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The 2011 earthquake: Five years on
Five years ago, on March 11th 2011, a massive earthquake measuring 9.0 on the magnitude scale struck 70 kilometres off the coast of Japan's Tohoku region. It was the strongest earthquake ever to hit Japan, and the ensuing tsunami wreaked destruction on the eastern coast, wiping entire towns off the map and claiming the lives of over 15,000 people.
To mark five years since the disaster, we'll be looking back at the events of March 2011, the ensuing recovery efforts, and the ongoing issues that continue to affect the region today. Below you'll find personal accounts from members of staff who experienced the disaster first-hand, stories from those who visited the tsunami coast to help out in the aftermath, our impressions of the Tohoku region today, a thorough look at the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster and what the future holds for the region.
Above all, however, we want to celebrate beautiful Tohoku: a remote and little-known region packed with stunning national parks, some of the country's best festivals, mountaintop temple communities, quaint hot spring villages, beautifully preserved feudal towns, and ancient World Heritage Sites. Tohoku will never forget what happened to it in 2011, but let this be the beginning of a golden age for the north.
If you would like to lend your help to the tens of thousands of people still affected by the earthquake and tsunami, we are currently raising money for Second Harvest Japan, a charity that provides food and support to survivors. Amongst other fundraising activities, 12 of us will be running the Bath Half Marathon! Click here to donate.
The triple disaster: Looking back on the Tohoku earthquake
To mark the fifth anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake, we take stock of what actually happened during Japan's worst disaster since World War II.
Ganbaro Tohoku: Recovering from the earthquake
Once the dust had settled, where did Japan find itself after the 2011 earthquake? In this blog post, we investigate the aftermath, clean-up, and recovery from the Tohoku disaster.
5 years on: My experience of the Tohoku Earthquake
Travel consultant Emma Price relives the terrifying afternoon when Japan's biggest ever earthquake hit the coast of Tohoku, where she was working as an English teacher.
A Northern Soul
One of our longest running tours taking in the beauty of northern Japan and the Tohoku region.
Return to Japan: Six months after the quake
In this blog post, Co-Director Alastair revisits Tohoku six months after the earthquake to survey the damage and meet some of the people who survived.
10 reasons to visit Tohoku
Here, we introduce some of our favourite places in Tohoku - celebrating a beautiful region that deserves far more attention.
A fleeting visit to the north
IJT tour leader Steve Parker heads north to scope out some of the destinations on our new, improved A Northern Soul Group Tour. Read on to find out how he fared.
Journey back to Tohoku
Two years after the earthquake, Boulder travel consultant Amy Tadehara revisits Tohoku - where she was working as an English teacher during the 2011 disaster.
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