When the atomic bomb was detonated in Hiroshima in 1945, the city was engulfed in death and devastation. Perhaps this is why the Atomic Bomb Dome (commonly referred to as the A-Bomb Dome) is such an important memorial to visit, to serve as a reminder of the horrors of war. Functioning since the early 1900s, the dome was initially a place that hosted exhibitions, such as the National Confectionery Exposition, which introduced the German cake Baumkuchen to the Japanese. The dome is what remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, which served as a location to promote Hiroshima's industries. The atomic bomb blasted about 160m away from the dome, leaving the dome partially intact, although it effectively obliterated the entire city of Hiroshima. The Memorial Cenotaph for victims of the blast lies between the museum and the dome, with a stone chest holding a register of the names of all those who perished.

Keep an eye out for the Children's Peace monument; a bronze girl holding a golden crane above her, standing on top of the domed statue. The girl represents Sasaki Sadako, whom you have surely heard of in the story of "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes", and all the young, innocent victims of war. This dome has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, and a place for many to reflect on the past, while remembering the importance of a peaceful present.