Revisiting the 2011 tsunami: people, place, stories

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum

The unprecedented compound disaster has claimed thousands of lives and has changed the those of many more people forever. It reminded us not to take everyday life with family and friends for granted. Now that disasters occur more often than ever, there are things we need to remember or learn again. We hope that the hardships that Fukushima has faced can be helpful in the future. The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum is waiting for you with such thoughts.

MICHINOEKI-NAMIE

Namie Town is a small town in the area called "Hama-dori" on the coast of Fukushima Prefecture.There are many things that Namie Town is proud ofThe cherry blossoms on the Ukedo River line in the spring, the cosmos flowers that bloom all over in the fall, and the Ukedo fishing port where you can catch abundant seafood. Namie is also home to the"Obori Soma Yaki," pottery with a running horse pattern, "Namie Yakisoba," a famous noodle dish, and the famous sake "Iwaki Kotobuki".

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident forced all the townspeople to evacuate. However, our home that has lost everything once is now on a new path again.We are embracing new challenges such as hydrogen power generation aiming at local production for local consumption.

Ruins of the Great East Japan Earthquake : Namie Ukedo Elementary School

The Ukedo Elementary School, which is a symbol of the region, has been maintained and preserved as an earthquake disaster remains, and is open to the public as an opportunity to think about disaster mitigation and as a facility to pass on our experiences to future generations.

"More than 10 years have passed since the earthquake and the nuclear accident, and the memories of the time before the disaster are gradually fading. I want Ukedo Elementary School to be a memorial facility that conveys the lessons of the earthquake and also a place where locals can gather again.

Moon Road Starlight Cafe

The Osu coast stretches 5.2 km in a straight line that runs between the Pacific Ocean and Matsukawaura. Sit on a breakwater constructed after the 2011 tsunami at a dark beach with no street lights around you, and gaze at the starry sky and moonlight while enjoying freshly brewed coffee and sweets of Soma City. Would you like to relax by listening to the sound of the waves of the Pacific Ocean?

On the day of the event, the young master of the inn will guide you to the place where the moon looks the largest and the stars can be seen beautifully. You can experience the history and culture of Japan through this exquisite coffee time.

Soma's famous charcoal-grilled "Hamayaki" experience dinner

Most people who visited Matsukawaura before the earthquake, were thrilled by the scent of charcoal-grilled flatfish, squid, and corn from the storefront of each inn. The young masters of Matsukawaura Ryokan have revived this nostalgic [Matsukawaura no Hamayaki].

Starting from making a charcoal fire, it is actually quite difficult to cook skewers and fish! The "young masters of Matsukawaura Ryokan" will teach you how to do it while sharing their thoughts on the recovery process. Whether the outcome is tasty depends on your skill! If you, do it right, the fish will be exquisite.Enjoy Hamayaki baked with a young master for lunch or dinner.

2011 Tsunami and Earthquake Victims Memorial Hall of Soma City / Memorial monument

This facility is meant to ease the heart of the bereaved families and was built in memory of the victims of the earthquake. It shall pass on the memories of the scenery of the Obama / Haragama area and Isobe area, which were damaged by the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake, to future generations and provide a place for visitors to interact. Exhibits include photographs of pre-earthquake landscapes and local events, as well as video records of the day of the earthquake.

Wada Kanko Sweet Strawberry Garden

Soma City [Wada Kanko Sweet Strawberry Garden] The Wada Sightseeing Strawberry Association cultivates a total of six types of strawberries in a greenhouse, including Akihime, Sachinoka, Tochiotome, Fukuharuka, Benihoppe, and Ascarby. You can enjoy strawberry picking and eat as much as you want for 30 minutes.

We also sell very sweet strawberries freshly picked in the morning ? which makes a perfect souvenir. If you make a reservation by the day before, you can also have a barbecue. Ingredients such as meat, seafood, and fresh vegetables will be flexibly adapted to your taste.

Hamanoeki Matsukawaura

This area suffered from the tsunami damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and reputational damage caused by the nuclear accident. Before the earthquake, Matsukawaura Fishing Port prospered as one of Japan's leading ports. Although the port facilities have been rebuilt, the local fishing industry is currently only allowed to run "test fishing", in which radioactive contamination is strictly monitored. The facility was constructed as a symbol of recovery to dispel rumors about Matsukawaura's marine products and restore the bustle of the beach. In order to promote "local production for local consumption", which is a prerequisite for dispelling harmful rumors, it is necessary to provide citizens with local, fresh and affordable products.

For many citizens and tourists to visit our market, we will strive to become "Soma’ kitchen" and a popular tourist spot.