The area of the epicenter is all one big memorial and it is a moving and devastating place to visit. This is the memorial centograph housing the names of all the victims of the A-bomb. The arch over it is to provide shelter for their souls. The epitaph on the centograph reads “Please rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the error”
The inscription on the front panel offers a prayer for the peaceful repose of the victims and a pledge on behalf of all humanity never to repeat the evil of war. It expresses the spirit of Hiroshima — enduring grief, transcending hatred, pursuing harmony and prosperity for all, and yearning for genuine, lasting world peace.
This post has a lot of words. Many inscriptions are so eloquent. And I am not finding words or that the pictures can express the experience. In a world with so much war and violence, I hope we can all be better messengers for peace in whatever ways we can.
The inscriptions all talk about hope for world peace. And, going through what they did, they have a perspective only Nagasaki can share. Anyone else remember reading “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes”? this is the Children’s Peace Monument with her at the top and many artworks of paper cranes on display around it. Mostly made by children. Monument to the students who were mobilized in the war effort. Almost 7000 died in the attack. It is decorated with Goddess of Peace as well as eight doves which are placed around the tower. To the sides of the tower are plaques which depict the work that the students did, such as factory work, female students sewing, or showing students working to increase food production. The bomb exploded 600 meters above and 160 meters southwest of this building. Because is was almost directly above, it left some vertical walls standing and the iron frame of the dome. The A-Bomb DomeNot a map, but pre war photos I think there was another two-sides of the room photo of after. But that’s when I needed to stop taking pictures and slowly take it all in.
Here’s a couple from the internet:
This is near the entrance of the actual museum. It is dark in there – no windows. So quiet even though there were a lot of people. It was so frank in its descriptions and pictures and art and quotes from family left behind. I took a a quiet walk later around the grounds to cry and process. And I came upon the burial mound with the lights just come onAnd the Bell of Peace. I rang it three times. One didn’t seem enough. And then I was on the other side and found the fountain dedicated to all who died asking for or wishing for water.
You should go here if you can. It is an experience I will carry forward for my lifetime.
Jessica Wandering 
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