Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum (長崎原爆資料館, Nagasaki Genbaku Shiryōkan) is a somber and essential destination for understanding the devastating human cost of nuclear warfare. Completed in 1996 to mark the 50th anniversary of the tragedy, the facility stands as a stark contrast to the nearby Peace Park, offering a more detailed and visceral examination of the events of August 9, 1945. It replaces the original museum built in 1955, providing expanded space for a collection that serves as both a memorial and a powerful educational tool for future generations.

The exhibits are curated to provide a chronological journey through the city’s darkest hour. One of the most haunting artifacts is a wall clock recovered from the ruins, its hands frozen forever at 11:02 AM—the exact moment the “Fat Man” plutonium bomb detonated. The galleries display melted glass bottles fused together by intense heat, carbonized clothing, and fragmented remains of the Urakami Cathedral, which was once the largest church in the East. These physical remnants are supported by heart-wrenching personal accounts and photographs that illustrate the immediate and long-term effects of thermal radiation on the hibakusha (bomb survivors).

The final sections of the museum move from the local tragedy toward a global perspective. A detailed timeline places the bombing within the broader context of World War II, followed by thought-provoking displays on the history of nuclear testing and the current state of global arsenals. By highlighting the terrifying power of modern nuclear weapons compared to those used in 1945, the museum concludes with a firm, permanent appeal for international peace and total non-proliferation, ensuring that the suffering of Nagasaki remains the final chapter of its kind in human history.

Visitor Information
Address	7-8 Hiranomachi, Nagasaki, 852-8117 (Google Maps)
Opening Hours	8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Last entry 5:00 PM; extended hours in summer)
Price	Adults: ¥200 / Students: ¥100
Website	Visit Website

Access
Station / Stop	Line / Bus	Access Details
Peace Park (Heiwa Koen)	Streetcar Line 1 or 3	A 5-minute walk from the tram stop to the museum entrance.
Nagasaki Station	JR Kyushu	A 10-minute tram ride or a 15-minute bus ride toward the Urakami area.