Peace Statue, Bronze statue in Nagasaki Peace Park, Japan
The Peace Statue is a bronze monument in Matsuyama-machi, Nagasaki, Japan, rising 9.7 m (32 ft) and weighing 30 tons. The massive figure sits on a low pedestal and shows a muscular man with clearly defined hand gestures and a calm facial expression.
Seibo Kitamura created this work in 1955 to remember the victims of the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945, in Nagasaki. The work appeared ten years after the end of the war and was meant to serve as a lasting reminder for future generations.
The right hand points upward to warn against nuclear threat while the left extends horizontally to represent peace, and the closed eyes symbolize remembrance for those who perished. Each gesture combines Buddhist and Christian motifs into a form that visitors from around the world can understand.
Visitors reach the monument by tram or bus from Nagasaki Station in about 15 minutes. The surrounding area is freely accessible and offers space for quiet reflection or a calm walk through the park.
Each year on August 9, the Peace Memorial Ceremony takes place here, with representatives from around the world delivering peace declarations. Thousands of people gather at that hour to observe a moment of silence and to lay paper cranes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
