Atomic Bomb Memorial Tower

The Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound is a memorial ossuary established in 1955. A stone tower stands on a grassy mound modeled after an imperial mausoleum from the Momoyama period, and inside is a columbarium. It houses the remains of an estimated 70,000 people whose relatives could not be found—such as entire families wiped out—as well as unidentified remains. Because this location is close to the hypocenter, countless bodies were cremated here, including those scattered across the area and those recovered from the rivers. In 1946, a temporary memorial mound, ossuary, and prayer hall were built through donations from local citizens. Later, Hiroshima City led reconstruction and improvements, collecting unclaimed remains that had been scattered in various places, resulting in the site as it exists today. Every year on August 6, a joint memorial service is held in front of the mound by representatives of many religions and denominations, and on the 6th of every month a regular memorial ceremony is also conducted by related parties. Access to the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound is via Hiroshima Electric Railway (streetcar) by getting off at "Atomic Bomb Dome" stop. It is located just south of the southern end of the Aioi Bridge Connector Bridge on the west side of Peace Memorial Park, and it is also close to the Children’s Peace Monument.