Peace Watch, Clock tower at Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima, Japan
Peace Watch is a granite clock tower at the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, standing roughly 3.1 meters tall with a spherical dial mounted on three geometric pillars facing different directions. The structure sits quietly within the museum grounds, serving as both a functional timepiece and a visual focal point for visitors.
The clock tower was completed in 2001 and sounds a chime each day at 8:15 AM, marking the exact moment the atomic bomb hit the city. This daily reminder connects visitors to a pivotal moment in the city's past.
The three pillars represent the hope of local residents for worldwide peace and reconciliation. Walking around the museum grounds, visitors can see how this message of hope is part of the everyday landscape.
The clock is easy to locate during the day, as it stands openly on the museum grounds and is visible from nearby paths. Plan to be near it when the chime sounds to experience the full effect of the daily remembrance.
The daily chime was officially recognized by Japan's Environment Agency as one of the country's most important soundscapes. This designation makes the sound itself a protected part of the nation's cultural heritage.
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