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…
- Fukushima
- Spot introduction
