Exploring Fukushima’s “Hope Tourism”: Dark tourism for learning about post-disaster recovery

The tourism approach known as “dark tourism,” which confronts the sad and heavy history of mankind, such as war, disasters and social discrimination, is receiving attention worldwide.

In Fukushima Prefecture, which experienced an unprecedented triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear catastrophe during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, efforts are being made to promote tourism under the name of “Hope Tourism” instead of dark tourism, with a focus on conveying the lessons learned from the disaster and the progress towards recovery.

Let’s take a look at the overview of Hope Tourism, which honestly portrays the light and shadow of Fukushima.

What is Hope Tourism?

Hope Tourism is a program that offers a unique learning journey in Fukushima, allowing participants to experience the raw reality of Fukushima, which has gone through the complex disaster of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear catastrophe. It involves engaging in fieldwork to witness the true state of Fukushima and engaging in dialogues with individuals who are challenging themselves in various fields of recovery. What sets it apart is the emphasis on exploring and creating ways to apply the themes of the disaster and nuclear accident to personal growth and transformation, rather than treating them as unique to Fukushima.

Since the fiscal year 2016, Fukushima Prefecture and the Fukushima Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Exchange Association, a public interest foundation, have been promoting it and have welcomed educational trips for domestic and international schools, as well as visits from corporate groups.

The number of participants in Hope Tourism has been increasing year by year. In the fiscal year 2022, the number of visitors to Fukushima Prefecture through Hope Tourism reached 17,806 people, nearly 1.8 times the previous year. In May 2023, a support center responsible for on-site assistance was newly established in Tomioka Town, raising expectations for further growth in tourist numbers.(*1)

Dark tourism in the world

Dark tourism is a comprehensive concept of travel that emerged in the 1990s in the UK, focusing on the theme of tragic events scattered throughout the world, such as wars, disasters, persecution and social discrimination that accompanied modern development.

Places associated with social issues like environmental destruction and labor problems, as well as locations affected by crimes, diseases, and natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, are considered as targets of dark tourism, reflecting the negative memories of humanity in modern society. The content of dark tourism encompasses a wide range of topics.

After the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the awareness of dark tourism expanded in Japan when the philosopher Hiroki Azuma proposed the “Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Touristification Plan.” In 2013, dark tourism was even nominated for the New Word/Popular Buzzword Award.

As globally renowned dark tourism spots, “Auschwitz concentration camp” in Poland, “Ground Zero” symbolizing the 2001 US terrorist attacks, and the “Hiroshima Peace Memorial Dome” in Japan are well-known.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, located within the same grounds as the Peace Memorial Dome, welcomed over 1.12 million visitors in 2022. The potential of dark tourism, which approaches the value unique to that region from its shadowed aspects, is being recognized worldwide as a new method of travel.

Experience Fukushima’s road to recovery

In Hope Tourism, three key points are emphasized: “seeing” the present situation in Fukushima, “listening” to the feelings of Fukushima, and “thinking” about Fukushima’s issues as personal matters rather than someone else’s. Along with facility tours and visits, various contents are provided, including dialogues and interactions with local residents, workshops and more.

Through fieldwork and facility tours, participants can experience the authentic scenery of both the light and shadow in Fukushima, including areas where evacuation orders persist and regions that are moving towards recovery.

Seetoh Elementary School is the only remaining structure in Fukushima Prefecture that serves as a testament to the disaster. Located in the Ukedo district near Namiemachi and JR Namiemachi Station, it was struck by a tsunami exceeding 15 meters in height, resulting in partial destruction. Seetoh Elementary School is a miraculous school where all students were able to evacuate safely, and the second floor of the school building, which retains its appearance from the time of the disaster, serves as an exhibition space.

The “The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum” in Futaba Town is a central location for Hope Tourism, where visitors can learn about the overall progression and recovery process through various materials and videos. As the name suggests, the museum holds four lecture sessions per day featuring storytellers who experienced the disaster in various areas of the Hamadori region, allowing them to share their firsthand accounts.

J-Village, one of the accommodation bases for Hope Tourism, is a facility that was established in 1997 as Japan’s first national soccer training center. After the nuclear accident, it served as a base for workers, but it has now completed that role and reopened for business. There are restaurants and an artificial turf field available exclusively to guests, making it a recommended option for outings with friends and family. They also provide problem-solving workshops on disaster prevention and risk management tailored for companies.

Unique guided tours available in English

If you want to efficiently explore the tourist destinations of Hope Tourism on your own, it would be a good idea to rely on “Real Fukushima,” which offers guided tours organized and operated by local residents. These tours are conducted in English and cater to inbound foreign tourists visiting Japan. They even hold a monthly study tour of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. While the decommissioning work continues at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which is estimated to take around 30 years to complete, this provides a unique opportunity to witness firsthand what is happening at the power plant and have valuable experience.

Roles and social impact of Hope Tourism

Hope Tourism is a new proposal for travel that carries the legacy of tragic memories and holds the potential to bring economic benefits to the local communities through tourism. In Japan, a country prone to natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, the role of Hope Tourism is significant not only in terms of enhancing disaster preparedness but also in raising awareness and preparing for the future. It offers an opportunity to foster resilience and a sense of hope, making it a valuable component in addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters.

In the Hamadori region of Fukushima Prefecture, where some evacuation orders in the difficult-to-return zones have been lifted, efforts to promote cycling tourism are expanding as recovery progresses. In September 2023, the cycling road race “Tour de Fukushima 2023” will be held, featuring a course of 211 km, the longest in Japan. The route will traverse diverse areas, from the regions that have made progress in recovery in Hamadori to the mountainous areas.

Visiting the current Hamadori region would not only provide an opportunity to learn about the conditions during the disaster but also serve as a way to support the individuals working towards recovery efforts. It may be worth considering a visit to experience the present state of Hamadori firsthand.

(*1) Fukushima Prefectural Assembly Regular Session

Originally published on Livhub.