Minamisoma, Iitate in Fukushima (off Tokyo): July 17, 2018

I passed through Fukushima Prefecture many times by Shinkansen bullet train after the nuclear plant accident in 2011. It was, however, the first time for me to walk in the cities and villages in Fukushima after 2011.

I took a train of the Joban Line at Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, moved southward along the sea coast. Some rice fields in the area were covered with the sea water and seriously damaged. They now returned to former situation.

I arrived at Haranomachi Station, the central part of Minamisoma City. The station is about 25 km from the Fukushima Daiichi (No1) Nuclear Power Plant. 

People look to have returned to their daily lives, at least in the surface. They were walking the streets, driving cars, working inside and outside the office, and shopping in the stores.

Still the influence of the nuclear accident is found in various points.

There are many facilities to support people recovering from the damages of the accidents. They also support the activities of NPOs.

The pollution maps of the radiation were displayed on the shop’s window.

Minamisoma is famous for its production of good horses. They have the Nomaoi festival every year. It will be held from 27 to 29 of July this year. (See the 4th photo from the top)

About 500 horses are planned to gather in the main arena.

Grass cutting and other preparation works were being made. 

I moved from Minamisoma to Fukushima City through mountainous areas by bus. The bus stopped at Iitate village on the way.

Iitate village was polluted by radioactive materials after the nuclear accident in 2011. About 6000 residents were forced to move outside of the village.

Nuclear decontamination works were made. Restrictions to enter the areas was gradually lifted and people started to return to the village. Parts of the area are still restricted to enter.

The bus station was placed at a commercial facility called Michi-no-eki (road station) Madei-kan. It opend in 2017. (See the 3rd photo from the top)

They started to cultivate the field. (See also the top Photo)

Large flower glasshouses have been built. (See the 2nd photo from the top) The business is operated by a joint venture set by the village and Akatsuka Co., a flower company in Mie Prefecture.

Though people's loves and business started to move, there are many things to do. Most fields are left unused and are covered with natural grasses. 

Some parts were covered with plastic sheets (I could not confirm what were inside).

The future of nuclear decontamination is not yet clear. There is a long list of questions.

I arrived in Fukushima City, the capital of Fukushima Prefecture. The street in front of the railway station was modern and busy.

There still remain many people in Fukushima City from Iitate village and other nuclear accident-hit communities.