Can You Believe This is Singapore?? Japanese Cemetery Park🇸🇬

[@Ahping2012]

There is a lonely japanese tomb at kepple Hill which belong to Komoto Ekasa (小本江笠) a civilian naval engineer who had worked for the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Komoto Ekasa was said to be sent to Singapore in March 1942 (17th year of Shōwa period), shortly after the fall of Singapore. He was graduated from the Tokyo Imperial University (present-day University of Tokyo) and had studied ship building. Four months after arriving at Singapore, Komoto Ekasa died, at an age of 47, due to overwork .Acknowledging his diligence and tireless efforts in working days and nights, the Imperial Japanese Navy commissioned the building of his tomb in December 1943 at the top of Mount Faber, with his tombstone facing southwards to the Keppel Harbour. A platform with steps was also constructed using red bricks supplied by the Alexandra Brickworks. There are several unknowns to this deserted tombstone at Mount Faber. First, why would the Imperial Japanese Navy commission a tombstone specially for Komoto Ekasa and not for other Japanese civilians who died in Singapore? Second, why was Komoto Ekasa not buried at the Japanese Cemetery at Yio Chu Kang Road?

[@lemeow7883]

Those aren't Durians, most likely they are Jackfruits.

[@phng8316]

Confirm is Jackfruit!

[@BeachBoi1000]

Jackfruit... Not durian...

[@JoyceWee_INFJ-T]

Durian grows on trees which are quite tall, go Ubin, there are still some there. And you wouldn’t want to stand below them. He learnt a new fruit today: Jackfruit !!!

[@rickleow736]

Ang Mo Durian 😉

[@goodgood6688]

@@rickleow736 Angmo durian is soursop

[@amylee3014]

Love how you showed us this side of Singapore (which most locals probably aren’t even aware of). Really interesting!

[@DarkwearGT]

Locals go nearby area

[@andromeda582]

When I visited, I spent a long time just reading all the inscriptions and signs around, and seeing all the history there. The Japanese were here in Singapore even before WWII, and they are part of our history. This cemetery is a unique place. It was quite a moving experience. Maybe you might like to visit Kranji War Memorial too, some time.

[@MVs1940]

Just a little fun fact, one of the highest ranking Imperial Japanese Army Soldier to ever be buried in the Japanese Cemetery park is Field-Marshal Hisaichi Terauchi. His tombstone is located at the very back in-front of the blue wall at 6:58.

[@dwaynethewokjohnson6646]

I spat on it

[@reveirg9]

I love the relationship between Japan and Singapore even though we had a dark history. It's in the past and we should let go of it, learn from it and be friends from now on. I only wished that China and Korea are able to adopt the same mentality, no one is 100% right in a war. Thank you Ghib for the educational video!

[@sarahchan4807]

My Japanese friend enjoys living here as there in no anti Japanese sentiment in Singapore.

[@miaomiao07]

I think younger people okay with it as we didnt live through that period. But older people might still feel the pain if they have lived through it

[@jackjackyphantom8854]

@@miaomiao07 Chinese (PRC) are still holding on to the past and bearing grudge towards Japanese.

[@archdraong]

​@@jackjackyphantom8854 It will rely on those younger generations to forge better relationships. Many of the older generations that suffer during that period back then are still alive, and whatever experiences and stories they shared will somehow or rather be carried over to the next generation even if it's diluted. My grandmother escaped to HK during the war from Guangdong, she had to watch in fear her mother (my great grandmother) getting gang-raped and then tortured and murdered by the Japanese soldiers then. She survived by hiding with her siblings and all the young females had their head shaved to dress like boys. She does know the current generations have nothing to do with it, but it is the government that does not do as much as the Germans do to repent that frustrates her. She still has nightmares to this day sometimes when sleeping and cries. As one who has had not lived through that, it's easy to say forgive and forget. So until the perpetrators and the survivors all live out their lives and the horrific memories diluted, time is still needed to mend.

[@jackjackyphantom8854]

@@archdraong Japanese civilians suffered too. Just like what Ghib said, many Japanese women were brought to other countries to serve the soldiers! And right now Japanese AV is huge outside of Japan and especially many Chinese men love to associates Japanese women with sexuality...

[@philipchua7349]

One of the grave was that of a famous author of Japan Futabatei Shimei. Futabatei Shimei (二葉亭 四迷) he passed away on a ship near Singapore during his trip from India to Japan and was buried in this cemetery.

[@VioletCandyz]

Hello, my old house was next to this park. There are no bodies there all have been exhumed. There are snakes there at times in the park due to the lush greenery. Not much locals actually went in there for a walk cause it was a cemetery after all. I usually love to run around the playground next to the park . If you are lucky you can pick rubber tree seeds and Angsana seeds around the area to keep. Is a quite neighborhood.

[@hansensoh]

Thanks for showing us this part of SG. Kinda enlightening to realize how wise the previous generation of sg and jp to build and maintain this as part of a reminder for later generations.

[@fatpiglane]

haha those aren't durians ghib, they are jackfruits ! 😆

[@crosbyong]

🤪😜😝

[@vtntanvt4389]

They are neither durian or jackfruit , they are cempedak

[@crosbyong]

@@vtntanvt4389 correctly pointed out. @ghib-san, FYI Cempedak is similar to jackfruit in many ways, however, cempedak are smaller than jackfruit, and the peduncle is thinner. The male inflorescence of cempedak is pale green to yellow compared to the dark green of jackfruit. The cempedak flesh is darker yellow and juicier when ripe. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artocarpus_integer

[@x0b.i]

me and my friends used to chill here alot after school when we were schooling in the area, thanks for bringing back nostalgic memories!

[@a.c.7573]

Were you from Parry Primary School which is just beside this cemetary?

[@mynameisYumi]

Finally! Glad you got the chance to visit the Japanese cemetery park

[@goodgood6688]

There's a 1974 movie called サンダカン八番娼館 望郷 (Bōkyō - literally means 'gazing at homeland'). It was about Japanese women during WW2 in Borneo (East Malaysia) who died there and their tombstones were erected facing towards their homeland, Japan.

[@jefflim7020]

@Ghib Ojisan, I just went to this Japanese Cemetery Park on Sunday :) Very nice and beautiful place!

[@souls23654]

日本人墓地を取り上げて頂き有難うございます。大阪在住の50前のオッサンです。約40年程前父の仕事の関係でシンガポールに6年程滞在してまして、もうシンガポールも当時とは全く様変わりしてしまい、Ghibさんの様々な動画見ていますがもうあまりの変わりようで少し残念な感じと記憶も風化しておりましたが、ここ日本人墓地を見た時、すごく当時がフラッシュバックしました！他の方のコメントにも書いてますが当時通ってた日本人小学校から毎年掃除しに行っていて当時の記憶のままここは残っているんだなと嬉しい気持ちになりました。実家帰った時にでも、また当時の写真を引っ張り出して当時のシンガポールを懐かしもうかなと思います。有難うございました。

[@starwith90]

Hi guys 😊 have a nice day to those who see this message.

[@GregSzarama]

You too.

[@wwpoof]

This video is interesting and an eye opener for me. I heard abt Japanese cemetery being in SG but never knew where it is located. Wow.... so it's at Kovan, sou desu ne....🤔🤔. During the 1970s, there were as many as abt 300-500k Japanese in SG coz govt sought help fm Japan to train our ppl in technical skills. There were many Japanese companies in SG back then. The information you provided abt those karayuki women, feel sad for them. The park is a beautiful final resting place for them. Hope the park stays (no area devmt fm govt). Me started to laugh when you sat under the treesy shade n flashed out a Chinese book, aiyoh you belly kawaii/ cute leh....🤣🤣. The cemetery is beautiful n quiet, nice ne 💘😍. Thanks for showing it to us 🙏🌻.

[@haroldlo8624]

I was wondering when you would do a video about the Japanese Cemetery!

[@YOSSY-cu2vm]

とても懐かしい、全然変わらず綺麗ですね。 日本人学校に在籍してた時、社会科的な授業で全校生徒で毎年掃除に行ってました🟢

[@annieteo7169]

This is hidden inside in parry avenue (landed properties enclave). It is actually quite safe and it isnt scary at all.

[@dannysoh48]

Wow I did not know this! Nice sharing!

[@KoutoDesu]

I really amazed that this place kept for so long since after the world war 2

[@g00nther]

Really informative. Thanks

[@ManShan-zs9kk]

Thank you for introducing this beautiful place and the history! Definitely going to find some time to visit. Ps you reading Chinese made me laugh (not at you but ya haha that was quite a comedic moment in this calming clip)

[@KanojoRinko]

Was waiting for this video for a long time! Really neat that you made this video about the cemetery park. I was really surprised to know it exists in land scarce Singapore. You should also check out the Japanese Association in Singapore! They usually host events for the community. I regretted not going to their Natsu Matsuri before COVID-19 struck :(

[@andromeda582]

At last! I waited for this for a long time. ;) Thank you.

[@tjohsoeitan7539]

My school was not far away from the cemetery, Parry secondary school in the 1967. The cemetery was on the left hand side of the road, at the Y junction, Parry avenue was on the right hand side, coming from yio chu kang Road.

[@soaplah7223]

wow. school closed long ago.. used to play in the fields and bbcourts as kids tho!

[@boonkua9386]

I remember too.

[@aidenkuan9047]

Bro!Thats where I live!Its very rich in history and is a lovely place to relax and sleep!

[@siewpeng6873]

I used to stay in that neighbourhood. A very different cemetery. To me this is more like a park with a rich historical background.

[@Kei-ul2pw]

からゆきさんの存在を初めて知りました。壮絶な時代の上に今があることを忘れてはいけないと改めて思えました。この公園を残してくれた日本人と動画を作ってくれたジブさんに感謝

[@abirames8925]

This is just a 10 minute walk from my place. It's really nice!

[@jynyap5179]

I burst out laughing when you read "Ta You Mao" , where there were Mao 猫 Cat ねこじゃん at the park

[@gz3540]

Me and my wife visited this place last week, too bad you missed out song kee fishball noodle just 15 mins away from this place. Btw, that is not durian, but jackfruit.

[@1337hacks]

That shelter looks like one in Shinjuku Gyoen featured in Shinkai Makoto's Garden of Words. Good layout for strangers to have a conversation.

[@formula1340]

Oh shit you're right. And it's also rainy.

[@かこちゃちゃ]

日本人学校に通ってた時に行ったことを思い出しました。懐かしいです

[@kiriny6389]

very respectful and informational!!

[@limian3599]

I read an amazing article hung up while in my family clinic (when little) Cheong clinic along Jalan Jurong Kechil. The shop houses are conserved because Dr Cheong had documentary proof of comfort women working in the shop houses. Probably the only place with documentary proof in SE Asia. Across the street is Bee Low See temple. Soldiers were chasing after victims who ran into the temple. The soldiers put down their weapons on entry into the temple. Lives were spared.

[@おい小池-k7y]

私も若い頃旅をしながら深夜特急何度も読みました。ほんとに旅人のバイブルですよね。 日本人墓地いきたくなりました。そこだけ時間が止まったような静けさがあり感慨深いものがあります

[@ethanlim9823]

We watch your videos all the time. Can't believe u were so near our home!!

[@bc5508]

8:54　あたりからの話素敵です。 確かにこの頃運動不足で散歩するようになってその時未来について考えてたなと思いました。 ときどき立ち止まってゆっくりする時間大事ですね じぶおじさんの動画は昔からゆっくりしながら見れるので大好きです。

[@哥坤-s7o]

I heard that these karayuki-sans are buried with their backs facing the Island of Japan. This is because they are too ashamed to face their motherland. I dunno if this is true. But this shows the Japanese has great pride in their nation.

[@jackjackyphantom8854]

Right! Unlike Singaporean!

[@starorcarina8525]

There is actually an abandoned Shinto shrine in Singapore deep in MacRitchie Reservoir if I’m not wrong it was called Syonan Jinja

[@syarifahnajwa5491]

The most beautiful cemetry in spore. Surprising. Not aware of its existence. Thnks Ghib-San

[@danielong1153]

他有猫 他有吃 他有吃饱 HAHAH 加油!

[@deanzaZZR]

がんばて Ghib-san. Also 加油！

[@damsie64]

Omg I was a worried for a sec cuz I thought he said “他有吃猫。”

[@geekroute]

used to cycle past there everyday when i was younger and staying in Kovan!

[@wyattearp88]

Rest In Peace

[@brasilabe3460]

シンガポール駐在経験者です。ぜひバスで行って下さい。 シンガポールはバスもすごーく便利です。

[@oceanblu83]

When i was in sec sch, i lived ard there. I will always cycle to cemetry to revise and prepare for any tests or exams... its really a peaceful place. However i cant say the same to e playgnd next to it, went there once late at nite and thats the last time i went again

[@TONIBOYDONTKILL]

Yea I lived there back then 2006ish, that playground at night its really creepy, for some reason those bright orange streetlights get absorbed by the trees shadows easily. That big sewage behind those those house it’s scary as well, local always told me to avoid taking the back road cuz it’s “dirty”.

[@mikaneko1]

中学生の時に学校の図書室にあった深夜特急を読みました！ マカオ編でのギャンブルざんまいが頭に残っていて、シンガポール編は正直あまり覚えていないです😅 今はシンガポールに興味津々なので、また読み返したくなりました 一人旅に憧れたきっかけはこの本だったかもしれません 私もトラベラーズチェックを使ってみたかった...w

[@youngspore8600]

It's jackfruits . Jackfruit has a subtle sweet and fruity flavor. It's not pungent as durian.

[@Levi-di1pw]

There's a gensui hisaichi terauchi , former minister of war and commander of the southern expeditionary forces burried over here .

[@山梨-u4p]

懐かしいですねえ、ジャパ中にいた時に皆で掃除しに行きました

[@japrpg]

was not prepared for the sudden Zelda ambush

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

That fruit is not durian .. its jackfruit or also known as nangka.. the seed when boiled can be eaten. It taste like chestnut.. while the ripe yellow flesh is sweet. It can be also eaten unripe or young they are used to cook a mild curry .. add abit of salted fish .. heavenly eaten with hot rice

[@Valent_Nomad_vlog]

Nice video! I plan also to explore it

[@kraekern]

Hougangに住んでるんだけど、こんなとこがあったのは全然知らんかったわ。ナイス！

[@sugiya2462]

日本にいるとなかなか注目しない日本の歴史を教えてくれてありがとうございます。日本のマイナスな一面(どこの国も表裏一体ですが…)とおだやかで居心地の良さそうな公園で印象に残る動画ですね❗️

[@siewgeklee9725]

That is the cousin of the durian. Is jackfruit n is wrapped up to keep away from the bees which will affect the fruits

[@benchew3845]

Uh their are not durains they are jackfruits

[@tkyap2524]

Yes, don't waste time. But do take time off to relax, recharge, and be refreshed. Working smart is more productive than working hard all the time.

[@Gonsan55asia]

貴重な場所をご紹介頂いてありがとうございます。 実写版の深夜特急でもここでロケが行われましたね。Ghib Ojisaのお話を聞きながら、そのシーンを思い出しました。

[@nasil2200]

Have to visit this place when I go back to Singapore!

[@あっちゃん-q5y]

お久しぶりです!沢木耕太郎!大好きだった高校生の頃を思いだしました。インドに向かう沢木耕太郎さんのその時の気持ちを思い出しました。懐かしいです。 痛ましい戦争の傷跡と墓地に眠る若き日本人の少女、女性達を思い追悼の意味でインドに向かったのだと思います。🙏インドのネパール？！🧘🇨🇮🇮🇳行ってみたいなー!死ぬまでには一度は訪れたい国です。 今は、中学校美術教員を目指すべく奮闘中です。何故か苦手な英語の授業でTandTで一つの教室で生徒に英語の勉強をさせるよう促すだけの仕事をしてます。５ヶ月になるのに教える事ができず困ってますが、寝屋川市の中学校で生徒と仲良く成って楽しく先生生活してます。ジブリおじさんも奥様と仲良く💏、シンガポール人とも楽しくしておられるようで何よりです。🤭🥰🙇

[@ahwongnextdoor]

Your mandarin articulation is good! Made my day too! Ft. "他有猫" "他有吃" "他有吃饱"

[@tomoxiraixi]

とげとげの果実、ジャックフルーツっぽい。 それはさておき。 国家としての歴史が浅いからシンガポールはつまらないという人もいますが、土地と人の歴史は建国の遥か昔からあり、その歴史の一部にはこのようなお話と史跡もあり、作られた観光地以外にも歴史を感じられる場所があるのが魅力ですね。

[@GhibOjisan]

おっしゃるとおりです！

[@1954AZMI]

この墓地は、かつてシンガポールを訪れた際、何度かお詣りしました。現地の方がよくお世話され、美しい公園ですね。多面的な歴史の重みを感じます。ご紹介ありがとうございました。

[@alvinmah6148]

Sniff sniff..Oh yeah these are durians for sure! 😳(actually those are jackfruits)

[@So_So]

Hello Ghib san, is the novel midnight express available in English?

[@NK_Khoo-Malaysian]

Penang also got a Japanese cemetery, beside the P. Ramlee museum.

[@kamikaze1987]

I suggest placing Google map links to the destinations visited in your vlogs.

[@Noric-tz8gb]

私は５回は行っています。シンガポール日本人会の方々がお堂の清掃をやっています。清掃に当たるとお堂の中に入ってお参りできます。 静かで良い所ですよね。

[@kennyzeng21]

wow didnt even know this place existed in Kovan. nice....

[@hansensoh]

Btw, Durians don't typically hang so low, and have much sharper torn. That's Jackfruit a.k.a. "Manga" (not Japanese language). Question: is it compulsory for Japanese to "talk" to neko, whenever they see one? 🤪

[@gavinyuen040680]

the pink flowers arent pink, the pink part is actually the leaves, the flower is the small white center

[@hogster1475]

Grew up in that area. Been to it a few times.

[@Baphomet20000]

素敵な動画でした😌

[@shinichi_kun]

今年はコロナの影響でシンガポール自体に行けませんでしたが、僕の勤務校は修学旅行で必ず旅の最後にその日本人墓地に行き、読経してきます。仏教系の学校なので。僕もこれまでに4回行きました。そこに立っている墓地の地図がなかなかいいんですよね。管理人さんがいればその地図を印刷したものを買えます。

[@jeffereyloh728]

there is also an abandoned shinto shrine in macritchie

[@LuueeJanice]

Wow..definitely gonna be visiting here next time.

[@scarletty8505]

Hey Ghib, that's not a durian 🤣 It's a jackfruit and it also has a very pungent smell similar to durians.

[@geokinski]

To understand the history of Karayuki-san better, you should try to look for this documentary made in 1975 - "Karayuki-san, the making of a prostitute". In the documentary, a Japanese journalist traveled to Singapore and Malaysia to interview the last surviving Karayuki-san's back then. Most of them would not be alive today, and many of them could not return home due to discrimination from their own countrymen. Most of them worked at where Bugis Junction shopping mall is today (Malay Street), and local Chinese used to call it "日本街" or "Japan Street".

[@eHannahMontana]

a bit surreal to see safe entry at a cemetery lol 7:35

[@koalatheworld]

Otto was right to say Singapore was boring during his time. The country hasn't changed since his death.

[@leejoelle560]

These are not durian but jackfruit.

[@reyskidude]

so much comment on the "durian" on a video about a cemetery 😂 04:53 i remember seeing Bidadari cemetery (Woodleigh area) with the huge gates and angel statue on the gate post around 1996... never got to set foot inside though, and now its a carpet of HDB blocks... you may want to explore Bukit Brown forest cemetery (now with Lornie Highway flying over it), and the remnants of Kopi Sua cemetery (sliced by the PIE near Whitley)... while they're still around

[@foodmore]

I’m a 35year old Singaporean and I didn’t even know such a place existed !

[@keisukeimagawa1100]

深夜特急シリーズやってほしいね

[@DamienMatsuo]

昨年シンガポールに行った際 お参りしに行きました。 確か蚊取り線香を考案した方の お墓もそこにあったような、、、

[@clarciel]

definitely important to take breaks

[@JohnDoe-cy4zd]

They are jackfruit not durian. There spikes are shorter and they are growling very Low as compared to durians

[@chowsing6000]

The sad story behind, please rest in peace

[@UnTouchGamingHD]

What tune was that from when you're playing the ukulele? It sounds really familiar but I can't put my head to where i heard that from before...

[@たんごろ-i1h]

日本の教育って、日本史も世界史もあんまり掘り下げてないなーって思います。 今は違うのかなぁ？？

[@ssmobile7058]

Sorry sir may i know how to go there, stop at which mrt?

[@jasnisudin2668]

I want to visit tani yutaka grave, I want to give respect to him

[@HatdogNiPins]

Is this near Kovan?

[@siewgeklee9725]

I heard there is a Japanese cemetery near my Primary School n every year there will be a bus load of Japanese visiting the cemetery

[@gorodn009]

Thank you for showing us this beautiful cemetery park and how the Japanese Association fought to keep it. Maybe in future you can visit Bukit Brown as well, the biggest Chinese cemetery outside of China. Bukit Brown is also in danger of been affected by redevelopment so any awareness and exposure will be good.

[@YoutiaoVlogs]

Nice cooling weather work from home 😊

[@cheeweistephenlim8372]

We just run from sengkang to Japanese cemetry last week.