Kesennuma City Great East Japan Earthquake Remains and Memorial Hall

Overview

The Kesennuma City Great East Japan Earthquake Remains and Memorial Hall was established to pass down the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011. The former Kesennuma Koyo High School building, flooded to the fourth floor during the disaster, has been preserved as a disaster relic, allowing visitors to see its condition as it was left after the tsunami. Inside the school building, debris and furniture left behind by the surging tsunami remain untouched, offering a starkly realistic depiction of the event. The destruction caused by the tsunami's force from the first to third floors is particularly striking, serving as a powerful reminder of the destructive power of natural disasters. The adjacent memorial hall provides a detailed account of the disaster's progression from its onset to the recovery process, utilizing photos, videos, and panels. The exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including the initial impact of the quake, the experiences of those affected, rescue efforts, and recovery initiatives. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of the events. The hall also features information about Kesennuma's local history, culture, and industry, illustrating how the city developed before the earthquake and its subsequent recovery. The Kesennuma City Great East Japan Earthquake Remains and Memorial Hall isn't simply a place to convey the tragedy of the earthquake; it's also a place to learn about the importance of disaster preparedness, the strength of community bonds, and the hope for reconstruction. Please visit to help keep the memory of the Great East Japan Earthquake alive and pass it on to future generations.