About the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (広島平和記念資料館) stands as the world's most comprehensive collection documenting the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945. Located within Peace Memorial Park, this essential destination draws over 1.7 million visitors annually from around the globe.
The museum underwent a complete renovation completed in 2019, transforming its approach from displaying artifacts in glass cases to creating an immersive, chronological journey through that fateful day and its aftermath. The redesign focuses on individual stories – personal belongings, photographs, and testimonies that put human faces to unimaginable tragedy.
Visiting the Peace Memorial Museum is not a typical tourist experience. It's a profound encounter with history that visitors describe as life-changing. The exhibits pull no punches in depicting the horror of nuclear warfare, but they ultimately deliver a message of hope and the importance of peace.
Ticket Types and Prices
| Ticket Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (General Admission) | ¥200 | Ages 19 and above |
| High School Student | ¥100 | With valid student ID |
| Junior High & Under | Free | Children 15 and under |
| Audio Guide Rental | ¥400 | Available in 20+ languages |
| Klook Advance Booking | ¥200 | Guaranteed entry time, skip ticket queue |
Prices verified on the official museum website, April 2026.
💡 Why Book Through Klook?
- Skip the ticket line – During peak season, on-site queues can exceed 45 minutes
- Guaranteed entry time – Especially important during Golden Week and cherry blossom season
- Free cancellation – Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund
- Mobile tickets – Show your phone at entry, no printing needed
Opening Hours & Best Times to Visit
The museum's hours vary by season:
| Season | Opening Hours | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| March – July | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:30 PM |
| August | 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
| September – November | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:30 PM |
| December – February | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM | 4:30 PM |
Closed: December 30 and 31
Timing Is Everything
Hiroshima Tours Editor
I've visited the museum at every time of day across different seasons. The sweet spot is arriving right at 8:30 AM on a weekday. You'll have the first exhibits almost to yourself, and by the time crowds build around 10 AM, you'll be deep into the main building where foot traffic spreads out. Avoid Sundays and holidays if possible – the emotional weight of the exhibits is harder to process in crowded conditions.
Crowd Patterns
- Least crowded: Tuesday-Thursday mornings, winter months (December-February)
- Moderately busy: Weekday afternoons, autumn months
- Most crowded: Weekends, school holidays, cherry blossom season (late March-early April), Golden Week (late April-early May), August (Peace Memorial Anniversary)
How to Get to the Peace Memorial Museum
The museum is located in Peace Memorial Park, centrally positioned in Hiroshima. Multiple transportation options make it easily accessible:
From JR Hiroshima Station
- Streetcar (Hiroden): Take Line 2 or 6 to "Genbaku Dome-mae" stop (approximately 20 minutes, ¥220). Walk 5 minutes to the museum.
- Bus: Take Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus "Meipuru-pu" to Peace Memorial Park (approximately 20 minutes)
- Taxi: About 10 minutes, approximately ¥1,000-1,200
- Walking: 25-30 minutes through the city center – a pleasant walk if weather permits
From Hiroshima Airport
- Take the Limousine Bus to Hiroshima Bus Center (approximately 50 minutes, ¥1,370)
- From Bus Center, walk 10 minutes to Peace Memorial Park
Address
1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0811
How to Save Money
While the museum's admission is already very affordable at ¥200, here are ways to maximize your budget:
- Children under 15: Free admission – bring ID or passport for verification
- High school students: Half-price at ¥100 with valid student ID
- Hiroshima Free Wi-Fi: Use free museum audio guide app instead of renting the device
- Combine with Peace Park: The surrounding Peace Memorial Park is completely free – plan to explore the Atomic Bomb Dome, Children's Peace Monument, and other memorials
- Hiroden Day Pass: If using streetcars for the day, the ¥700 pass covers unlimited rides
What to Expect Inside
The museum consists of two connected buildings:
Main Building (East Wing)
The primary exhibition space, renovated in 2019, presents a chronological narrative:
- Before the Bombing: Hiroshima as a vibrant city, military headquarters, daily life
- August 6, 1945: The moment of detonation at 8:15 AM, immediate devastation
- Personal Belongings: Watches stopped at 8:15, school uniforms, lunch boxes – each with a story
- Survivor Testimonies: Video accounts and written stories from hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors)
- Aftermath and Recovery: Medical effects, radiation sickness, rebuilding efforts
East Building
- Historical context of WWII and the decision to drop the bomb
- Hiroshima before and after panoramic models
- Nuclear weapons today and calls for abolition
🎧 Audio Guide Recommendation
- The ¥400 audio guide is worth it – provides deeper context for exhibits
- Available in 20+ languages including English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish
- Alternative: Download the free official app for smartphone-based guide
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Before You Go
- Emotional preparation: The exhibits are graphic and emotionally intense. This is by design – to convey the reality of nuclear warfare.
- Time allocation: Plan minimum 2 hours. Rushing through diminishes the experience.
- Combine thoughtfully: Many visitors pair the museum with Peace Memorial Park, but consider an afternoon break before continuing.
During Your Visit
- Photography: Allowed without flash in most areas. Some exhibits prohibit photography.
- Silence: Maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor throughout
- Rest areas: Benches available if you need to pause
After Your Visit
- The Rest House (former bank that survived the bombing) offers a space for reflection
- Consider walking to the Atomic Bomb Dome – a 3-minute walk north
- The Paper Crane Monument and Cenotaph are meaningful next stops