Anniversary Reflection: Sharing Testimonies of Hiroshima's Two Devastating Events after 80 Years

A volunteer tour guide in Hiroshima Prefecture is dedicated to sharing the tales of two calamities - the US atomic bomb attack and the subsequent massive typhoon - that ravaged the western Japanese region 80 years ago.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 28 . 8:50 AM

2 min read

Commemorating Eight Decades: Hiroshima Guide Sharing Tales of Two Catastrophes

In the peaceful city of Hiroshima, Japan, a 78-year-old local history guide named Hironobu Mizukami is making a significant impact. With over 20 years of service, Mizukami has been informing people about the city's dark past and the valuable lessons that can be learned from it.

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II, a tragedy that claimed countless lives. Mizukami often speaks about this event during his guided tours, emphasising the increased risk of a mudslide due to tree cutting during the war.

One of the places Mizukami takes his tourists is a memorial monument near the site of the Ono Army Hospital. Tragically, a typhoon-caused mudslide hit this hospital in Hatsukaichi a month after the atomic bombing, killing over 150 people, most of whom were atomic bomb survivors and members of a team from Kyoto University.

The typhoon, known as Typhoon Ida in Japan and Typhoon Makurazaki, is considered one of the three biggest to hit Japan during the Showa era (1926-1989). The storm claimed 2,012 lives in Hiroshima alone.

Mizukami stresses the importance of applying these lessons from these tragedies to disaster prevention and peace-related efforts. He believes that understanding the past can help us build a better future.

In February 2013, a symposium on Typhoon Makurazaki was held in Hatsukaichi, with Mizukami likely in attendance, sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.

As a guide located in Hiroshima Hatsukaichi, Mizukami's tours offer a unique and educational experience, providing insights into the city's history and the important lessons that can be learned from its past. His dedication to educating others about these events is a testament to his commitment to peace and disaster prevention.