A Detailed Guide To Atomic Bomb Museum In Nagasaki, Japan

Nagasaki was the second city in Japan to be atomic bombed by the United States during World War II. Atomic Bomb Museum is one of the reminders of this tragic event.

I visited this museum on my trip to Nagasaki, and it was a provoking experience. While I studied about Nagasaki and Hiroshima bomb attacks at school, there was much more to learn and thoughts to process.

In this article, I share a brief guide to Atomic Bomb Museum in Nagasaki, including tips on how to get there, the information you should know about the museum, and travel tips. 

nagasaki museum sign japan

About Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum was completed in April 1996, built as a story, recreating the bombing years of the city.

The museum was designed underground under a hill in northern Nagasaki, where the Fat Man bomb fell on the city.

nagasaki museum entrance japan
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum was built to commemorate the event on August 9, 1945, at 11:02:35.

The museum shows the status of the bombing, the onslaught, and the history of the development of nuclear weapons. It also displays photos, relics, and documents related to the incident before, during, and after the bombing.

nagasaki museum church japan.

Things to see at Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

The clock

In the museum, there is a clock that does not work at 11:02 – the exact time the bomb hit the city, also when many people died with the first bomb.

nagasaki museum clock japan.

The memorial

Outside the museum is a memorial to teachers and students killed in the atomic bombing. Thousands of paper cranes were sent back by students from all over, linked in strings, to commemorate the victims.

nagasaki museum memorial japan

The exhibitions

The museum’s second floor is the main exhibition section divided into two stories.

The first story is about a time before the disaster. Nagasaki was a busy port city with industrial factories, residential areas, churches, schools.

The second part of the story starts when the atomic bomb of Fat man was dropped. Urakami Cathedral was the only building left in the city, with a statue and a pile of rubble bricks.

nagasaki atomic bomb museum japan.

Distorted helmets and scorched uniforms are testaments to the devastation of war. There are several photos showing the effects of the bombs on humans.

nagasaki museum building japan

The Fat man model

The Fat Man atomic bomb model is a highlight with a length of more than 3 meters, a diameter of 1.5 meters, and a weight of 4.63 tons.

nagasaki museum bomb japan
This bomb has claimed the lives of one-third of Nagasaki’s residents.

How to get to Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

You can fly to Nagasaki or Fukuoka airport.

From Fukuoka airport, you can use public transport such as the JR Kyushu train, get off at Nagasaki Station. You can purchase a Kyushu Rail Pass for a convenient trip.

From Nagasaki station, change to Nagasaki Electric Tramway for Hamaguchimachi and walk about 4 minutes to the museum.

You can also take a bus to the nearest station, Hamaguchimachi, and walk into the museum.

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