Panduan
The Museum of Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction in Higashimatsushima City was established to pass down the records of the Great East Japan Earthquake to future generations, serving as a place for mourning the victims and documenting the path to reconstruction. The facility opened in October 2016, having been renovated from the former Nobiru Station building (a two-story reinforced concrete structure) on the JR Senseki Line, which was heavily impacted by the tsunami. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the memories of the disaster are not forgotten and to foster disaster prevention awareness.
Inside, visitors can find photographic panels documenting the disaster and the recovery process, as well as video displays using large screens. Following a renewal in October 2020, the museum added exhibits highlighting the city's initiatives as an SDGs Future City and expressing gratitude to the personnel dispatched from across the country who supported the reconstruction process.
The history of this site is deeply intertwined with the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and the devastating tsunami that followed. The former Nobiru Station, which once served the JR Senseki Line, suffered immense damage. The preservation and renovation of this station building into a museum is a defining characteristic of the facility.
A significant cultural element is the "National Support Personnel Nameplate," which lists the names of 346 individuals from across Japan who contributed to the reconstruction of Higashimatsushima between 2011 and 2020. This serves as a profound record of how vital community connections were during such a difficult time. The site is a place of both mourning for the lost and a testament to the will to rebuild.
The museum offers diverse exhibits to convey the reality of the disaster:
The facility is open year-round. While the indoor areas are well-maintained, the surrounding Higashimatsushima Earthquake Reconstruction Memorial Park includes outdoor areas. It is recommended to visit the outdoor monuments and memorials during daylight hours. As this is a place for quiet reflection, visiting during calm periods is ideal.
The museum focuses on visual storytelling through large-screen videos and detailed photographic panels. In the surrounding memorial park, visitors can experience the physical remnants of the disaster, such as the former Nobiru Station platform and memorial plates.
The museum is located within the Higashimatsushima Earthquake Reconstruction Memorial Park, a vast area dedicated to passing on lessons from the disaster. Nearby spots include: