Earthquake Remains Namie Municipal Ukedo Elementary School

The Earthquake Remains Namie Municipal Ukedo Elementary School stands as Fukushima Prefecture's only preserved school disaster site from the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Located just 300 meters from the sea in Namie Town's coastal area, this elementary school was conducting regular classes when the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck at 2:46 PM. The facility earned recognition as a "miracle school" because all 76 students and staff members successfully evacuated to safety before the devastating tsunami waves reached the building approximately 40 minutes later.

Teachers and principals immediately responded to the tsunami warning by evacuating everyone to Mount Ohirayama, located 1.5 kilometers from the school. The quick decision-making and coordinated evacuation saved every life present that day, making this site both a memorial to the disaster's destructive power and a testament to human resilience and preparedness. The school building sustained severe damage from the tsunami waves but remained structurally intact, preserving crucial evidence of the disaster's impact.

Visitors can explore the damaged classrooms where dark walls, hanging cables, and scattered rubble tell the story of that catastrophic day. The school grounds, left largely untouched, are now a museum commemorating the remarkable story of how the Ukedo students and teachers safely evacuated on that fateful day in March 2011. Visitors can wander the wreckage of former classrooms and witness the water damage on the walls and floors. Panel displays throughout the facility document the evacuation process and feature children's artwork and picture books that provide personal perspectives on the experience.

The preserved ruins offer visitors a powerful firsthand encounter with the physical impact of natural disasters while highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness and community response. The site serves multiple educational purposes, allowing guests to understand the scale of tsunami damage, learn about evacuation procedures, and reflect on disaster risk reduction strategies. The facility includes interpretive materials that explain the timeline of events and the decision-making process that led to the successful evacuation.

Admission fees apply for adults, with discount tickets available through the nearby Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum. Transportation options include rental bicycles from Futaba Station (subject to availability), the town circulation bus system, and car-sharing services operated through e-Share Mobi. Visitors can access the site via Namie Station, which serves as a transportation hub for the area's memorial facilities and disaster education sites.