Three Years Since Great East Japan Earthquake

Above, people gathered in the Sendai Station square following the earthquake and tsunami. Photo by AP Photo/Kyodo News.

Today is the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. It hardly seems like three years, considering that problems with the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant are still continuing.

I remember that night when I heard the news while at work in Burbank. I wrote about that two years ago here.

Much of the Tohoku region is still not back to anything resembling "normal." The tourism industry there is still not back to pre-earthquake levels. Hotels and attractions in Matsushima and surrounding areas are ready and eager for visitors. I would heartily recommend a trip to Matsushima, particularly Matsushima Bay. The bay was spared catastrophic damage from the tsunami from the 200 islets that dot the bay. They blunted the full force of the tsunami. As I have mentioned many times, the area around Matsushima Bay is often compared to Carmel, California in scenic beauty.

In Sendai, Sendai Station (featured in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)) was a gathering point for displaced citizens.

The Denver Post's Plog has several photos from three years ago. To see them, go here.