My 18 Photos Show The Eerie Aftermath Of The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

It was March 11th, 2011 in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan. The day an earthquake rocked, a tsunami engulfed, and a nuclear power plant went into meltdown.

I am an explorer of the abandoned world. I search for remnants of what we leave behind when we relegate things to decay. I have explored many locations with sad tales and dark histories. I experience a wide range of emotions when I explore forgotten places, as I attempt to document the forgotten world. I immerse myself in the story of each location, in an attempt to present photos with context. Sometimes this is a happy partnership, other times it may uncover a painful past.

Nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming emotions I felt when I visited the disaster-stricken Fukushima region of Japan in 2019. Even a decade after the incident, the area bears the scars of that day.

I would like to share one story with you, that affected me the most. Of the several places I explored in Fukushima, there is one that sticks in my mind.

More info: obsidianurbexphotography.com

This post may include affiliate links.

The Chevrolet Impala Ss Looks Like It Would Still Run If The Owner Ever Returns

Final score:

61points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

As I stood in an abandoned school gym, I could see the Pacific Ocean only a few hundred meters away. Beautiful and calm when I visited. On March 11th, 2011 the staff made a brave decision. As the tsunami warning sirens sounded, protocol dictated they remain inside. The tsunami wall should protect them, or so it was thought. For some reason, perhaps some intuition, the staff decided instead to evacuate. Their decision undoubtedly saved the lives of the 82 students and all 15 staff members. On this day, the tsunami breached the seawall and struck the school.

I could not help but think that many other schools did not escape the unstoppable tsunami, that many more stories had a much more tragic end.

Everywhere You Can See Nature Swallowing Houses And Vehicles, The Things Left Behind When The People Fled

Final score:

60points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

The School Stands Only A Few Hundred Meters From The Sea Front. The Floor Of The Sports Hall Has Collapsed In The Decade Since It Was Abandoned

Final score:

59points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

Although Most Of The Supermarket Is Dark, A Long Skylight Illuminates The Front Of The Store

Final score:

56points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

This Arcade Is Now Dark And Empty, With Coin Trays And Paper Littering The Floor

Final score:

54points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

A Japanese Funeral Car, Called A Reikyūsha, Lays Forgotten On An Old Dealership Forecourt

Final score:

54points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

A Cheeky Nissan Pao Peeks Out From Behind A Small Bush

Final score:

52points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

The Air Inside This Abandoned Supermarket Was Musty And Stale

Final score:

49points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

Products And Litter Cover The Floor, The Piles Reach Knee-Height In Some Areas

Final score:

47points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#10

The Arcade Machines Here Featured Anime Designs, Some From My Childhood Favorites

Final score:

47points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#11

Abandoned Shops Are Everywhere, And It Is Forbidden To Approach Them

Final score:

41points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#12

Everything On The Shelves Is Covered With Layers Of Dust And Grime

Final score:

40points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

Another Abandoned Pachinko Hall That I Explored In Fukushima

Final score:

39points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#14

Sweets And Snacks Still Line The Shelves And Racks, Long Passed Their Sell-By Dates

Final score:

37points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#15

This Abandoned School Was Evacuated Shortly Before The Tsunami Hit, Everyone Escapes Unharmed

Final score:

37points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#16

This Abandoned Pachinko Hall Would Once Have Been A Hive Of Activity. Pachinko Is A Popular Japanese Arcade Game

Final score:

31points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#17

Tarmac Is Cracked And Weeds Grow Everywhere At This Abandoned Car Dealership

Final score:

31points

Janine Pendleton

POST

View more comments

#18

As Re-Inhabitation Of Fukushima Begins, Perhaps These Gaming Halls Will Come Back To Life Once More

Final score:

26points

Janine Pendleton

POST

Andrew 3 years ago

Chernobyl was a freaking wasteland because the Soviets tried to hide the disaster instead of asking the international community for help, like the Japanese did at Fukushima.

6points

Samtheperson 3 years ago

Guys, why did you downvote MaryRoseKent? It’s her opinion. She just saying that she wouldn’t want to live there, what’s wrong with that?

6points

Andrew 3 years ago

It's because she is comparing Chernobyl and Fukushima like they were the same. Chernobyl is doing much worse than Fukushima, but at least some workers at Chernobyl managed to minimize the damage done. They sacrificed their lives to save most of the European continent from becoming a nuclear wasteland. Fukushima on the other hand, was much better. Speaking statistically, there were way less deaths from Fukushima compared to Chernobyl. I know that each death can cause a family to become REALLY sad, but imagine how worse it would be if they didn't contain it in time. Many more families mourning the loss of their loved ones.

6points

Load More Replies...

Daria Z 3 years ago

I agree with Mary Rose Kent - nobody would choose to live in a contaminated zone. I see nothing wrong in her comment, she's merely referring to Chernobyl as a well-known example...

5points

Andrew 3 years ago

Chernobyl is a well known example, but it was much worse than Fukushima. It will be some time until people start moving back into Chernobyl, since there is a much higher radiation level there. But, Fukushima is a different story.

0points

Mary Rose Kent 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

View more comments

What do you think ?

Logic and Reason 3 years ago

Hey, MaryRoseKent? We know it’s radioactive. You don’t need to comment on every picture saying “[insert titular adjectives here] and radioactive”.

19points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

In fairness, there's probably someone who *would* think "Hey, let's go get that wine !" I mean, people go to Chernobyl as *tourists*.

1point

Katie Lutesinger 3 years ago

Talk about the perfect spot for shooting a post apocalyptic/zombie movie.

4points

Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago

Or a new season of "Life After People"

3points

Sasha Kuleshov 3 years ago

So when can we come back? :O

Julie C Rose 3 years ago

Reminder that the earthquake and tsunami affected other prefectures badly too. Iwate and Miyagi were also severely affected.

Sofiia Melnikova 3 years ago

I know this is dangerous, but I REALLY want to explore there

2points

Doubleheader 3 years ago

There are some sections that have safe levels of radiation (hence why some people have been urban exploring the area). I still wouldn't do it though, that kinda stuff freaks me out haha...

Treessimontrees 3 years ago

Japan outlaws gambling but allows pachinko - which is mindless gambling dressed up as a game. They're everywhere in Japan.

d bradley 3 years ago

too close too many times. any more outdoor panoramas?

My 18 Photos Show The Eerie Aftermath Of The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

The Chevrolet Impala Ss Looks Like It Would Still Run If The Owner Ever Returns

Everywhere You Can See Nature Swallowing Houses And Vehicles, The Things Left Behind When The People Fled

The School Stands Only A Few Hundred Meters From The Sea Front. The Floor Of The Sports Hall Has Collapsed In The Decade Since It Was Abandoned

Although Most Of The Supermarket Is Dark, A Long Skylight Illuminates The Front Of The Store

This Arcade Is Now Dark And Empty, With Coin Trays And Paper Littering The Floor

A Japanese Funeral Car, Called A Reikyūsha, Lays Forgotten On An Old Dealership Forecourt

A Cheeky Nissan Pao Peeks Out From Behind A Small Bush

The Air Inside This Abandoned Supermarket Was Musty And Stale

Products And Litter Cover The Floor, The Piles Reach Knee-Height In Some Areas

The Arcade Machines Here Featured Anime Designs, Some From My Childhood Favorites

Abandoned Shops Are Everywhere, And It Is Forbidden To Approach Them

Everything On The Shelves Is Covered With Layers Of Dust And Grime

Another Abandoned Pachinko Hall That I Explored In Fukushima

Sweets And Snacks Still Line The Shelves And Racks, Long Passed Their Sell-By Dates

This Abandoned School Was Evacuated Shortly Before The Tsunami Hit, Everyone Escapes Unharmed

This Abandoned Pachinko Hall Would Once Have Been A Hive Of Activity. Pachinko Is A Popular Japanese Arcade Game

Tarmac Is Cracked And Weeds Grow Everywhere At This Abandoned Car Dealership

As Re-Inhabitation Of Fukushima Begins, Perhaps These Gaming Halls Will Come Back To Life Once More

Games

Janine Pendleton

Janine Pendleton

Aelita Senvaitytė

Aelita Senvaitytė