Futaba district

Futaba district lies along the Pacific coast in Fukushima Prefecture and includes eight municipalities such as Hirono, Naraha, Tomioka, and Kawauchi. The area features both coastal landscapes and a mix of developed and rural communities.

The district was established on April 1, 1896, as an administrative region. The 2011 nuclear incident at Fukushima Daiichi fundamentally altered the area's development and population dynamics.

The January Daruma Market brings communities together for competitive events where teams pull large decorated dolls through streets. These gatherings reflect how residents celebrate and maintain traditional practices.

Much of the district has become accessible again following extensive decontamination work, though some areas remain restricted. Visitors should check current accessibility conditions before traveling, as regulations vary by location.

Most communities experienced dramatic population loss following the 2011 incident, with some towns retaining just a fraction of their former residents. Yet signs of renewal exist, as certain areas have begun gradually attracting people back.