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My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

We all know the story about the Fukushima nuclear accident. The earthquake on 11th March 2011 caused a massive tsunami (with 10 meters high waves) that crippled the cooling systems at the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s nuclear plant in Fukushima. It also led to hydrogen explosions and reactor meltdowns that forced evacuations of those living within a 20km radius of the plant due to high radiation levels.

More info: deadinside.eu | Instagram | Facebook

Empty streets

The cities that suffered the most in were those in the immediate danger zone – Natori, Ishinomaki, Kamaishi, Unfunato, Miyako, Minamisanriku, Kesennuma, and Rikuzentakata. These places were almost level with the ground. Hachinohe and Sendai suffered less but still, the tsunami has caused some serious damage to them. Over 15.5 thousand people were killed. Over 5,000 is still considered missing. Half a million have lost their homes, and 400,000 evacuated.

Half breaking roof at the house

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

I’m an urban explorer and photographer, so going to the exclusion zone was one of my biggest dreams, which came true in March 2018. However, my happiness from being there and taking interesting photos soon turned into overwhelming sadness with every step in the empty streets full of urban decay.

Abandoned Mercedes next to the supermarket

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Enter the red zone – the entrance and the area are secured 24 hours

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

At first, we planned to spend 3 days there, but eventually, it was just 2 days. The reason was that we tripped a silent alarm in one place and it was received by a police station. Thankfully, we didn’t have huge problems but we had to finish our visit to Fukushima, for which I was actually relieved.

Elementary school – the sports hall was transformed into an evacuation point

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Music class

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

I love abandoned places but being there was just too traumatic. From the moment you step there, you are surrounded by the depth of the tragedy which happened. It was breaking my soul.

Computers’ class

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

This class was on the 1st floor. The line on the wall is a trace of how high the water was

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Wedding center

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

House

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Laundry

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Supermarket

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Pachinko – Japanese game room

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Car dealer

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Chevrolet Impala

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Lincoln

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Funeral car

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Restaurant

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Bookstore

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

CD & DVD Shop

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

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My name is Natalia Sobanska and I love to visit abandoned places. This profile was created to show that abandoned places aren’t only ugly ruins, but a different kind of beauty. I am already addicted to the decay, so I can’t be subjective, judge for yourself. https://www.instagram.com/deadinside_eu/

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Vėjūnė is a community manager who helps artists all over the world introduce their artwork to Bored Panda readers and in that way, become more popular. Since she was always fascinated by the art world, she studied Culture Management and Cultural Policy at Vilnius Academy of Arts where she expanded her knowledge about it. Now she's using all this knowledge to showcase its beauty and help others dive into the fascinating world of art.

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What do you think ?

POST

JenniG 5 years ago

I'm always interested in abandoned places, and this one is more recent than the ones we usually see (eg Chernobyl). I was saddened by the wedding center pics, all those beautiful dresses that will never be worn. The shops too, strewn with never-to-be-purchased stock, the lingering air of sudden departure and abandonment. Very interesting piece!

10points

Natalia (Post author) 5 years ago

Normally I prefer abandoned places which are decayed and nature take it over, here I wanted go there for history and documenting. Thanks for nice words!

8points

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Liz Karsa 5 years ago

And that reactor is still dumping radioactive toxins into the oceans. Way to take care of that, Japan!

5points

Chelle Jones 5 years ago

I kept trying to picture the people who once filled these streets. The lives they were leading up until that disastrous moment. There are lunch sacks still hanging on chairs at the school. Just heartbreaking.

3points

Aditya Rendy 5 years ago

even abandoned, the road still clean

2points

M O'Connell 5 years ago

I am very surprised at the lack of plant life in the parkways and road cracks. I'm also surprised somebody would put a continental kit on a Town Car... but that's something totally different.

1point

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NWB 5 years ago

When we all saw that water rushing towards, people, and people in cars...we new they had no hope! So crazy the way the life just stops in that moment.

2points

nanashi 5 years ago (edited)

I wonder if no one was allowed to return to take their personal stuff (or merchandises for store owners) before being relocated? I see a lot of pretty important things like certificates, cars, computers. I have never been in a disaster of a significant scale before (thankfully) but I thought if I do, I might want to be able to salvage what I could before leaving for good.

2points

Chelle Jones 5 years ago

Metal and Plastics retain the radiation. All those objects are radioactive & would cause harm to anyone who handled them.

4points

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Katinka Min 5 years ago

Abandoned grand pianos just make me really sad. There was so much life there - and now it's all ripped out. The waste of so many...things, dresses, microwaves, computers and much ore, also make me cringe. I understand this is all radioactive, now, but still...So much waste.

0points

Jordan W. 5 years ago

Is looting these places considered stealing?

0points

A B C 5 years ago

Why would you even consider such a horrific thing? -.-

5points

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Chelle Jones 5 years ago

Stealing with a death sentence since they are all emitting radiation.

4points

Anne 5 years ago

I doubt there will be looters - it's all radioactive now there. You don't want that.

3points

Jordan W. 5 years ago

Thanks! I thought people would do that.

0points

M O'Connell 5 years ago

Looting had created significant problems for the area around Chernobyl, particularly scavenging abandoned vehicles for expensive spare parts. The Russian government went to great lengths to bury as many of them as possible to prevent this. Looting and selling goods from such places not only endangers your health, but the health of anyone you sold the items to. I doubt you would mention they were from the exclusion zone.

0points

Jack Chandra 5 years ago

Disaster tourism for Instagram - boo!!!! Go away.

-1point

POST

JenniG 5 years ago

10points

Natalia (Post author) 5 years ago

Normally I prefer abandoned places which are decayed and nature take it over, here I wanted go there for history and documenting. Thanks for nice words!

8points

Load More Replies...

Liz Karsa 5 years ago

And that reactor is still dumping radioactive toxins into the oceans. Way to take care of that, Japan!

5points

Chelle Jones 5 years ago

3points

Aditya Rendy 5 years ago

even abandoned, the road still clean

2points

M O'Connell 5 years ago

I am very surprised at the lack of plant life in the parkways and road cracks. I'm also surprised somebody would put a continental kit on a Town Car... but that's something totally different.

1point

Load More Replies...

NWB 5 years ago

When we all saw that water rushing towards, people, and people in cars...we new they had no hope! So crazy the way the life just stops in that moment.

2points

nanashi 5 years ago (edited)

2points

Chelle Jones 5 years ago

Metal and Plastics retain the radiation. All those objects are radioactive & would cause harm to anyone who handled them.

4points

Load More Replies...

Katinka Min 5 years ago

0points

Jordan W. 5 years ago

Is looting these places considered stealing?

0points

A B C 5 years ago

Why would you even consider such a horrific thing? -.-

5points

Load More Replies...

Chelle Jones 5 years ago

Stealing with a death sentence since they are all emitting radiation.

4points

Anne 5 years ago

I doubt there will be looters - it's all radioactive now there. You don't want that.

3points

Jordan W. 5 years ago

Thanks! I thought people would do that.

0points

M O'Connell 5 years ago

0points

Jack Chandra 5 years ago

Disaster tourism for Instagram - boo!!!! Go away.

-1point

My 39 Pics Of The Ruins Of Fukushima 8 Years After The Nuclear Disaster

Empty streets

Half breaking roof at the house

Abandoned Mercedes next to the supermarket

Enter the red zone – the entrance and the area are secured 24 hours

Elementary school – the sports hall was transformed into an evacuation point

Music class

Computers’ class

This class was on the 1st floor. The line on the wall is a trace of how high the water was

Wedding center

House

Laundry

Supermarket

Pachinko – Japanese game room

Car dealer

Chevrolet Impala

Lincoln

Funeral car

Restaurant

Bookstore

CD & DVD Shop

Games

Natalia

Natalia

Vėjūnė Rimašiūtė

Vėjūnė Rimašiūtė

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