Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, Hiroshima

Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is a modern landmark that offers visitors a distinctive perspective on the city and its history. Opened in September 2016, the approximately 50-meter-high building stands beside the Atomic Bomb Dome, overlooking Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Its elevated position provides a remarkable bird’s-eye view of the dome, as well as panoramic vistas across central Hiroshima.

The tower contains several areas for visitors to explore. On the ground floor are Akushu Café, which serves locally inspired food and drinks, and a souvenir shop offering Hiroshima products, including sweets, sake, crafts, and other regional specialties. As you enter, Hiroshima Ippin, the tower’s souvenir shop, is to the left, while Akushu Café Organic is to the right.

To reach the main sightseeing areas, pass through the admission entrance and take the elevator to the upper floors. Hiroshima Hills, an open-air wooden observation deck, is located on the rooftop level, marked RF. From the western side, look down toward the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park. On clear days, visitors may even see Mount Misen on the island of Miyajima.

Instead of using the elevator for the entire journey, visitors can follow the gently sloping walkway known as Sampo. This spiral slope runs along the eastern side of the tower, connecting the first floor with the rooftop. Extending along the outside of the building, the walkway can be used in either direction and features large-scale artworks reflecting on Hiroshima’s history and future.

Directly beneath the rooftop observatory is Orizuru Square on the 12th floor. This bright indoor space contains digital installations and activities inspired by origami cranes. Large windows provide protected views across the city, including the area around the hypocenter, the point on the ground beneath where the atomic bomb exploded at an altitude of roughly 600 meters.

The 12th floor also contains the Orizuru Wall, a transparent structure extending down the north side of the building. Visitors can fold a paper crane at Orizuru Square and release it into the wall.