Peace Bell

The Peace Bell was erected in 1964 as a symbol for achieving a peaceful world without nuclear weapons or war. Anyone is free to ring it, with the hope that its sound will resonate to every corner of the world and seep into the hearts of each and every person.
The bell was created by the late Masahiko Katori, a Living National Treasure. On its surface is a world map without national borders, symbolizing "The world is one." The atomic symbol on the striking block carries the wish for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and on the opposite side a mirror is set in place, reflecting the heart of the person who rings the bell. Lotus plants grow in the surrounding pond—these are "Ōga lotus" grown from 2,000-year-old seeds excavated from a site in Chiba City. They are meant to comfort the spirits of atomic bomb victims, recalling stories of survivors easing the pain of burns by covering them with lotus leaves. Access to the Peace Bell is via the streetcar from JR Hiroshima Station: get off at "Genbaku Dome-mae" (Atomic Bomb Dome). It is located near the northern tip of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, with the Atomic Bomb Dome across the river.