I
visited Iwate prefecture to attend a meeting with my friends. The visiting places
include Morioka City, Miyako City, Yamada Town, Otsuchi Town, Kamaishi City and
Tono City.
Four
of them -- Miyako, Yamada, Otschi and Kamaishi -- locate in the Sanriku coastal
areas. They were severely hit by the earthquake and tsunami disasters in 2011.
More
than seven years have passed after the quake and tsunami disasters. Towns have
been reconstructed (and they are still being rebuilt). Lands have been lifted. New
roads have been made. Large sea walls have been constructed. Still, many people live in temporary houses and have no jobs.
The situation is changing day by day.
Miyako
City
The
water came into the city over the river banks in the central part of Miyako
City. Visit "3 years after the quake @ Iwate" posted in 2014.
The famous photo left was taken by a municipal staff on the day of the disaster.
The
banks have been reinforced in some parts and have been kept as they had been in
some parts.
They have built new water gates at the mouth of the river.
I
had a boat tour in the sea along the city. Countless black-tailed gull were flying.
People
enjoyed their times in the Jodogahama beach. (See the 4th photo from the top)
The Seawalls
There
are huge seawalls built at the seashore.
The photo was taken in Miyako City. (See also the second photo from the top)
I felt as if I were in a world in a big wall.
The photo was taken between Miyako City and Yamada Town. We can not see the sea from the road. (See also the 3rd photo from the top)
This
photo was taken between Yamada Town and Otsuchi Town. (See also the top photo)
Yamada
Town
The
town was completely burnt out after the disaster (Tsunami causes fire in many
case). New town is being built.
The
railway is planned to reopen in 2019. New station building is being made. (See the 5th photo from the top)
They
are also developing new shopping facilities in front of the station.
Otsuchi
Town
A
new cultural center “Oshacchi” opened this spring. It exhibits photos, panels
and other materials related to the disasters.
The
town decided to dismantle the old town hall. The works is expected to start soon.
The opinion divided on whether they should keep or dismantle the hall.
I
saw the scene of the town from Shiroyama Park on a hill. Those who climbed up here survived in the day of the quake and tsunami, and saw the town washed out and many people killed in front of them. A monument to console the victims stands here.
Construction works continue in many places in the town.
The
Horai island is known as a model of Hyokkori-hyotan jima (island), the homeland of the country's legendary
TV drama. Sea walls are being developed around here.
Unosumai,
suburb of Kamaishi City
Unosumai
was severely hit by the tsunami disaster. They will host some matches of the rugby
world cup in 2019. The new stadium is under construction.
Nebama
district had a beautiful beach before the disaster. It disappeared. People are
active in revitalizing the community.
Kamaishi
City
They
have a set of huge breakwater in the Kamaishi Bay. It is more than 60-meter
deep.
The
old breakwaters were destroyed by the tsunami disaster in 2011. They were partially effective in
weakening tsunami washing into Kamaishi City, although they failed to prevent
the disaster itself.
New
breakwaters were rebuilt after the disaster.
Tono
City
Tono
is an inland city. It is known as a city of folklore.
Famous
folklorist Kunio Yanagida collected old folklores and wrote a book titled “Tono
monogatari” in the early 20th century.
Old
houses are collected in a cultural district. Talking is played in a theater.
Agricultural fields and pastures spread around the city.
Morioka City
In Morioka, the capital of the prefecture and an inland city, I stayed Tsunagi Onsen resort place. I enjoyed hot spring.
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