The Main Street of Namie-machi
On one of the main streets of this town, buildings lie in a state of collapse, and the lack of signs of life contributes to the eerie atmosphere.
Major Buildings Remain Damaged
Many buildings, like this one in the foreground, collapsed during the earthquake or were damaged by the tsunami. Town officials still have not been able to remove them.
A Fishing Boat Left by a Highway
An abandoned fishing boat rests by a highway about a mile inland from the Pacific Ocean. The devastating tsunami carried it to this site.
In the Tsunami’s Path
Viewers get a sense of the absolute devastation visited upon many coastal regions, such as here in Ishinomaki, where the damage was immense.
Boat out of Water
Ukedo Harbor once boasted 140 fishing boats and 500 buildings, but suffered some of the worst tsunami damage, according to the town’s mayor.
Cleanup Continues
Two years after the earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear crisis devastated Japan, cleanup efforts continue, such as here in Onagawa, Oshika District, Miyagi Prefecture.
A Place of Learning No More
The Kamaishi Municipal Toni elementary school was completely destroyed and is going to be demolished.
The Disaster Gutted Production Sites
Here viewers can see the former production site and shop of the renowned Tohoku cake, Kamome no Tamago, which was washed away by the water.
Documenting the Disaster
The Digital Archiving of Buildings Affected by Great East Japan Earthquake project creates, saves and publicizes photographic documentation of buildings damaged by the disaster.
Rikuzentakata Civic Center Destroyed
The tsunami reached the ceiling and severely damaged the whole building, leaving large chunks of shattered concrete strewn about.