☢️ Photographs from the Fukushima Exclusion Zone, Japan

The Fukushima disaster was a serious nuclear incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant located in Ōkuma, Japan. The event occurred in March 2011.

There was a level 7 nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima power plant. Hydrogen explosions released radioactive material, contaminating the surrounding area. Residents within a 20km radius of the nuclear plant were evacuated.

It was the worst ever nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster half a century ago. At the time of writing this, the official death toll stands at 2,304. The environmental damage certainly has far reaching, and long-lasting impacts.

I visited the Fukushima Exclusion Zone in 2019, as part of a two week trip of the abandoned ruins of Japan. This gallery shows what I saw as I explored the zone.

• Retrospectives

10 Years On: Looking back on the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Today marks 10 years since the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. This article explores the events of that tragic day, and features my 2019 photos.

• March 11, 2021

• Dark Tourism, Education, Japan 🇯🇵

Fukushima School Ruins, Japan

These Fukushima School Ruins overlook the Pacific Ocean. The wooden gym floor is collapsed due to damage from the 2011 Great Tsunami.

• January 9, 2021

• Dark Tourism, Japan 🇯🇵, Leisure, Other

Fukushima Supermarket, Japan

This abandoned Fukushima Supermarket stands frozen in time. It was abandoned during the aftermath of the tsunami that struck on 11th March 2011.

• February 23, 2020

• Dark Tourism, Japan 🇯🇵, Leisure, Other

Fukushima Abandoned Cars, Japan

These abandoned cars have stood on the forecourt of a car dealer since 2011. There are American cars, as well as a traditional Japanese funeral car.

• August 20, 2019

• Dark Tourism, Japan 🇯🇵, Leisure, Other

Fukushima Anime Pachinko, Japan

Fukushima Anime Pachinko is an abandoned gaming venue, and was once a hive of activity. Now the lights are dim and the chairs are unoccupied.

• July 21, 2019