Disaster Heritage Site: Uketo Primary School

　Fifteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. I have finally been able to visit the disaster-stricken areas of Fukushima.

　Although nearly 80% of Namie Town is still designated as a ‘difficult-to-return zone’ and access is prohibited, Uketo Primary School is open to visitors as a disaster heritage site.

　A tsunami reaching a maximum height of 15.5 metres swept through Namie Town, claiming the lives of 182 people and dealing a devastating blow to the town. However, the 82 pupils and staff of the primary school evacuated to Mt Ohira, nearly 1 km away, and all survived. That said, Mt Ohira is more of a hill than a mountain, and the trailhead was difficult to locate. It was a stroke of luck that one of the pupils had previously visited the mountain with a youth sports club and knew where the trailhead was. After taking refuge on the high ground, the pupils, unable to return to the town, attempted to evacuate to the town hall, more than 5 km away. It is said that they were able to evacuate safely after being allowed to ride in the back of a lorry that happened to be passing by.

　There is no experience quite like visiting the site in person. This is a facility I would highly recommend visiting if you have the opportunity.