Pine trees on the Japanese coast that were destroyed by the Tsunami

Rikuzentakata, Iwate – Young pine trees are growing again along the coast of this city thanks to an effort to restore the famous pine trees that were destroyed by the tsunami that hit the area in March 2011.

Before the tsunami, the 2-kilometer long coastline was populated by more than 70,000 pine trees, making it one of the most popular places for bathers and designated a “Place of Scenic Beauty” by the National Government.

But the 2011 Tsunami destroyed all of Takata Matsubara’s pine trees, leaving behind only one pine tree, which came to be known as “the miracle pine.” About 90% of the beach was lost to the tsunami.

After the disaster, a group of citizens set the goal of restoring and protecting the Takata Matsubara pine trees, receiving seeds that a lady in a neighboring town had collected a year before the tsunami. In conjunction with the Iwate Prefectural Government and the Rikuzentakata Municipal Government, the group has since worked to restore the highly prized pine trees.

His goal of planting some 40,000 pine saplings in the area could be achieved by the end of this month.

“We would like to inherit these pine trees as a treasure that belongs to the community,” said 72-year-old Katsuji Chida, a representative of the group.