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All Japan Tokyo War-Damaged Utility Pole Monument

War-Damaged Utility Pole Monument

A sad reminder of the World War II bombing stands largely unnoticed on a street corner.

Tokyo, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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The war-damaged utility pole of Misuji.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The war-damaged utility pole of Misuji.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A closer look at the damage.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The plaque.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

On March 10, 1945, during World War II, American fighters bombed Tokyo, an incendiary attack that claimed more than 100,000 lives overnight. Much of the city's historic downtown districts was burned to the ground.

Unnoticed by most people, a single utility pole in the Misuji district survived this air raid ... barely. While it looks like the remains of a tree hit by a lightning, it is monument to the bombing attack. It represents the tragedy of war and the city's resolve to defend world peace forever, according to the nearby plaque.

Although the plaque does not mention it, this is not the original war-damaged utility pole, but an exact replica of it made of porcelain. The original pole is on display at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in the Ryōgoku district, not far away.

Related Tags

World War Ii Monuments Infrastructure Memorials Military

Know Before You Go

The closest train station is Kuramae station, approximately five minutes away. It can also be reached from the Asakusa and Asakusabashi stations, about 10 to 15 minutes away by foot.

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Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Edited By

calton

  • calton

Published

June 17, 2020

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Sources
  • https://senseki-kikou.net/?p=497
  • https://ja.foursquare.com/v/%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E5%A4%A7%E7%A9%BA%E8%A5%B2%E3%81%A7%E7%84%BC%E3%81%91%E6%AE%8B%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F%E9%9B%BB%E6%9F%B1/4bd142ea462cb713fd06da07
War-Damaged Utility Pole Monument
1-chōme-13-12 Misuji
Taito City
Tokyo, 111-0055
Japan
35.704129, 139.785971
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Jinnai Shrine

Tokyo, Japan

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Photo of Tokyo

Tokyo

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Stories 13

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tokyo

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