Right at the tip of the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima which leads out to the Aioi Bridge (a bridge that takes you to the Genbaku Dome/A-Bomb Dome) is another structure which people tend to visit.
Known as “Heiwa no Tokei-to” (Clock Tower of Peace), the structure completed construction back on October 28, 1967 and was designed by Ohata Shoji and was founded by the Hiroshima Hijo Lions Club.
Initially, the clock tower was going to be built by the Peace Memorial Park designer, Professor Tange Kenzo (at the University of Tokyo) but his reponse was “Peace Memorial Park is a scred place and it is not desirable to build such things”. The group went to Tokyo to communicate the purpose of the clock directly and with the professor’s consent, construction began.
The 2m diameter sphere symbolizes the world of humanity and is supported by hands of deep prayer of the citizens of the peaceful city of Hiroshima. And three steel towers that are 20m high expresses the hope of peace that goes beyond the hardships and ends indefinitely.
The Clock Tower of Peace was selected in 1996 by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the “100 Best Japanese Sounds to Keep” (Overall sound scenery includes tthe bell that was exhibited at Peace Memorial Museum and is used at the Peace Memorial Ceremony which takes place every August 6th).
The structure features a clock facing three sides on a sphere placed on the tower with three steel poles, each are twisted at 60 degrees.
On the monument the words are as follows:
With the advent of nuclear nuclear power, mankind is now at the crossroads of life, death, ruin, and prosperity. The role of Lions all over the world is to bring together a peaceful world and to achieve peace. In response to the permanent preservation of the Atomic Bomb Dome, the chime of this clock tower strongly appeals to “No More Hiroshima” every day at 8:15, when humanity was hit by the first atomic bomb. We built this clock tower and gave it to the city and pray that one day of the realization of the permanent peace of mankind will begin as soon as possible
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the charter transmission, Hiroshima Hijo Lions Club
October 28, 1967
