corners.
- Around-the-clock access: There are no gates or opening times, so the monument can be visited at dawn, at night, or on August 6 during the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony.
Flame of Peace at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima 730-0811, Japan (north of the Cenotaph, inside Peace Memorial Park) |
| Neighborhood / Area | Nakajima, Peace Memorial Park, Naka Ward |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours, every day |
| Admission / Price Range | Free; outdoor public monument |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 10 to 20 minutes on its own; 2 to 3 hours with the rest of the park |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | About 5 minutes on foot from Genbaku Dome-mae tram stop (Hiroden); no dedicated parking in the park |
| Official Website & Phone | peace-tourism.com · +81 82-504-2390 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
The simplest route is the Hiroshima Electric Railway (Hiroden) streetcar to Genbaku Dome-mae, followed by a walk of roughly five minutes into the park, with the Flame located just north of the Cenotaph. Peace Memorial Park is a pedestrian-oriented space with wide, paved, mostly level paths, so wheelchair and stroller travel is generally straightforward. Because there is no ticketing or reservation, timing is a matter of mood: mornings are cooler and quieter, evenings bring soft lighting and fewer tour groups. August 6 draws very large crowds for the memorial ceremony, so plan around it if you prefer solitude.
Pair the visit with the neighboring sites within a short walk: the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims directly to the south, the Atomic Bomb Dome a few minutes away along the Motoyasu River, and the Peace Memorial Museum on the park’s main axis. The city’s Hiroshima Peace Tourism site offers recommended routes and story pages for other sites in the area, including the Peace Memorial Park Rest House and the former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Flame of Peace’s opening hours and best time to visit?
The monument is outdoors in Peace Memorial Park and open 24 hours a day. Early morning and evening are the quietest and most reflective times, while August 6 is the busiest day because of the annual memorial ceremony.
Is there an admission fee?
No. The Flame of Peace is a free public monument with no tickets or reservations required, so it suits a $ budget. Visit information is available through the official Hiroshima Peace Tourism page.
How long should I plan to spend here?
Ten to twenty minutes is enough to see the sculpture and absorb the sightline toward the Atomic Bomb Dome. Most travelers fold it into a two-to-three-hour walk through the wider park and museum.
Is it accessible and suitable for families?
Yes. The surrounding park paths are wide, paved, and largely level, which works for wheelchairs and strollers. The subject matter is solemn, so older children benefit most; visitors are expected to behave quietly and respectfully.
When planning your Hiroshima travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Hiroshima, pair this stop with standout local spots including KIRO Hotel Hiroshima, Casino, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph (nearby).
