John, you outdid yourself in this episode. The fact that the streetcar was back and running three days after the tragedy speaks heaps about the spirit and courage of this admirable persons. A fourteen year old girl, driving it though her devastated city is the most painful and beautiful poem. All our admiration and love to you and the people of Hiroshima 🫶🏻♥️

Not just the train. It's amazing that the conductor girl is still alive in her 90s. She worked through the radioactivity just a few days after.

@tristanbackup2536

6 ай бұрын

I'm curious how her body able to handle it & healed from. Like litterly, they would've done lots of blood tests.

Thank you for watching this episode about Hiroshima - I wanted to tell the story we all know too well from a different point of view, from the public transportation which is still running, connecting August 6, 1945 to today. I'd love to hear from you in the comments - encourage me to make more videos like this. This episode took a lot of research and planning. Thank you to Sasaguchi-san and her daughter, Hiroden and Hiroshima city for the support and access to tell this incredible story, believing in me to make it with heart and soul. -John

@Aiken47

7 ай бұрын

Thanks John

@user-lf8wu5ri8n

7 ай бұрын

Pretty interesting John! Learned alot! Can't wait to be back in Japan next week! I miss those Yaki29 parties😊! Aloha!

@raysackett7660

Ай бұрын

Many kudos to the city that wants future generations to not repeat these incidents!

@jeffreydurkee2993

23 күн бұрын

Hello a lady in your family teaches at my school in Vermont! She talked about your channel today so i decided to look it up. I think your videos are very interesting

@Imstarshine

4 күн бұрын

@onlyinjapan I think there's an error in the video description where you write about the conductor. You wrote 'who is not 92'. I think you meant to write 'who is now 92'.

thank you for this video John! Edit: I know this video may not get the views it deserves, YT doesn't always like to promote war topics due to the less advertiser friendliness of it, but nonetheless you going to Hiroshima, finding someone from that WWII time period and interviewing them, and giving your take on it all from the starting point of the street train cars is absolutely priceless. You've done an amazing job, don't let low views stop you from making great content!

@onlyinjapan

7 ай бұрын

Give it time, sometimes videos grow but I think the issue is that subscribers aren’t clicking enough right now and that leads to it not being suggested enough to grow. I changed the thumbnail and title and hope more people are curious about the topic. Since we’re losing more people who experienced this, it’s important to cover these stories that change the world.

@lorllc

5 ай бұрын

hmmm....this video is really amazing... the views are a result of how to translate this... It is Grave Yards of the Fire Flies.. tragic ... it breaks too many safe spaces... but this is absolutely an amazing video... You cannot talk to many people outside of this city without many Japanese saying...ehhhh....I never thought about it before, and many gaijin don't want to visit the topic...but amazing video none the less....@@onlyinjapan Amazing video and very important thank you for the video and foresight.

Episodes like this is why this channel is so important to learning about Japan's history. Thank you John for this heartbreaking yet uplifting episode. The survivor you interviewed was just so lovely. I can't imagine at 14 years old going through this, she definitely had a guardian angel around her that day.

@rogersomera-lj8do

7 ай бұрын

I agree, heartbreaking yet uplifting!

Many look at the story of the atomic bombing of Japan as just a harrowing tale of death and destruction, but stories such as these also show us a tale of resilience and recovery. The commitment and unwavering spirit as evident in Hiroden's operations is one of many factors that powered Japan's economic miracle and rebound from the post-war era.

Well done, John! Tackling such a heavy topic is no easy feat, yet you consistently deliver meaningful content for your audience. Having Susuguchi-san share her personal story added a deeply touching dimension to the video. Her story really moved me. Thanks for making this! 🙏

Thank you, John, for sharing this video. It is a true testament to the resilience of the Japanese people. Winston Churchill once said, "Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it." Showing the devastating impact of the atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima seems like something out of a movie, but it is real. The destruction, the loss of life, and the suffering are all real. The archive footage taken after, showing the destruction is important to preserving this history and in recounting the story of that terrible day. I can see the care that you took in telling the story, John. Phenomenal work! I think this is the best video yet. A difficult subject but you have shown how the spirit of Hiroshima has risen from the ashes, and its message to bring peace to all. ❤

@mikloridden8276

7 ай бұрын

I get what you are saying, but you yourself are forgetting history. The bomb was a culmination of what they were doing in Asia. It wasn’t just for no reason. What they did to woman and children was disgusting. Of course I feel sorry for this woman and all the innocent, but please don’t forget that their carnage was worse and in the millions, yet no story for Japans victims.

@alvinmercado6305

6 ай бұрын

@@mikloridden8276agreed so many Chinese and Koreans were under the grip of the Japanese that to this day Japan doesn’t apologize for… sickening

@moldyoldie7888

Ай бұрын

@@mikloridden8276 You're right, the Japanese military brought suffering to many people. But consider that Oppy told President Truman he, Oppy, had blood on his hands.

We visited Hiroshima in 2019. An incredibly moving experience. On our last morning we had to catch a Hiroden tram (streetcar) to the train station. A few minutes before Leaving our accommodation I had been reading the story of 651 and its survival. Being a public transport worker myself with a keen interest in history I was fascinated. To my amazement, whilst waiting for our tram to the station 651 came trundling past carrying a party of school children on a special charter trip. We were so lucky to be there at just the right moment. Thank you for this excellent video which adds a human story to the whole experience. Everyone who can should visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I defy anyone to remain untouched by doing so.

I couldn’t agree more with you John, it is vitally important to remember this period in time and that current and future generations also have an understanding. I’ve always admired your respect and love for Japan and this shines throughout this excellent video. The streetcars that have been lovingly preserved and maintained are very beautiful and it’s fantastic seeing the pride people have in them. Thank you for sharing this with everyone. Best wishes to you and the family.

Thanks for highlighting the amazing story of the young women who ran the trams during and after the war in Hiroshima - I always talk about this on tours, but would love to see a statue or at least information about these women in history.

Outstanding insight into a story that needed to be told. Beautifully crafted and well shot. I, like you John, shed tears watching this. I found Hiroshima to be a lovely, peaceful city and hope to visit again one day. Thanks for your work.

I kept avoiding this episode because I knew that it would hurt my heart, as I am a very emotional person. I was encouraged by your "live" today to view it, as I realized that it is an important part of history that we should never forget. I appreciate all of your dedication and hard work in conveying to us your love for Japan and their people. I've just discovered your channel and I have enjoyed immensely your sense of humor in other episodes and in this one which brought tears to my eyes. With much gratitude and love to you, your family and the people of Japan.

@onlyinjapan

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for writing about this - it was important to make it because we don’t know how much time we have to hear these stories and learn from them. When you hear it from the people who lived through it, not historians, you don’t forget it, and that is a powerful message. I love my home here and hope I can do more to share the stories of Japanese including the tough ones which impacted the country greatly.

I feel so bad for all the innocent people that got caught up in that war. It's amazing that woman had such a strong will to survive and still is living to this day!

@jamesherman3750

7 ай бұрын

@@alphakennybody2583 the innocent people. Didnt kill anyone. The army did. Learn history before you make judgement

Your research and story-telling is top notch John! Thank you for recognizing her and preserving their courageous stories forever for generations to appreciate and learn. 🙏 🚃🇯🇵

As I commented on the Patreon preview your interview of this "Seventh Survivor" was just as impactful as the six survivor interviews by John Hersey in his 1946 book "Hiroshima." Your narrative of the young 14 year-old girl's search for her sister and the included contemporary photos of them as we learned of their reuniting after the Atomic blast made for a teared and lasting impression. Bringing alive the archived footage by juxtapositioning it with Hiroshima today was masterful, including as you chronicled the then young conductor's presence in the 1945 street car through its stops in the days after the bombing and correlated it to the ride today in a street car of shared vintage.

Wow ! One of the best episodes that you have done. The lady was 92?, and still had all the memories from that terrible day. I loved the way you just let her talk. Let's hope Humane kind never sees the use of today's modern nuclear bombs.

John, the timing of this video is especially meaningful to my wife and I. When it posted, my wife and I were in Nagasaki experiencing the Atomic Bomb museum and Peace Park after traveling on the local trams in the city. We didn't know there were trams functioning in Hiroshima immediately after the bombing. This just added to our knowledge of the end of WWII. Thank you very much!

@onlyinjapan

4 ай бұрын

I was surprised few people know about it and when the chance came to work with HIRODEN, I knew I had to do it. When I lived in Hiroshima in ‘99 I knew this story but didn’t click that it was this special until I read about Sasaguchi san and the learned the a train came back on line 72 hours after the bomb! It really impacted me 25 years after I’d first ridden that train! I also wondered if I’d ever walked by Sasaguchi-san when I lived in Hiroshima 😂 she’d have been 67 then, pretty active! Such a small world. So thankful to have had the chance to document this one. Really appreciate the message and hear of your interest in the topic too.

The capacity of recovering and rebuilding of the Japanese is just incredible but this beats just about everthing . Thanx John ! Your channels and Abroad In Japan are my favourite channels ❤️

Thanks John. When visiting Hiroshima I rode the streetcar, but this story puts a whole new light on it. Also the people I met there were some of the friendliest I've ever met.

Visited in spring 2017. Apart from the strong emotions I felt visiting the museum -after an entire childhood listening to teachers telling the tragedies of the mankind-, I shall say that I found the city to be really lively and beautiful, and local people really friendly. I have walked a lot along the rivers and and eaten very tasty food. Thank you for this video!

@onlyinjapan

7 ай бұрын

I loved living here, close to the sea, a comfortable small city - friendly, amazing food - when I think of this city, I don’t really think as much about the past but it’s hard to escape it. I like how they teach from it, and those alive still to tell those stories are important. In 10 years, there won’t be many left.

I will be visiting Hiroshima in only 7 weeks from now as part of a 4 week holiday in Japan. Thank you for the input. I will try to ride the 653 and of course visit the peace museum. I'm sure there is a lot to see and to learn in Hiroshima.

Thank you for this episode, John -- it's one of your best yet. Powerful, moving and filled with such research and details, woven together with archival footage and images. I've taken the streetcar to go from the drome to Miyajima, but not the original trams 651 and 653. Next time I hope I get to ride one of them, and I now have other places to visit to see for myself these amazing historic cars. I love that you focused on this little-known story about the bombing of Hiroshima. Thanks for putting this episode together.

This is a great video! I've been to Hiroshima and ridden the trams before but never realized the links with the bombing. And it's really important work to help preserve that history with interviews while that's still possible.

@onlyinjapan

7 ай бұрын

Thank you ^_^ when I found out, I knew it was important to cover this for the channel. It really shows the city’s spirit following the tragedy.

I think it's amazing not only how the train survived the bomb but that it worked after that and still does to this day. It's also great that it worked back then after the bombing as well cause trying to imagine what it'd be like if I found myself in that situation where everywhere is just filled with destruction, it would help to see something still functions and there are people on there, too. Plus people won't feel trapped cause there's a mode of transportation that could take them elsewhere quickly. I do hope those trains last a long, long time.

As a rail and tram enthusiast myself, it's just surprising that the trams are still running to this day after all that time since then after nearly 80 years, comparing to how many stuff were damaged from it.

John-I thought this was one of the best presentations you have done. My father immigrated from Hiroshima to California around 1906 so fortunately he did not have to go through the suffering during the war.

What a sad, but beautiful, story. Well done John.

Thank you so much for sharing this historical truth! It’s a blessing to see & hear Sasaguzi san still strong to share her story!

Might be the contender for my favourite main channel video, John. Incredible work, brother!

Aloha John, very educational for me! My son lives in Hiroshima and I had a chance to visit the museum and the area, and watching this video brought more uneasy feelings of why, similar feelings of the 2011 Tsunami! So much devastation! Thank you again for all your videos! Just returned home from my Japan trip couple days ago, I was hoping I would bump into you on one of your live streams, but maybe someday. Or when you return to Magic Island for a potluck with the Hawaii people.

Thank you for sharing Sasaguchi-san's story with us all! I hope to visit Hiroshima in one of my future trips to Japan.

John, thank you SO MUCH for this absolutely amazing video ❤ I don’t know how many survivors of the event were available to interview, but Saseguchi-san truly is the epitome of the resilience of Japan. The immediate action to rebuild is something I wholeheartedly admire. I’m visiting Hiroshima for the first time this November. Again, thank you so much for this intimate insight of hope❤

Watched this with a smile on my face for how much pride there was in getting the street cars back up and running. There was also a bitter sadness that the bomb was dropped and seeing the harm that came from it. Wonderful video, the people maintaining those street cars should be proud they are keeping a piece of history alive. Again wonderful video!

Susuguchi-san's interview needs to be stored for future generations 🙏

@cwg73160

2 күн бұрын

*Sasaguchi-san Show respect to peoples’ names.

I was speechless after watching this amazing video the first time. This was truly worth the wait, well done John and thank you for the all the hard work. I’m visiting Japan by myself for the first time in late November. Hiroshima is on my itinerary and watching this makes me even more happy that I’m visiting this beautiful city. I look forward to paying my respects and being able experience life in the city so there’s no taking anything for granted. Only in Japan is a special channel and has one of the best online communities out there. Thank you John for all you do I can’t get enough of your insight and passion in your videos/streams. Always making me laugh and giving helpful advice to anyone interested in Japan.

@kaius3351

7 ай бұрын

Hello Kyle, When you will visit Hiroshima, please visit 国立広島原爆死没者追悼平和祈念館 / Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims beside the 広島平和記念資料館 / Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. You'll see 12 American Air crew names, photos, and descriptions who were victims of Atomic bomb of Hiroshima. Also, I recommend you to watch KZread videos: 1)The Life of a Nuclear Bomb Survivor / Paper Lanterns, 2) 【Hiroshima】 U.S. POWs and The A-Bomb Documentary I think these videos are thought-provoking about various thoughts about the atomic bombing. The American victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing are John Long, Normand Brissette, Ralph Neal, etc. Please take a look. I'm sorry for my bad English.

John thank you for the episode. This is incredible work and you are right that this part of the history should be passed on to generations to come and we must as humanity vow never to repeat this history. The images and videos shown in this documentary are powerful and very moving and the pain of seeing human sufferings oozes from it even though its just 20 mins long. Again thank you for making this happen

Thank you for making and sharing this story about the Hiroden street cars. Unforgettable indeed.

I rode these when I was there. Thank you for giving me a deeper knowledge of the great country.

Its one of the best episodes from Only in Japan. I look forward to seeing similar content in the future... mahalo !

Love learning about stories from people who lived through these times, thanks for the great video!!!

@kevinjenner9502

7 ай бұрын

The first Japanese film to address the atomic bombing of Hiroshima was commissioned by Japan’s teachers union. The film, “Children of Hiroshima” was released in 1952 at the end of the American occupation. A somber and poignant film starring one of my favorite actresses of the period, Nobuko Otowa…..Free on KZread.

Another awesome episode, John! Thank you for always finding and sharing great stories 🥰

What a great video. I was in Hiroshima in 2018, and I wish I had known about these street cars then. I would have love to have been able to ride one. A very inspiring story. Thank you for doing this.

Incredible episode! Thank you John for keeping the memory alive

Thank you for sharing this, John!

Thank you for the great episode, John! Going to visit Hiroshima in just over a week and hope to learn even more of the history.

Thank you very much, John. This is definitely one of your best works.

Thank you for this video. It's heartbreaking and meaningful all at the same time. Its amazing that these cars were up and running in such a short time. I appreciate you taking the time and showing us a little more in depth about Japan

Thank you for making this video John.

Amazing Video John. Was really looking forward to this video. Thank you!

Amazing work on this one, especially the interview!

Amazing documenting of history in this episode. Thanks for always sharing these incredible stories with us!

Thank you John！Aioi Bridge brings a lot of memories. I used to cross the bridge on every Sunday from Hiroshima Bus Center to join Boy Scout over 50 years ago.

@onlyinjapan

7 ай бұрын

I walked across it so often from Yokogawa to get to the baseball stadium or Kemby’s bar for a burger and beer 🍻 Yes - so many memories and so much history atop that bridge.

Great video! This is one of the best Japan content videos I’ve seen this year! Congratulations!

Excellent video. Definitely my new favorite of yours, recency bias be damned. Thanks for sharing John.

Thank you John it was presented in a very sensitive way. Fascinating and awe inspiring people of Hiroshima

To find such a story like this is incredible. I never would've thought about

This was some of your best work, John. I think the stories you used to tell Hiroshima and her people's story reflects the true spirit of the place. I think you honor them both. Very well done.

Another well researched and interview. Thank you for bringing us this story.

John, your videos are always filled with respect and co sideration of the topic you are discussing this one is no different. Thank you for the amazing video, the knowledge and the work you put into these because I know you put a lot of work into them.

Great episode! This was done so well it reminds of some of the videos we would watch in history class in highschool.

Wow what an amazing opportunity, thanks so much for all your fantastic work John.

Great video John, thank you for your work once again :)

👏👏 Great job. I appreciate the interview too. We must preserve the memories before they are gone.

This is one of the best episodes on the show. Learning about history and the people who lived it is the best way to avoid making the same mistakes. I hope to see more about Japan’s amazing history in future episodes.

Thank you John for making such an important video.

This is incredible. What a symbol for peace this city is. The resilience, the miraculous recovery! I plan to visit Hiroshima in 2024 - I look forward to the peace museum and gardens, and just witnessing how vibrant the city is today. Thank you for bringing this story to us, John and Sasaguchi-san.

Great video! Thank you for making it!

I visited Nagasaki and Hiroshima 6 years ago. The museums did well portraying the tragedies of the 6th and 9th of August. That being said, nothing transmits the sentiments better than the testimony of someone who lived through it. At the Dome, one of the survivors was twlling his story. I still don't know why i started crying and why it didt stopped for a while. Thanks John for this documental

Aloha 🤙 from Honolulu! Thanks, John. This is one of the, if not, the best video that you have made. Excellent! I can't wait to go riding these.

John! Amazing video! Will we get one on the Kobe disaster earthquake of 1995? Thanks for your amazing work always! Bless you and your family

Man I was so glad to hear that her sister was okay and wasn't hurt! I feel so bad for the people with major burns that had to live in pain before their deaths, and man using cooking oil to try and stop the pain, that just sounds so depressing, I hope they got to at least talk to their families before their deaths.

Thank you so much for sharing her story and of the tram that kept encouraged people just by running, like the “Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. You’re so right that their stories of this dark blot in world history should be gathered before their generation dies out. This is a commendable project!

I've watched hundreds of your videos but this one is up there with the very best. I've visited Hiroshima twice and it changed me in ways I cannot describe😢🥹Thanks!

Well narrated John, obviously alot of effort went into the video production, wishing you more views.

My father did cried while watching this episode, as he did when visiting hiroshima memorial museum. Maybe because he comes from the time during japan occupation in indonesia, and remember how the so called "new weapon" helps ending the occupation in 1945.

@onlyinjapan

7 ай бұрын

Yes, that war was a tragedy for all sides. Understanding what is lost in war is important to prevent it. Should learn from history 💯

So amazing. Never be heard this no. 651 tram story with amongst from Japanese media agencies or all KZreadrs. You may be the first foreigner interviewing with this in Japanese. Thank you.

@onlyinjapan

4 ай бұрын

I like to find stories few have covered and this is one of them - that you can also ride and feel the history of that day. I hope more people catch this episode, a lot to learn from it.

I have been looking forward to this video since you mentioned it in your Hiroshima livestream at the okonomiyaki restaurant!!!

Great work John.

Grand vlog content Mr. Daub!! Arigato gozaimasu for your exceptional reporting. It touched our hearts as my mother in-law and husband were able to visit Hiroshima this year. ❤

Great video! I don't have war stories from my family so it is always interesting to hear from other people who have actually lived it how it was back then.

This episode was epic John.....The street car is a definitely a symbol to recognize..

This was a very interesting video to watch, John.

Very polished presentation! An insight into how people dealt with an incredible challenge. Also, this video showed your love of public transportation and familiarity the Japanese work ethic.

I can’t imagine having public transit run so soon after such a tragic event.

John that was an amazing episode! Sorry i did not watch it sooner. It’s amazing the street car could still go! It’s amazing to hear that ladies experiences and so glad her sister had survived too! It’s amazing you documented all of this and shared this with all of us! This episode might be a hard one maybe for some people to watch knowing it’s about such a tragic event. I myself have a hard time wanting to visit it. I feel the same with Pearl Harbor even though i have gone there it makes me really sad to be there. Your video has shed some light in Hiroshima for me. Maybe we can visit and I would love to ride one of those street cars now knowing how meaningful it would be! Thanks for an awesome amazing episode! I’m sure you have inspired may others too! Don’t worry the importance of this episode out shines the views! Mahalo for your hardwork 🤙🏽😊

Thanks, John, for sharing this video. My family and I will be going to Hiroshima next year.

I wait for your videos to arrive every day. Your content is so interesting and informative, I am watching from 2019 (the covid days). Your old videos made my day pass on.

John I love this documentary style video that you do! Please do more! May I offer some very humble advice? During the narrative of the more somber parts of this story, I think you need to alter your tone to reflect that emotion. (Ordinarily I thoroughly enjoy your upbeat commentary!) ❤

Thank you so much for teaching me about Japan, John! Been following you since 2020 and am always learning something new. I feel very comfortable about traveling to Japan someday, thanks to your guidance and knowledge! Love to you and your family~

Excellent video and history lesson!!

amazing Job John wow it's so cool to learn different part of history from a different perspective not just from the books. Thank you for showing us . Mind blown .

What an amazing story, John. I've been to Hiroshima twice but I have heard those stories. To have the street cars running in three days after the bomb was dropped is touching. At least, they would have that. That probably gave the people the will to go on. Thank you for sharing these stories with us. It seems like they have passed on their stories on to the younger generation who worked with them.

Thank you John

Thanks so much for sharing

This was so poweful. Thank you for doing this John. I vow to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki and pay my respects.

The devastation of that attack and the sheer loss of lives is something we should have learnt from. Above that though is the resilience and humility of the Japanese people that I have had the pleasure to meet in their country and hope in the future to continue meeting when I can return there. Thankyou John for a great presentation.

Superb presentation. Amazing job done.

This is a great documentary - very well made and eye-opening. Thank you!

Thank you for documenting this - I want to show it to my kids - a story worth being told! 😀