Miyagi Prefecture Recovery

Above, the statue of Date Masamune at the site of Sendai Castle.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Los Angeles-area Japanese newspaper, The Rafu Shimpo,  has posted an article on a meeting held last month in Little Tokyo on the state of the recovery and reconstruction of Miyagi Prefecture in the aftermath of the March 11,  2011 earthquake and tsunami.

According to the article:

Approximately 100 people participated in the Miyagi earthquake recovery and tourism seminar hosted by the Miyagi prefectural government and sponsored by the Nanka Miyagi Kenjinkai on April 22 at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. Five officials from Miyagi Prefecture gave the presentation.

Above, Matsushima Bay's waterfront with the Godaido Temple in the background.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Miyagi Prefecture includes Sendai and Matsushima, both places I visited in April 2006.  The bay is dotted with tiny islands, which served to buffer Matsushima Bay from the full force of the tsunami.

Matsushima, said to be one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, suffered minimal damage as its 260 small and large islands in the bay helped decrease the power of the tsunami and preserve the beautiful scenery of this area. Even coastal regions that suffered the greatest damage have started recovering and welcoming visitors.

Above, one of the 260 tiny islands that dot Matsushima Bay that blunted the force of the tsunami.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 The Miyagi Prefectural recovery plan is moving forward in three stages:

The earthquake disaster recovery plan that Miyagi Prefecture developed last October proposes three stages to be implemented over the next 10 years: restoration (2011-2013), reconstruction (2014-2017), and development (2018-2020).

A visit to Miyagi Prefecture is one I can heartily recommend.  Besides the scenic beauty of Matsushima Bay (often compared to Carmel, California), you'd also be helping the local tourism industry with your tourist dollars.

Above, some of the Matsushima seagulls being fed by passeners aboard a Matsushima Bay tour boat.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full article, go here.