Excursion Peace memorial park & museum tour at Hiroshima

Explore the pathos of war and impact of the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima during this compelling, half-day sightseeing excursion to the Hiroshima Peace Park Memorial & Museum.

Hiroshima, Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Memorials, Monuments, Museums, Lecture Halls

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum. The location of the park was once the busiest downtown commercial and residential district, and it was subsequently built on an open field created by the explosion. Today, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is home to many memorials, monuments, museums, and lecture halls, and draws over a million visitors annually. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer from a nuclear attack at the end of World War II, on August 6, 1945. The park also honours the memories of the bomb’s direct and indirect victims, which number well over 200,000 people.

Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall Remains, Arched Tomb Cenotaph, Stone Chest

Upon arrival, proceed for a stop at the skeletal remains of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the only building left standing near the hypocentre of the bomb's blast. The hall’s hollowed dome, appropriately named the ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’, was intentionally left in ruins as a stark visual reminder of the bomb’s destruction. During a stop at the Arched Tomb Cenotaph, you may take a moment to remember the victims of the bomb. Each one of the 220,000 victims’ names are inscribed on the stone chest beneath the arch.

Museum Visit, Displays, Personal Belongings, Compelling Photographs, Related Stories, Shopping

Your final stop is at the Museum, which consists of two buildings depicting the history of Hiroshima and day of the atomic bomb. The displays include personal belongings, compelling photographs, and stories of the sadness and aftermath of the bomb. In sharp contrast to the atrocities of war and atomic bomb, bear witness to the miraculous, decades-long recovery of Hiroshima, whose remarkable restoration is truly inspiring in its scope. Following your visit, you may opt to re-board your coach for the drive back to the pier or remain in the city for shopping and exploration at your leisure, then return to the ship on your own.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Hiroshima, Cenotaph for the A-bomb, Atomic Bomb Dome

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1.1 miles (about 1.8 kilometres), at times over uneven, cobblestone, and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 50-60 steps at the sites visited; a lift is available at the museum. Walking at the Peace Memorial Museum is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a sweater or light jacket, bottled water, and Japanese Yen or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Although credit cards are mostly accepted, Japanese yen is required for any purchases; guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior to the cruise. Guests must be at least 12 years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Guests must be at least 20 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Infrastructure in Hiroshima may be basic, and local conditions may be challenging; coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other ports. Therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique, less-touristic destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in this area is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring regions, as vehicles and guides are brought in from the whole region. This may be reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding. Guests will see sensitive material, including graphic pictures and displays of atrocities of war, on display in the Peace Memorial Museum. Expect crowds and long lines at the sites visited. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The tour sequence may vary.