Gaia Series 45 : Don't give up on your hometown - 13 years after the earthquake

Once a ghost town after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Namie is now thriving, showcasing a remarkable tale of resilience and rebirth.

On a crisp February day, the small yet spirited town of Namie in Fukushima Prefecture transforms into a lively destination. Cars, bearing license plates from distant locales such as Nagoya and Tokyo, converge on Michi-no-Eki Namie. The crowds are a testament to the town's rebirth, signalling a beacon of communal and gastronomic revival.

This roadside station buzzes with activity, particularly around its food terrace—a hub of culinary delight. Here, long queues of eager patrons await their turn to savour Namie Yakisoba—noodles three times thicker than usual, acclaimed as one of the best local delicacies in Japan at a national festival.

Alongside Namie Yakisoba, other specialties such as mouthwatering parfaits filled with local Namie strawberries and steaming rice bowls topped with boiled whitebait attract over 600,000 visitors to this Michi-no-Eki roadside station each year.

The tale of Namie is one of profound transformation. Struck by the catastrophic Great East Japan Earthquake and the ensuing nuclear disaster thirteen years ago, Namie was once a ghost town, devoid of life and hope. Today, it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and determination of its people.

Visitors from regions like Miyagi, equally scarred by disaster, find inspiration in Namie’s bustling markets and beautifully restored sites. “It’s my first time here,” shares a visitor, moved by the town’s revival, “The town is regaining its energy; it’s becoming lively again. I can truly feel it.”

The episode’s narrator, Hidekazu Mashima, captures the essence of Namie’s transformation eloquently. He speaks of a town that, despite bearing the scars of tragedy, refuses to see them as symbols of defeat. Instead, these scars are markers of hope and renewal.

“I won’t give up on my hometown!” is a refrain echoed at the bustling market, the serene newly rebuilt Kusano Shrine, and during the vibrant Anba Festival. This 300-year-old tradition has become a reunion spot for those who have moved away, reinforcing the strong bonds among Namie’s residents. Of the 20,000 residents before the Fukushima nuclear accident, only 2,000 have returned.

The annual Anba Festival not only celebrates harvest and community but also marks the reunification of families and friends. Amidst dances and laughter, residents and visitors alike witness the tangible signs of Namie’s resurgence, underscored by the communal sharing of foods like the giant Namie Yakisoba and delicacies made from local strawberries.

Namie’s recovery narrative is further woven through initiatives like the eco-friendly reconstruction of the town using local wood, which not only supports the town’s economy but also promotes sustainability. Even the site of the disaster, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and the coast, has found value, offering tours to the public even as the power plant is gradually decommissioned.

Today, Namie is not just returning to what it was but is transforming into something greater. It is a place where tragedy has given rise to innovative community-led recovery efforts, where every meal served and every building erected tells a story of resilience and hope.

The new Namie, with its rich tapestry of community, culture, and innovative sustainability, stands as a beacon to the world—a testament that even in the wake of profound loss, there is immense potential for rebirth and rejuvenation.