Hopius, the Media Delivering Hope, Hosts 'Hope Study Tour in Fukushima' — A 2-Day Experience of Fukushima's 'Present', 15 Years After the Great East Japan Earthquake

General Incorporated Association Hopius (Representative: Fumi Yanagisawa) has held the 'Hope Study Tour in Fukushima' in Fukushima Prefecture.
In this tour, participants visited the region marking 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, exploring the earthquake ruins of 'Ukedo Elementary School' and the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum. The tour also emphasized hands-on experiences in Namie Town, such as trying Somayaki pottery painting.
On the second day, guided by Masahito Handa, representative of NPO Team Fukushima, participants observed the 'Otagaisama Ticket' (Mutual Aid Ticket) system at a store participating in the 'Otagaisama Town Fukushima' initiative. Finally, a photo reflection workshop was held to look back on the two days, aiming to provide an opportunity for participants to re-examine their own values and how they interact with society.

■ The contents of this tour have been published via Hopius articles and radio. The on-site experiences and participants' insights are summarized in detail. Please take a look.
- Click here for the article
- Click here for the radio

Background of the Event

We at Hopius are a media outlet that aims to focus on positive changes in people and society, encouraging shifts in readers' perspectives and actions within an information environment where anxiety and conflict often grab attention. (https://hopius.jp/)
Meanwhile, as division and conflict continue globally, Japan is also experiencing changes affecting daily life, such as rising prices and unstable work environments. In these circumstances, we live in an era where the questions of 'how to live' and 'how to interact with society' are being asked anew.
Looking at our own daily lives, amidst the busyness and anxiety about the future, the reality is that feelings of love, kindness, and tolerance, which we inherently want to cherish, are gradually being left behind.
Given this historical backdrop, this tour visited Fukushima, 15 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Fukushima is a place that has woven human connections and daily life despite experiencing the dual hardships of a 'natural disaster' and a 'man-made disaster'.
By standing on that very ground and touching actual voices and scenery, we conducted this study tour with the aim of providing an opportunity to face our own emotions and re-ask the question, 'How do I want to exist in this society?'

Earthquake ruins 'Ukedo Elementary School' entrance
A guide explaining evacuation routes
Participants listening earnestly to the explanation
Touring the school building where tsunami traces remain

■ Tour Overview
Dates: March 28-29, 2026
Locations: Namie Town and Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
Number of Participants: 11 people (from teens to 70s)

■ Main Programs
- Tour of the earthquake ruins 'Ukedo Elementary School' and explanation by a guide — Experiencing the relationship between decision-making during a disaster and daily life (trust, autonomy, solidarity)
- Obori Somayaki pottery painting experience — Experiencing the culture and livelihood passed down through the disaster
- Tour of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum — Rethinking the disaster from both 'natural' and 'man-made' perspectives
- Observation of civic activities (Day 2) (Purchasing/using tickets at Otagaisama Ticket participating stores, unmanned welfare-type children's cafeteria 'Community Fridge Himawari', bento delivery service by the elderly 'Ndayone', etc.) — Learning new forms of circulation born from 'mutual aid' relationships
- Photo reflection workshop (dialogue/introspection) — Verbalizing experiences and re-asking 'How do I want to exist'

Obori Somayaki pottery painting experience
Purchasing tickets at an Otagaisama Ticket participating store

■ Features of this Tour
This tour is not merely an inspection but emphasizes the process of 'verbalizing what you felt and sharing it with others'. Participants engaged in a workshop to reflect on their own values using photos and words, designed to gain new insights through the perspectives of others. Through this, we aimed to provide an experience that shifts from 'passive learning to proactive introspection' and 'turns personal insights into questions for society'.

Lecture by Mr. Handa, representative of NPO 'Team Himawari'
Photo reflection workshop

■ Participants' Voices
'With unpleasant news continuing every day, I was just worrying about the future of this country. I received hope knowing that there are people doing many initiatives for this country, and in Fukushima. I realized anew the importance of doing something for others with hope while acknowledging the negative aspects. Thank you very much.' (Male in his 70s, residing in Fukushima City)

'In the talk about the cycle of passing on and returning kindness on the second day, I was impressed that it was built on mutual win-win relationships. While doing things for someone else is certainly a part of it, I thought it was a wonderful initiative that allows people to act for their own sake above all.' (Teenage female, residing in Kanagawa Prefecture, participated with a parent)

'Thank you for such a fun, enriching, and irreplaceable time! Not only did I have many learnings and insights myself, but above all, I am very grateful that my daughter was able to experience various social issues and hopes. It has become a lifelong memory for me.' (Participant in their 30s)