Nagasaki Peace Park

Nagasaki Peace Park (長崎平和公園, Nagasaki Heiwa Kōen) is a profound and somber space built to commemorate the victims of the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945. Located on a low hill north of the explosion’s hypocenter, the park serves as a global appeal for nuclear disarmament and the pursuit of international harmony. It is the focal point of a wider commemorative area that includes the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and the National Peace Memorial Hall, all of which are situated within a convenient 10-minute walk of one another.

The park’s most striking feature is the 10-meter-tall Peace Statue, unveiled in 1955 by Nagasaki sculptor Kitamura Seibo. The monument’s pose is deeply symbolic: the right hand points toward the sky to warn of the threat of nuclear weapons, while the extended left hand signifies eternal peace. The statue’s eyes are closed in a silent prayer for the souls of the deceased. In front of the monument stands the Fountain of Peace, constructed in the shape of a dove’s wings. It was dedicated to the memory of the victims who died searching for water after the blast; a nearby stone tablet is inscribed with the words of a child who survived the initial explosion but suffered from agonizing thirst.

Adjacent to the main park is the Hypocenter Park, marked by a black stone monolith at the exact point over which the bomb detonated at an altitude of 500 meters. Nearby, a surviving pillar of the Urakami Cathedral remains in its original location, serving as a visceral reminder of the scale of destruction. Today, the park also features a “Symbols of Peace” zone containing various monuments donated by nations from around the world, reinforcing the collective hope that Nagasaki remains the final city in history to ever experience an atomic attack.

Visitor Information
Address	7-8 Matsuyamamachi, Nagasaki, 852-8118 (Google Maps)
Opening Hours	Park: Open 24 hours Atomic Bomb Museum: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Price	Park: Free Atomic Bomb Museum: Adults ¥200 / Students ¥100
Website	Visit Website

Access
Station / Stop	Line / Bus	Access Details
Peace Park (Heiwa Koen)	Nagasaki Streetcar Line 1 or 3	A 3-minute walk from the tram stop.
Nagasaki Station	JR Kyushu	Take the streetcar bound for Akasako (approx. 15 mins).