EXHIBITION

  1. English
  2. Exhibition | The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum

 

The museum’s collection comprises approximately 290,000 items related to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear disaster. They include photographs of areas before the disaster and materials describing the lives of evacuees at the time of the disaster and thereafter. Of these, about 200 items are on permanent display in the exhibition room.

In addition to physical items and videos featuring testimony from survivors, which convey the damage that was caused by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident, there are also touch panel displays, models, and more, enabling you to deepen your understanding of this unprecedented multi-disaster.

Click here for current exhibitions and events

目次
  1. FAQ
  2. Exhibits

FAQ

Q

How long does it take to see the museum?

A
  • It should take you about an hour to see everything at the museum. But besides the exhibits, there are explanatory texts to read and videos to watch, as well as video testimonies from survivors, so some visitors spend several hours here.
Q

Can we use cameras freely in the museum?

A
  • Photography is not a problem in this museum, except for videos in the prologue theatre and exhibition areas.
    Please note that livestreaming using Zoom or YouTube and the recording of lengthy videos is prohibited in the exhibition space.

For questions regarding facility tours,click here

Exhibits

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Prologue Theater
Prologue Theater Earthquake Slope Slope

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Prologue Theater

Visitors can watch a 5-minute video on the large screen about the Great East Japan Earthquake and the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The late Toshiyuki Nishida, an actor from Fukushima Prefecture, narrates the story of the plant’s construction, the earthquake, tsunami, nuclear accident, resident evacuation, reconstruction, and decommissioning using actual footage and animation. Screenings typically occur every 15 minutes. A timeline of the disaster and nuclear events is displayed on the wall behind the screen.

Beginning of the Disaster
Life before the accident Records of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Tsunami damage marker Diorama of Fukushima Daiichi shortly after the accident

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The Beginning of the Disaster

Learn chronologically about life before the disaster, the earthquake and tsunami, and the onset of the nuclear accident. The exhibit conveys the culture and lifestyle of Fukushima’s Soso region and its relationship with nuclear power before the disaster. For the period after the disaster, it features physical artifacts demonstrating the tsunami’s power, videos explaining the cause of the nuclear accident, and a model recreating the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant immediately after the accident. Themes: ① Life before the accident ② Records of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami ③ Occurrence of the Nuclear Power Plant Accident ④ Records of the Disaster Response Headquarters

Response Immediately After the Nuclear Accident
The reality of the accident during the first week Calendar Domestic and International Reactions and Support Q2

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Response Immediately After the Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Conveys the chaos immediately following the nuclear accident, the hardships of moving between evacuation sites, and the reactions and support from Japan and abroad. Large-screen videos showing the response during the first week and exhibits depicting the severe evacuation of hospital patients allow visitors to understand the tension of the situation at the time. Themes: ① Start of Evacuation ② Anxiety Spreading through the Prefecture ③ Domestic and International Reactions and Support

Thoughts of the People
School supplies from the tsunami Bear Fusama sliding door Fusama and other items

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Thoughts of the People of Fukushima

Experience the loss of peaceful daily life caused by the nuclear accident through the personal perspectives of the prefecture’s residents. This section combines video testimonies from survivors and firefighters involved in search efforts with physical artifacts showing the scale of the damage and cherished personal items. Themes: ① Anxiety and Fear Felt During the Disaster ② Happy School Life and Sudden Goodbyes ③ Parting from Family and Community/Changes ④ Changes in Livelihood and Hopes for the Future ⑤ Evacuation Orders and Messages

Long-term Effects of the Nuclear Disaster
Map Flexible containers Interim Storage Facility Reopening of Schools

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Long-term Effects of the Nuclear Disaster

Learn about the ongoing impacts of the nuclear accident across various fields. The exhibit features visual materials and expert commentary videos on “decontamination” (the removal of radioactive materials), the “Interim Storage Facility” for decontamination soil, efforts to dispel harmful rumors regarding agricultural products, and population decline due to long-term evacuation. Themes: ① Decontamination ② Dispelling Harmful Rumors ③ Response to Long-term Evacuation ④ Health-related Initiatives ⑤ Temporary Returns, Evacuees, and Temporary Housing

Challenge of Reconstruction
Decommissioning Exhibit Decommissioning Video MISORA Future Town

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Challenges Toward Reconstruction

Introduces Fukushima Prefecture’s efforts to overcome the hardships of this unprecedented complex disaster and strive toward reconstruction. Displays include explanations of the ongoing decommissioning work at TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi, an explanatory video on ALPS treated water, a “Town Planning Simulator” to create an ideal community, and the disaster response robot “MISORA.” Themes: ① Progress of Reconstruction ② Decommissioning Today ③ Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework: Major Projects ④ The Town Before the Disaster ⑤ Challenges by Residents

Outdoor Exhibits, etc.

Outdoor Exhibition
Fire truck and signs Guardrail bent by the tsunami Gallery photo 3rd floor rooftop

Outdoors, a fire truck that was nearly unrecognizable due to tsunami damage is on display. It was discovered near the museum grounds. Its deformation allows visitors to imagine the immense power of the tsunami. Also displayed are guardrails bent by the tsunami and full-scale replicas of the nuclear power promotional slogan panels that were installed in Futaba Town before the accident. Press photos are displayed in the 1st-floor entrance and 2nd-floor gallery, and the tsunami-affected areas can be viewed from the 3rd-floor Ocean Terrace.