Namie, Coastal town in Futaba district, Japan
Namie is a coastal municipality in Futaba district of Fukushima Prefecture that stretches over 223 square kilometers along the Pacific shore. The area combines flat settlement zones near the water with agricultural land and forested hills inland.
The area contained burial mounds from the Kofun period and served as the center of ancient Futaba district within Iwaki Province during the Nara period. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, the entire population was evacuated and the municipal territory was divided into different radiation protection zones.
Potters from the area developed a craft tradition over generations that visitors can trace today at the roadside station through exhibitions and workshops. The works show local forms and glazes connected to the natural materials of the region.
The hydrogen energy research facility in the municipality has operated since March 2020, marking a shift toward renewable energy in the region. Visitors should check current access conditions and possible restrictions in certain areas before traveling.
The town was completely evacuated after the 2011 nuclear accident and divided into three different access zones based on radiation levels. Some areas remained uninhabited for years while others were gradually reopened for return.
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