Le blog de fukushima-is-still-news

April 28, 2018

Flower maze opens in tsunami-hit district

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180428_12/

Families and children are getting themselves lost in a giant maze of rapeseed flowers that has opened in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

The maze began operating on Saturday in the Kaibama district of Minamisoma City, ahead of the Golden Week string of holidays.

The area was devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Seventy-seven people died.

Residents and volunteers have built the flower labyrinth every year since the disaster. This year's site covers 2.2 hectares -- nearly 3 times bigger than last year.

The maze has 2 levels of difficulty. Shortly after opening, children were seen running among the rows of yellow flowers, as tall as themselves.

One boy said he got completely lost but enjoyed it. He said the flowers were pretty.

Takayuki Ueno is the project organizer. He lost 4 family members in the tsunami.

Ueno said that after the disaster, residents could only cry with sorrow. He believes the deceased will be looking on happily at the smiles of those enjoying the maze.

The maze remains open until May 6th.