Unosumai & Otsuchi in Sanriku: June 10-11, 2023 (off Tokyo)

I visited the Sanriku coastal areas again. The areas were severely hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disasters in 2011. I often visited there in the 2010s, but it was my first visit after the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Unosumai area in Kamaishi City was seriously damaged by tsunami. While more than 500 boys, girls and kids of elementary and junior-high schools successfully evacuated from the waves, many people stayed in a shelter in the central town were killed. Lands were widely washed out.

The levels of the lands have been raised and new residential areas have been developed. New buildings of junior-high and elementary schools have been built on a hill.

The photo shows a scene in 2016. Many things have changed. 

The pine trees in Nebama beach survived the disaster. (See the 3rd photo) I stayed at a hotel there.

 

A rugby stadium was developed in 2018 in the site where elementary and junior-high schools once stood. The stadium was used in the rugby world cup in 2019. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

A huge water gate was complete in 2021. (See also the top photo)

 

Tsunami memorial and other related facilities were open in 2019.

The Sanriku Railway Rias Line fully reopened in 2020. (See the 4th photo)

Still, there remain many questions and challenges. Decrease of population does not stop. There are some criticisms against a policy to make huge infrastructure building a priority.

I also visited Otsuchi Town in the northern neighboring town of Unosumai.

A town hall was hit by tsunami and 28 people were killed. The ruin of the hall had been preserved till 2019. Then, it was demolished.

 

The photo shows the scene in June in 2018. The hall still remained.

Only the sculptures of Jizo, guardian of child deity, and some information boards are now in the place.

More than 12 years have passed since the disaster. I got many new questions in my visit this time.