Build the Memory
“Mirai e no kioku” means “Build the Memory” in Japanese. That’s what Google is trying to do with this Website. We’ll start with the coastal Miyahi Prefecture, which was largely leveled in the disaster.
Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Before
This shows the quiet town in June 2008, long before the earthquake and tsunami.
Ishinomaki After
The buildings you saw in the previous slide were leveled and swept away as seen in this image captured by Google Street View in July 2011.
Onagawa, Oshika District, Miyagi Prefecture, Before
Here is Onagawa as recorded by Street View in July 2008 before the disaster, stacked with bustling buildings.
Onagawa After
Onagawa’s buildings have largely been swept away, as seen in this August 2011 view.
Shinchi Before
This is Shinchi, with plenty of trees and shrubs, before the tsunami in July 2008.
Shinchi After
The vegetation has been ripped from the ground, leaving bare soil, as recorded just this past November.
Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture
Google’s Street View doesn’t have before footage of every Japanese prefecture that suffered from the tsunami, but it did take some after pictures of affected areas in the Iwate Prefecture. This shot was taken in August 2011.
Otsuchi, Kamihei District, Iwate Prefecture
Buildings were shredded, but some were left standing in Otsuchi, as seen in October 2011.
Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture
In Kesennuma a large ship lies marooned on dry land next to a coastal road as record in July.