The city of Hiroshima lost most everything by the atomic bomb. However, just three days after the atomic bomb, there was a tram transporting people slowly across the scorched land. Seventy-seven years later, the tram that was exposed to the atomic bomb still runs as it did on that fateful morning. Now nicknamed “A-bombed Tram”, the tram will be part of a special tram tour project.

Hiroshima’s street trams are an iconic fixture of the city. They are operated by Hiroshima Electric Railway which has preserved three trams that survived the atomic bomb. The No. 651, 652, and 653 trams. (Another surviving tram, the No. 654, is displayed at the Numaji Transportation Museum in Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima.)

　The No. 651 and 652 trams still carry many people commuting to work or school every morning across the city. Meanwhile, the No. 653 is a special tram used for students on a school trip and peace education events. It has large video monitors on board.

For this special tram tour project, this No. 653 tram will be used in various events.

Planning this project is Kamio Masahiro (left in the photo), head of the Planning Department at RCC Broadcasting based in Hiroshima. “This project started in 2015, the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing. Since hibakusha atomic bomb survivors are aging, we wondered how we can pass on their hibakusha stories. That’s how the project started.”

　Higashi Koichi (right in the photo), Hiroshima Electric Railway’s Deputy General Manager of Tram Business Operations, recalls how the project started. “The A-bombed Tram has been running since the post-war recovery period. We talked about what we could do with this tram and decided to work together.”

No. 653 tram and the atomic bomb-exposed pump near the Enkobashi-cho tram stop.

　Through the cooperation of both RCC Broadcasting and Hiroshima Electric Railway, the special tram tour project is planning to have the No. 653 tram offer tours around the city of Hiroshima. It will be a special tour route starting from Hiroshima Station, running on the Hijiyama Line, passing by the Hiroden Honsha-mae and Hiroden Nishi-Hiroshima tram stops before arriving at Genbaku Dome-mae in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome.

　The large video monitors in the tram will explain the main points of interest along the tram tour route. With photos, video clips, and a narrator, the city’s wartime and postwar history will be explained.

　Also, a livestream presentation to the world will show the scenery of Hiroshima on August 6th from the tram window, the No. 653 tram running in the city, and the content being shown on the video monitor inside the tram.

　The tram’s blue and gray livery reproduces the color theme on the tram which ran on the day of the atomic bomb.

　”During wartime, there weren’t enough drivers to drive the trams. Men in their prime were sent to war, and female college students took their place as tram drivers. Therefore, many of the women drivers were exposed to the atomic bomb. We regard this as an important part of our company history that we will definitely pass on. By continuing to run our trams, we want to continue conveying the history of Hiroshima to the world,” says Mr. Higashi. From the horrors of the atomic bomb, Hiroshima Electric Railway, together with the people of Hiroshima, has risen step by step toward recovery.

　Also, from the standpoint of a local broadcasting station, RCC Broadcasting’s Mr. Kamio remarked, “This project continues with the theme of “Toward the future.” How can we connect the history of the war and the atomic bombing to the future? By using the A-bombed Tram, a symbol of Hiroshima, I hope we can convey even a little something. And to as many people around the world as possible. We hope they will see this A-bombed Tram still gallantly running and think about peace.” He expressed the significance of continuing this project.

　Due to the pandemic, we could not ride tram during the past two years. However, this year during August 6th to 9th, a special tram will run seven times in Hiroshima carrying people selected from the public. Please apply to join our A-bombed Tram project to think about peace and connect it to the future.

[2022 Tour Schedule]

Aug. 6th (Sat.)		Aug. 7th (Sun.)		Aug. 8th (Mon.)		Aug. 9th (Tue.)
Depart 10:30	Depart 14:00	Depart 10:30	Depart 14:00	Depart 10:30	Depart 14:00	Depart 10:30	Depart 14:00
×	Max. 15 passengers	Max. 15 passengers	Max. 15 passengers	Max. 15 passengers	Max. 15 passengers	Max. 15 passengers	Max. 15 passengers

A-bombed Tram Tour Project

Website: https://rcc.jp/tram/

Application period for riding the tram:

Your application must reach us within June 20th (Mon.) to July 15th, 2022 (Fri.).