The Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument in Nagasaki stands at the precise location directly beneath the detonation of the atomic bomb dropped on August 9, 1945, at 11:02 a.m. The bomb, nicknamed “Fat Man,” exploded approximately 500 meters above this point, instantly devastating the Urakami district and much of the surrounding city. Within seconds, tens of thousands of people were killed, and by the end of that year, the death toll reached an estimated 74,000.
Today, a black polished granite pillar marks the hypocenter, surrounded by a peaceful memorial park planted with trees and flowers. Beneath the monument lies a stone vault containing the names of the victims, along with offerings and prayers left by visitors. Nearby, fragments of the Urakami Cathedral—once the largest church in East Asia—remain as haunting reminders of the destruction.
The monument and surrounding Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park stand as a solemn place of remembrance and reflection. It honors not only those who died instantly but also the survivors (hibakusha) who endured immense suffering from radiation. Together with the nearby Nagasaki Peace Park, the site continues to convey a powerful message: a plea for peace, reconciliation, and the total abolition of nuclear weapons worldwide.
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The Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park is open all day.
