Ep.084: Using Public Transport to Explore Nagasaki Japan
Welcome to Nagasaki, a city shaped by history, resilience, and hope. Today we’re exploring the city on foot and by tra. We were given Suica cards to pay for our fair. The port is a short walk to the tram station where we hop aboard a local city tram and head straight into the vibrant part of Nagasaki. [Music] As the tram winds through the bustling streets, we take in everyday scenes of the city life where tradition and modernity coexist in harmony. As airates intensified during World War II, Nagasaki’s residents built these bunkers which are hand dug into hillsides. A few of these humble shelters saved lives and they are silent witnesses to a moment that changed history forever. To get to the Peace Memorial Park, you’ve got two options. the stairs to the left or the escalator straight ahead. Today, we’re choosing the escalators because it’s way too hot. And let’s be honest, nobody’s trying to win a fitness challenge right now. This fountain holds deep symbolic significance to honor those who died crying out for water and those who suffered from extreme burns and thirst. Scattered throughout the park are powerful peace monuments donated by countries around the world. each a heartfelt expression of hope, solidarity, and remembrance. One notable gift comes from Brazil, home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan. From sculptures to symbolic figures, these artworks reflect a global call to end war and promote peace. [Music] This inscription echoes a 9-year-old victim’s final words, sharing how thirsty she was after the blast. Here stands the ground zero monument, marking the very center of the atomic blast. This is the exact center of the atomic blast 500 m above. As of August 2024, the officially recognized death toll from the bombing is 198,785. This number includes not only those killed in the initial blast, but also those who died later from radiation illness and other injuries. At the park center stands the towering statue of peace. its outstretched hand and closed eyes symbolizing the hope for a world without war. After the bombing, the ground rose in places due to the massive amount of debris and rubble piling up from destroyed buildings. The force of the blast leveled structures and the accumulation of wreckage altered the landscape, creating elevated areas where the ground once was. We’re now entering the Atomic Bomb Museum where you’ll see photographs, artifacts, and exhibits that tell the personal stories of those who experienced the unthinkable. the numbers by creating This is an exhibit with a model showing how the shock wave radiated outward, destroying nearly everything within a 2 kilometer radius. [Music] This is a replica of the Fat Man, a plutonium implosion type bomb more complex than the uraniumbased Little Boy dropped on Hiroshima. Weighing about 10,000 lbs and just over 10 feet long, Fat Man contained a core of plutonium 239 surrounded by high explosives. When detonated, the explosives compressed the plutonium core to a superc critical state, triggering a massive nuclear explosion. The bomb exploded about 500 meters above Nagasaki, releasing energy equivalent to 21 kilotons of TNT. The blast instantly killed tens of thousands and flattened much of the city. [Music] Fatman played a major role in ending World War II and remains a symbol of the devastating power of nuclear weapons. Here are examples of photos you will see, but they are just too gruesome, heart-wrenching, and sad that we will just leave them out for now. Here is a stark and haunting exhibit on global nuclear stockpiles, highlighting the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons. The display shows how many nuclear warheads exist worldwide and the countries who possess them. One red pole is equivalent to approximately 90 warheads. Just outside the museum, you will see manhole covers that are beautifully designed and are pieces of urban art, featuring colorful illustrations that celebrate Nagasaki’s history, culture, and symbols of peace. Here stands a giant camper tree that withtood the bombing that cracked its trunk but miraculously still stands strong and full of vitality today. Next, we get to visit the one-legged Tory gate. Originally a traditional two-legged Tory gate, one of its legs was destroyed by the atomic blast, leaving it standing on just one leg today. This damaged gate has since become a powerful reminder of resilience and survival amid devastation. As we return to port by tram, the city’s spirit stays with us, resilient, peaceful, and deeply human. Another side. Another side again. My speech The next stop is Chinatown number 31. Please change for clever garden. Nagasaki is more than a destination. It’s a story of recovery, remembrance, and renewal. Thanks for walking with us today. This experience is quite unique because it is not your typical excursion on a motor coach. We explored by public transport like the locals do. We are back on the ship and passing under the Meami Bridge, also known as the Goddess and Venice Wing Bridge. It is a striking cable state bridge that spans the entrance to Nagasaki port and connects the city with its southern areas. Until next time, safe travels and live your best life, everyone. Heat up [Music]
Instead of taking the usual private tour bus, we took public transportation and walked around Nagasaki Japan; one of only two cities in the world to be destroyed by a nuclear bomb. Despite enduring unimaginable devastation, the enduring spirit of Nagasaki’s people has blossomed into a resilient city that tirelessly promotes peace.
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