Hiroshima Orizuru Tower

Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is a striking modern structure beside Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Its name, Orizuru, means “folded crane,” a symbol of hope and peace closely associated with Hiroshima’s rebuilding after the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945.

The tower brings that meaning into its architecture and visitor experience. Its spiral ascent, historical displays, rooftop outlook and Orizuru Wall make it a place where Hiroshima’s modern cityscape and its remembrance of the past meet.

What is Hiroshima Orizuru Tower?

Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is a modern tower beside Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, built around themes of resilience, peace and the city’s recovery. The tower stands in a setting shaped by the atomic bombing and Hiroshima’s transformation from ruins into a beacon of peace.

Rather than separating history from the present-day city, Orizuru Tower connects the two. Its name points to the folded paper crane, while its upper levels provide a view across the living city and toward one of Hiroshima’s most recognisable memorial sites.

Why is the folded crane important at Orizuru Tower?

The folded crane is important at Orizuru Tower because it represents hope and peace. Visitors fold paper cranes and add their hopes to the Orizuru Wall, creating a mosaic of thousands of vibrant origami birds.

The tradition is inspired by Sadako Sasaki, who folded over a thousand cranes while battling radiation sickness. At the tower, each crane becomes part of a continuing act of remembrance and hope. The Orizuru Wall grows brighter as visitors contribute to it, making the symbol physical rather than simply decorative.

What can you see and do inside Orizuru Tower?

Inside Orizuru Tower, the ascent follows a gentle spiral ramp. Interactive displays tell stories of survival and rebirth through personal accounts and global history, giving the building a focus that extends beyond its contemporary design.

The rooftop observation deck provides panoramic views over the city. From above, the city lies below while the Atomic Bomb Dome appears in the distance, creating a clear visual connection between Hiroshima’s present and the history held by the Peace Memorial Park area.

The Orizuru Wall adds a hands-on element to the visit: visitors can fold paper cranes and place their hopes among the thousands of origami birds already gathered there.

What is around Hiroshima Orizuru Tower?

Hiroshima Orizuru Tower stands beside Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, with the Atomic Bomb Dome forming a significant part of the surrounding historical landscape. The dome was originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall and is also known as the Genbaku Dome and A-Bomb Dome.

The Atomic Bomb Dome was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Seen from the tower’s rooftop, it links Orizuru Tower’s modern architecture with the nearby site of remembrance without losing sight of the tower’s own role as a place focused on hope, peace and rebuilding.

How can you experience Hiroshima Orizuru Tower?

To encounter Hiroshima Orizuru Tower as part of a wider walk through Hiroshima’s history, join the Hiroshima - War & Peace - Memorial, History, and Cultural tour. The route visits Orizuru Tower while keeping the focus on the city’s memorial, history and cultural landscape.