Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

About

The National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims in Nagasaki was built by the national government under Article 41 of the Atomic Bomb Survivors Relief Law, following a sister facility in Hiroshima, and opened in July 2003 — the first national memorial facility in Nagasaki. Architect Kuryu Akira designed the building, at a total construction cost of about 4.4 billion yen. Built two stories below ground around a theme of "stillness, light, and water," it creates a quiet space for remembrance while preserving the surrounding view of the hypocenter. Its core functions are to permanently preserve the registry and portraits of the dead, collect and publish survivor testimonies, and provide information on medical care for bomb survivors. It stands in Hirano-machi, Nagasaki, next to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and the Nagasaki City Peace Hall. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare oversees the project, while day-to-day operation is handled by the Nagasaki Peace Promotion Association. Admission is free. The hall opens 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in April and from September through March, and until 6:30 p.m. from May through August, extending to 8:00 p.m. from August 7 through 9. It closes December 29 through 31, and the registry of atomic bomb victims currently lists 201,942 names.