Hiroshima University Junior and Senior High School

Hiroshima University Attached School Auditorium: A Registered Tangible Cultural Property that Survived the Atomic Bomb

Standing quietly at the heart of the Hiroshima University Junior and Senior High School campus in Hiroshima's Minami Ward, the auditorium of the former Hiroshima High School is far more than an educational facility. Completed in 1927, this reinforced concrete hall in the Romanesque revival style has borne witness to nearly a century of Japanese history — from the elite education of the prewar era, through the devastation of the atomic bombing, to its continued use as a beloved school gathering place today. Designated as both a hibaku (atomic-bombed) building by the City of Hiroshima in 1994 and a nationally registered tangible cultural property in 1998, this auditorium stands as an enduring symbol of resilience, architectural craftsmanship, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

Historical Background: From Prewar Elite Education to Postwar Transformation

The former Hiroshima High School (commonly known as "Hiroko") was established in 1923 as one of Japan's prestigious prewar higher schools — institutions that served as preparatory colleges for the imperial universities. Only male students of exceptional academic ability were admitted, and graduation virtually guaranteed entry into a leading university. The campus was situated in the Minami district of Hiroshima, an area that was rapidly developing as a center of education.

The auditorium was completed in January 1927, designed by the Building Division of the Ministry of Education (Monbushō Eizen-ka). It immediately became the symbolic centerpiece of the campus, positioned directly in front of the main gate. The inscription "2587" on the entrance floor marks the year of completion in the imperial calendar (kōki), reflecting the social conventions and the institution's prestigious status in prewar Japan.

Renowned for its excellent acoustics, the auditorium served not only as a venue for school ceremonies and student club activities but also attracted the attention of NHK, Japan's national broadcaster, which used the hall for live recital broadcasts. The school produced many distinguished graduates, including the world-renowned architect Kenzō Tange, who later designed the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. It is said that Tange discovered his passion for architecture while browsing through the school library, where he encountered Le Corbusier's design for the Soviet Palace. He almost certainly attended entrance ceremonies and other events in this very auditorium.

Surviving the Atomic Bomb: August 6, 1945

On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The auditorium stood 2.69 kilometers from the hypocenter. While the wooden main building and other structures on campus were severely damaged or destroyed, the reinforced concrete auditorium sustained only relatively minor damage, primarily broken windows. In the chaotic aftermath of the bombing, the sturdy hall became a refuge for survivors seeking shelter from the elements.

Many of the wooden school buildings were half-destroyed, and numerous faculty and students on campus were injured. Yet the auditorium's concrete structure proved strong enough to withstand the blast, and it continued to serve as one of the few functional cultural facilities in a city where most schools and public buildings had been reduced to ruins. When the school resumed classes at its original campus in October 1947, the auditorium once again became the center of student cultural life in a devastated cityscape.

Postwar Transitions and Cultural Property Registration

In 1949, the former Hiroshima High School was absorbed into the newly established Hiroshima University and became its liberal arts division (Minami Campus). The auditorium continued to serve as a lecture hall and cultural facility. Then in 1961, through a campus exchange arrangement, the affiliated junior and senior high school moved to the site, and the auditorium took on its current identity as the school's main assembly hall.

Recognizing its historical significance, the City of Hiroshima designated the auditorium as a hibaku building in February 1994. Four years later, on September 2, 1998, the Agency for Cultural Affairs registered it as a national tangible cultural property (Registration No. 34-0016), partly thanks to the advocacy of alumni from the former Hiroshima High School. Today, it remains one of the increasingly rare atomic-bombed buildings in Hiroshima that preserves its original form from the time of the bombing.

Architectural Highlights and Design Features

The auditorium is a single-story reinforced concrete structure with a partial second-floor gallery, featuring a porte-cochère (carriage porch) at the main entrance. The building's design incorporates elements of Romanesque revival architecture, executed with restrained elegance by the Ministry of Education's architectural division.

The exterior walls are finished in stucco made to resemble stone masonry, with full-height buttress-like pilasters spanning the first and second floors. Decorative tiles adorn the cornice line, adding visual refinement to the otherwise straightforward composition. While the overall design represents a simplified interpretation of classical Western architectural styles, the quality of craftsmanship is notable throughout the building.

Inside the auditorium, the classical influence becomes even more pronounced. Rows of columns feature entasis — the subtle swelling at the center characteristic of ancient Greek temple columns — and are crowned with decorative capitals. The column surfaces are finished by skilled plasterers using stucco techniques to create the appearance of marble, with subtle variations in shade that add depth and warmth to the interior. Some of these interior decorative elements date back to the prewar period, having survived the atomic bombing and subsequent decades of use.

A particularly striking feature is the second-floor balcony seating, which cantilevers out from the walls without visible support — a distinctly modern engineering solution made possible by the reinforced concrete construction, standing in fascinating contrast to the otherwise classical aesthetic. The hall's many tall windows, a practical necessity in an era of limited electric lighting, flood the interior with natural light and contribute to the excellent acoustics for which the auditorium has long been celebrated.

In earlier decades, a covered walkway crossed in front of the building and obscured the main facade from view. This structure was later replaced with a transparent glass roof, greatly improving the visibility of the auditorium's handsome frontage from the school's main gate.

Why Was It Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property?

The auditorium was registered as a tangible cultural property for several compelling reasons. First, it is an excellent example of early Shōwa-period institutional architecture, combining Western classical design elements with modern reinforced concrete construction techniques. Despite its simplified aesthetic, the building displays exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout.

Second, the auditorium holds immense historical significance as a hibaku building that has maintained its original form since the atomic bombing. As the number of surviving atomic-bombed structures in Hiroshima continues to diminish, buildings like this auditorium become ever more precious as physical witnesses to that fateful day in 1945.

Third, the building represents the educational heritage of prewar Japan, serving as a tangible link to the era of the old-system higher schools and the distinguished academic tradition they fostered. Its continued active use as a school auditorium for nearly a century further enhances its cultural value.

Visiting the Auditorium: What to Know

The auditorium is located on the campus of Hiroshima University Junior and Senior High School, an active educational institution. As such, the building's interior is not generally open to the public. However, the exterior can be appreciated from outside the school grounds, and the facade is visible through the main gate. During certain school events or special occasions, limited access may be arranged. Visitors interested in viewing the interior are advised to contact the school administration in advance.

When visiting the area, take time to appreciate the building's classical facade, the buttress-like pilasters, and the decorative tile work along the cornice. The glass-roofed corridor in front of the building provides a clear view of the entrance portico with its distinctive arched doorway.

Surrounding Area and Nearby Attractions

The auditorium is situated in the Midori district of Hiroshima's Minami Ward, a quiet residential and educational neighborhood with convenient access to central Hiroshima. Several notable sites are within easy reach.

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum — approximately 3 km northwest, accessible by streetcar. The park contains the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Peace Memorial Museum, and numerous memorials and monuments.
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum — reopened in 2019 with renewed exhibits presenting the reality of the atomic bombing through artifacts, photographs, and survivor testimonies.
• Hijiyama Park — located nearby to the northeast, offering panoramic views of the city, walking trails, and the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Other hibaku buildings — visitors interested in atomic-bombed structures can follow a self-guided tour through Hiroshima, visiting sites such as the Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum, and the Fukuromachi Elementary School Peace Museum.
• Hiroshima Streetcar (Hiroden) — the city's iconic streetcar network itself is a cultural experience, connecting major sightseeing spots with vintage and modern trams.