Information
Landmark: Hiroshima Orizuru TowerCity: Hiroshima
Country: Japan
Continent: Asia
Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, Hiroshima, Japan, Asia
Overview
Hiroshima Orizuru Tower (広島おりづるタワー, Hiroshima Orizuru Tawā) rises over the heart of Hiroshima, blending sleek modern design with the city’s culture and history.From its open-air deck, you can see the river glinting far below and take part in an origami crane experience, honoring Hiroshima’s enduring symbol of peace.One.Hiroshima Orizuru Tower opened its doors in 2016, taking its name from “orizuru” (折鶴) - the Japanese word for a folded paper crane, the kind you might see resting on a windowsill.The origami crane has come to stand for peace, tied closely to the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who folded hundreds of paper birds after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and became a lasting symbol of hope.The tower was designed as a place where visitors can connect with Hiroshima’s legacy of peace through the origami crane, while also stepping onto a sleek viewing deck that stretches out over the city, offering sweeping views of the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome gleaming in the sunlight.Number two.Modern Design: The tower rises as an elegant, contemporary landmark, all clean lines and smooth glass that catch the afternoon light.The building rises 57 meters, its broad glass facade catching the light and opening up sweeping views of the city beyond.The building’s design marries sleek modern lines with the symbolic grace of the origami crane, its folded wings seeming to catch the light as it rises into Hiroshima’s skyline.Inside the tower, visitors step into an interactive space where the story of the origami crane unfolds-paper wings seeming almost ready to lift into the air.Inside the building, you’ll find origami displays folded in vibrant paper, exhibits on the Hiroshima Peace Memorial’s history, and interactive activities exploring the peace movement.Viewing Platform: The tower’s 13th-floor observation deck is a highlight, giving you a full 360-degree sweep of the city, from rooftops glinting in the sun to streets winding far below.From the top, you spot the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and the stately Hiroshima Castle, with the blue shimmer of the Seto Inland Sea stretching toward distant green mountains.Three.One of the highlights at Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is the hands-on origami crane station, where you can fold bright paper cranes yourself.Visitors can fold their own origami cranes, adding them to a growing display that stands for hope and peace.This activity draws its inspiration from Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who folded 1,000 delicate paper cranes while battling leukemia from radiation exposure, and her story has since grown into a powerful symbol of peace around the world.The Peace Memorial Tower hosts exhibitions that honor the victims of the atomic bombing, urging visitors to remember the past and speak out for peace, much like the quiet toll of its bell at dusk.Visitors can hear Sadako Sasaki’s story, learn why the atomic bombing still matters, and pause to picture Hiroshima’s long walk toward peace and the quiet rebuilding that followed.Inside the tower, the museum showcases a range of peace-themed art installations, from delicate paper cranes to soft-lit sculptures.A standout piece is a wall covered in delicate origami cranes, and visitors can fold one themselves, then tuck it in among the others before they leave.This interactive artwork stands as a living memorial to those touched by the bombing, inviting visitors from every corner of the globe to add their voices to its message of hope, like slipping a bright ribbon onto a shared tapestry.Observation Deck: Perched on the 13th floor, it offers one of the tower’s best views-city lights stretching out like a glittering map.From the deck, you can take in sweeping views of Hiroshima-your eyes drawn to the green expanse of Peace Memorial Park and the solemn curve of the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage site.From the observation deck, you can pause in the quiet, watch the city stretch out below, and let Hiroshima’s story-and its call for peace-sink in.Origami Cranes Display: On the tower’s lower floors, you’ll find hundreds of delicate paper cranes, each folded by hands from every corner of the globe.Visitors can spot these cranes fluttering gently and discover how this simple gesture speaks of peace, unity, and remembrance.Number four.Interactive Activities for Visitors: You can roll up your sleeves and fold your own origami crane, feeling the crisp paper crease beneath your fingertips.They’ve set out crisp sheets of paper for the cranes, and there’s a bright corner where you can fold yours and place it among the tower’s growing flock.This hands-on feature lets visitors step right in and connect with the message of peace and hope-like leaving a small note on a shared wall.Multilingual Information: The tower features displays in English and Japanese, so travelers from abroad can read them with ease-even the elevator signs are in both languages.Signs explain the meaning of the origami crane, the peace memorial, and Sadako’s story in several languages, so every visitor can grasp the weight of what they’re seeing-even if it’s the soft rustle of paper folded into a fragile bird.Museum and Exhibits: Beyond the observation deck and the hands-on origami crane activity, the tower’s museum features displays on Hiroshima’s history, the atomic bombing, and the worldwide movement for peace, including a charred pocket watch stopped at 8:15.The exhibits give visitors a vivid sense of the city’s post-war recovery, from photographs of crumbled streets to stories of rebuilding, and show why its commitment to peace still matters.Gift Shop: Inside the tower, you’ll find a cozy shop filled with peace-themed souvenirs-delicate paper cranes, glossy postcards, thoughtful books, and other keepsakes that carry its message of peace.It’s the perfect spot to pick up a one‑of‑a‑kind keepsake, like a hand‑painted mug that still smells faintly of fresh clay.Five.Hiroshima Orizuru Tower sits in the heart of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, just steps from the Atomic Bomb Dome and a short walk to landmarks like the Peace Memorial Museum and the quiet, moss-lined paths of Shukkeien Garden.It’s easy to pair a trip up the tower with a stroll through the nearby historic and cultural landmarks, like the old stone bridge just down the street.Getting there’s simple-you can hop on a bus or train and be at the tower in minutes.You can hop on a tram or bus to Genbaku Dome-mae Station, then stroll a few minutes past shopfronts to reach the tower.The tower’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the last chance to get in is just before 8:30-when the evening light starts to turn gold.During these hours, you can visit the observation deck or fold a bright paper crane, with plenty of time to soak in the view and enjoy yourself.Admission costs about ¥500 for adults, while kids and seniors pay less-enough left over for a warm cup of tea from the vending machine outside.You might pay a special rate to visit the observation deck, and those prices can change if there’s a temporary exhibition or a big event in town.Six.Hiroshima Orizuru Tower stands as a cherished cultural landmark, its paper cranes swaying gently in the breeze, embodying the city’s enduring pledge to peace and its mission to teach the world why nuclear war must never happen again.The tower’s link to the origami crane gives the message a personal, almost tender weight-like holding a paper bird folded by a friend.Purpose of Learning:
