A Summer of Wishes at Orizuru Tower

Orizuru Tower (Orizuru Tower Co., Ltd., located at 1-2-1 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, President and CEO: Shinichi Sakamoto) will host a special program from Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 16, this year, marking the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing.

On August 6, a children's choir performance from the 'Hiroshima Ai no Kawa' project and the 'My Heart Concert' by Mr. and Mrs. Takashi Okita will be held on the rooftop observatory.

From Saturday, August 8 to Sunday, August 16, the annual special initiative titled 'Letter from Hiroshima' will take place, inviting participants to send heartfelt letters to loved ones as a message toward peace on the anniversary of Japan's surrender.

We kindly request your cooperation in covering this event.

Voices of Hope for 2045: A Vision 100 Years into the Future

The summer of 2026 marks 81 years since the atomic bombing. The average age of atomic bomb survivors now exceeds 86, making it increasingly urgent to pass on the realities of the bombing to future generations. As the voices of survivors gradually fade, we are striving to preserve these memories in new and meaningful ways.

'Hiroshima Ai no Kawa' Project

Launched in 2015, the 'Hiroshima Ai no Kawa' (Hiroshima River of Love) project is based on a poem written by Keiji Nakazawa, the late author of 'Barefoot Gen,' shortly before his passing.

Nakazawa described the river he once witnessed, filled with victims of the atomic bomb, as a 'River of Love,' expressing his hope that future generations would inherit human kindness.

This poem was later adapted into a song, 'Hiroshima Ai no Kawa,' which has been sung annually by children during the Toro Nagashi (floating lantern) ceremony on August 6. Many children continue to pass on their wishes for peace to the next generation.

This year, the children's voices will once again be broadcast from the rooftop observatory to the world.

[August 6 'Hiroshima Ai no Kawa' Schedule]

Location: Rooftop Observatory

Time: 18:30 – Children's Choir Performance of 'Hiroshima Ai no Kawa'

[Official Website: https://www.ainokawa.com/]

Peaceful Melodies Under the Glow of Lanterns and Hiroshima's Night Sky

'My Heart Concert'

Every year on August 6, the floating lanterns visible from Orizuru Tower carry not only prayers for lives lost but also quiet hopes for the future.

On August 6, Orizuru Tower will host the 'My Heart Concert' on its rooftop observatory, where music conveys messages of peace. The performance will feature works by Takashi and Chiharu Okita, who have performed at numerous events at Orizuru Tower, including the G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023 Partners Program and FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The song 'We Love the EARTH from HIROSHIMA,' performed for nearly 20 years, will be delivered from beneath Hiroshima's sky to the world.

May these heartfelt melodies carry hope into the future. We invite your attention.

[August 6 Performance Schedule]

Location: Rooftop Observatory

Time: 20:00 –

'Letter from Hiroshima': Sending Words to the Future While Gazing Over Hiroshima

This summer, we will once again launch the special initiative 'Letter from Hiroshima' in anticipation of the anniversary of Japan's surrender.

Every August, visitors from around the world come to Hiroshima. From Orizuru Tower's observatory, they gaze upon the green, vibrant cityscape. Facing this view, visitors reflect on the past, confront their present selves, and pass on wishes to the children who will shape the future.

'Letter from Hiroshima' is a special initiative that allows visitors to express their feelings and hopes for the future in the form of a letter addressed to a 'special someone.'

Letters allow us to weave words while thinking of the recipient, preserving thoughts in tangible form. This summer, we hope that each visitor's words will transcend borders and generations, reaching someone in the future.

The postcards used feature designs from the WALL ART PROJECT '2045 NINE HOPES,' displayed on the east slope wall of Orizuru Tower. Nine Hiroshima-based artists created these murals, each expressing a 'wish' for 2045—the 100th anniversary of the end of World War II—capturing the hopes of generations from their 20s to 90s.

How to Submit Your 'Letter from Hiroshima'

How to Participate

- After entering the observatory, receive a postcard at the 'Orizuru Counter' on the 12th floor.

※ One postcard per ticketed visitor.

※ Limited quantities; distribution ends when supplies run out.

- Submit your letter in the box located at the 'Orizuru Plaza' on the 12th floor between August 8 (Sat) and August 16 (Sun). Letters can be sent domestically or internationally.

Important Notes

- Postcard designs cannot be selected.

- Submitted letters cannot be returned.

- No date-specific delivery.

- We cannot handle undeliverable letters due to missing or incorrect addresses.

- If content violates public order or morals, we reserve the right to refuse mailing at our discretion.

- You may take the letter home. We cannot mail it afterward.

Original Postcard (Design Concept)

Orizuru Tower Business Information

Observatory, Local Products Store, Café Hours: 10:00–18:00 (Last entry 30 minutes before closing)

※ Entire facility: August 6 (Thu) 10:00–22:00 (Extended hours)

※ Local Products Store: August 8 (Sat)–August 15 (Sat) 10:00–19:00

Observatory Admission: Adults ¥2,200, High School & Middle School Students ¥1,400, Elementary Students ¥900, Children (4+) ¥600. Additional ¥100 for origami crane deposit.

※ Observatory admission required to view events and performances.

※ Events may be canceled without prior notice. Please understand.

※ For the latest business information, please check our official website.