Nagasaki Peace Park

Welcome to the Nagasaki Peace Park. This tranquil space, established on a low hill in the northern part of the city, serves as a profound counterpoint to the devastation of 1945. …

At the southern end of the park's main plaza, we find the Fountain of Peace. To the casual observer, it is a beautiful circular water feature, but its meaning is deeply rooted in the agonizing reality of the bombing survivors. …

As you walk toward the central statue, you will pass a series of sculptures lining the path. This is the International Sculpture Zone, a collection of monuments donated by various countries and cities as symbols of their…

One of the most striking and unique contributions in the park is the monument from New Zealand, unveiled in 2006. It is a sculpture made of stainless steel and stone, representing a 'Korowai' or traditional Maori cloak. …

Hidden in plain sight within the park are the foundations and lower wall fragments of the former Urakami Branch Prison. On the morning of August 9, this was a high-walled facility made of steel-reinforced concrete. …

We stand now before the focal point of the park: the monumental Peace Statue. Created by the renowned sculptor Seibo Kitamura and unveiled in 1955, this ten-meter-tall bronze figure is one of the most recognizable symbols of…

As we conclude our walk through the main plaza, we find the Bell of Nagasaki. This bell is often rung by visitors as a personal prayer for peace. …

As you prepare to leave the Nagasaki Peace Park, take a final look across the hills of this remarkable city. You have walked through a space where a dark chapter of human history has been transformed into a universal prayer for…