Tram 653 is an A-bombed train, which was heavily damaged by the atomic bomb near the Eba area on August 6, 1945, but was restored four months later and put back into operation. It ran in the city of Hiroshima until 2006, when it was retired from active service. In 2015, it was restored with the original colors it wore in 1945, as part of the commemorations of the 70th Anniversary of the A-bombing. Since then, it has been in special operation every year for a limited number of days after August 6th, the day of the A-bombing. With the G7 Summit to be held in Hiroshima amidst growing concerns about the use of nuclear weapons, due to recent world events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we have decided to conduct this monitor tour in order to consider making the Tram 653 tour a regular service, where passengers can learn about the journey of Hiroshima’s revival through visual programs supplemented by an interpreter-guide.

You will time travel to the calm, peaceful cityscape of Hiroshima before the A-bombing through an elaborate VR video, created based on historical material including the testimonies of many A-bomb survivors and a huge number of photographs. The first highlight is based on the testimony of Mr. Eizo Nomura, the closest A-bomb survivor to the hypocenter. He was exposed to the bombing in the basement of the Rest House, located just 170 meters from the hypocenter. You will walk around the park, experiencing through VR Hiroshima’s journey from “that day,” when the city was burnt to the ground, to the present day, while observing the city’s recovery over time. At the end of the tour, you will feel the importance of “creating peace.”

Trained guides, who are Hiroshima Electric Railway employees, will take you to the “Hiroshima Electric Railway Garage,” which is normally off-limits to visitors. The A-bombed buildings in the garage are still in existence and can be viewed up close. There will be plenty of time for commemorative photos with the A-bombed trains.