Three Years After That Day: Arahama

Another look at the tsunami affected area near Sendai

Justin Velgus Mar 11, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Three years later. Still so many bad memories.</p>

<p>A sewer cap surrounded by debris. </p>

<p>This concrete restroom is one of the few structures that still stands.</p>

<p>Mementos are often left by family, friends, and well wishers. </p>

<p>Cement foundations are all you can see. </p>

<p>A Kannon Goddess of Mercy was constructed near the beach as a place to pray and remember. </p>

<p>Household items found in the area are gathered here. </p>

<p>Arahama Elementary School was used as an evacuation center. Water rushed to the bottom of the third floor and some people were eventually airlifted out.</p>

<p>It is hard to imagine such a powerful force from something that looks so peaceful. </p>

Arahama is an area along the coast of Miyagi Prefecture located close to Yuriage. Although Arahama is much smaller and had a much smaller population, the tsunami's destruction was indiscriminate. The only major building left standing in the area is the elementary school. Although it will likely never again function as a school, it is kept as a reminder of that day, but also has the practical purpose of being an area for others to escape to just in case another tsunami were to ever come.

There is a small roadside area with a collection of pictures of the town before and during the tsunami. Across the street a towering image of Kannon creates a focal point for those to pray and remember. You can also take a walk to the ocean and wonder just how something so cruel can come from such a peaceful blue.

Learn more about the affected areas outside Sendai here.

2011 Tohoku Disaster

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティンベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region. Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...