Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Walking Tour: Small Group History

Walk through monuments and survivor stories, connecting history to the human cost of war

A two-hour small group walking tour of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park led by a local English-speaking guide explores the city's transformation from devastation to peace symbol. The tour moves through nine key stops (the 10 Gates of Peace, the Mother and Baby monument, the Children's Peace Monument, and the sole surviving building 170 meters from ground zero), while your guide connects historical events with survivor testimonies and local perspectives on the bombing's lasting legacy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Walking tour of Hiroshima Peace Park

• Meet guide at meeting point
• Learn about atomic bomb history
• Visit 10 Gates of Peace
• See Mother and Baby in the Storm monument
• View names of Hiroshima A-bomb victims
• Explore hall showing city destruction
• Visit solo survival building near ground zero
• See Sadako and children’s peace crane monument
• Visit monument for Korean victims
• Ring the peace bell
• View building that survived bombing

The experience

The tour starts at the 10 Gates of Peace, where your guide explains why Hiroshima was selected as a target in the final stages of World War II and how the atomic bomb shaped world history. Nine of the gates represent the gates of hell. The tenth symbolizes the hell of Hiroshima itself. The word "peace" is inscribed in 49 different languages across the gates: a physical reminder of the city's transformation into an international symbol of peace.

From there, the walk moves through the park's monuments, each tied to specific human stories. You'll stand at the Mother and Baby monument, dedicated to mothers who sacrificed their lives protecting their children, and at the Children's Peace Monument, which tells the story of Sadako and the paper crane as a symbol of peace. The guide connects these sites to survivor testimonies and explains what Hiroshima was like before the bombing, how the city was rebuilt, and how the bombing continues to shape the city and its people today. A hall shows the scale of destruction. The solo survival building 170 meters from ground zero stands as physical evidence of the blast's force.

The route also includes the peace bell and a monument dedicated to Korean victims, rounding out the historical record beyond the most visible sites. Throughout the two hours, your guide creates space for discussion, so the tour becomes an exchange rather than a lecture. The park is fully accessible, and children under 10 can join free of charge.

What’s included

• Guided tour led by a local English-speaking guide.
• access to all nine stops in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, including the 10 Gates of Peace, the Mother and Baby monument, the Children's Peace Monument, the peace bell, and the sole surviving building 170 meters from ground zero.

Before you book

Lasts 2h, runs every day, 7 start times, from JP¥ 5,000 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ali

Is this one for you?This small group tour suits anyone who wants to move beyond dates and monuments to understand the human stories and lasting legacy of the bombing. The local guide and discussion-based format mean you're not just walking past sites. You're connecting them to survivor testimonies and local perspectives on how Hiroshima transformed into a peace symbol.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

115 verified traveler reviews

5 ★112

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What does the 10 Gates of Peace represent?

Nine of the 10 Gates of Peace represent the gates of hell, while the tenth symbolizes the hell of Hiroshima. The word "peace" is inscribed in 49 different languages on each gate, reflecting the city's role as an international peace symbol.

Will the guide talk about survivor stories during the tour?

Yes, the guide connects historical events and monuments to survivor testimonies and local perspectives, so you understand the human stories and lasting impact behind the historical facts and dates.

How long does the walking tour take?

The tour lasts two hours and covers nine key stops throughout Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, including the 10 Gates of Peace, monuments to mothers and children, and the building that survived 170 meters from ground zero.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility challenges?

Yes, all areas and surfaces in the park are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options nearby are also wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.