Lobang Jepang - Japanese bunker - Japanese Tunnel, Bukittinggi West Sumatera Indonesia

Lobang Jepang / Japanese Bunker is the historical attractions in Bukittinggi, West Sumatera Indonesia. Japan was created this tunel to protect the army defence of Japan around 1942.

History

Lobang Jepang / Japanese Bunker / Japan Tunel was built as a storage of all supplies and equipment for Japanese army with 1400 m long. The tunnel width dimension is 2 meters. Inside the tunnels have special rooms including surveilance, ambush space, jail, and storage. Located of the tunnel is so strategic in the center of the city as formerly was an administrative goverment of central Sumatera. The land became the wall of the tunnel is a type of soil that if mixed with water will be more sturdy. Even the earthquake at western of Sumatera in 2009, there are no much damages the structure of the tunnel. 

Japan Bunker in Bukittinggi is one of the longest holes in Asia reaching more than 6 kilometers and some tunnel can go through around Sianok Canyon area, Jam gadang located next to the Palace of Bung Hatta, and also at Fort De Kock who entrance in the territory of the Zoo of Bukittinggi.

The process of the tunnels was involved by ten to hundred of thousand of forced labor or Romusha were deployed from the Java island, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan to dig the tunnel. To choose of labor outside this regions is main reason, because this is Top Secret or confidentially of megaproject. The workers from Bukittinggi will acomodate to work on the tunnel defense in Bandung and Biak island. The instruction to build this tunnel by Lietenant Moritake Tanabe. Safety tunnel for Japanese purposes reputedly able to withstand the explosion of bombs weightingg 500 kg. This tunnel construction was completed in 1944 with the depth 49 meters below ground level.

in 1950 was the first time discovered by local people or Goverment, the entrance door of Japan bunker just 20 cm width and 64 meters depth. In 1984, the local Goverment open to the publicity purposes with several improvement such as the entrance door will be more comfort to walk in. But reallt sad, the walls have rebuild by cement to close any additional electrical panels that not reflected as originally wall. 

The situation inside the bunker

After walk-in the entrance door and some stairs go throught in to the tunnel, you can see less than 1,5 km to see all of inside the bunker. It take 20 minutes only to reach the end of path. For the constructions can lead to the Canyon was given by iron limiting. But, there was a small hallway with 21 functions, started as an assortment ammunition, escape door, meeting space, space ambush and prison. Tour guide will explained the history behind this area.

The Japanese tunnels with specific contour of the wall made uneven and a little cramped and niched. The function of this overdraft is for the sound in the tunnel does not resonate. So if prisoners were tortured, his/hes voices just the hallway can hear.

If you rent a Japanese Bunker's guide, he/she will explained how Japanese army treat local Indonesia worker as Romusha and will get death pinalty if they do not follow rules and requirement. One of the sadness story of Indonesia. 

How to get there.

Just 10 minutes walked from Jam Gadang. 

The entrance fee

For local and foreigner will be chraged with difference cost. And if you need an assistace of Japanese Tunnel guide, ask your tour guide to accomplish it.


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Source : Wikipedia and other media.