To mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan House London invites visitors to fold origami cranes as a gesture of hope for world peace.

In Japan, senbazuru – strings of a thousand paper cranes – are often created to wish for good fortune, recovery from illness, long life and peace. Every year, people from around the world send senbazuru to the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, which commemorates the child victims of the atomic bombing.

This tradition was inspired by the story of Sasaki Sadako, who was two years old when she was exposed to radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. Years later she developed leukaemia and began folding one thousand paper cranes in the hope of recovering.

From 23 July and throughout August, visitors can pick up origami paper and instructions at the reception on the Lower Ground Floor and return completed cranes to be added to our growing display.

A series of workshops are also held in the Library throughout August, where our Visitor Experience team will guide participants in folding cranes as part of our summer Family Workshops programme.

 

Senbazuru workshops (The Library)

Wednesday 6 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Friday 8 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Saturday 9 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Sunday 10 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Monday 11 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Tuesday 12 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Wednesday 13 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Thursday 14 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Friday 15 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Wednesday 20 August 2025, 14:30–16:30

Friday 29 August 2025, 14:30–16:30