Iitate Reconstruction Three Thousand Cherry Trees
The Iitate Reconstruction Three Thousand Cherry Trees began as a private planting project in 1998, when a local couple started growing cherry trees on former farmland. Over time, the number of trees gradually increased, with the help of locals, so that the grounds now feature cherry blossoms as far as the eye can see every April.Following the 2011 disaster, Iitate Village was evacuated, but the couple still returned periodically to look after the trees. From around 2013, the area became a focus for volunteers helping with things like cleaning and pruning, and the project became something of a symbol of Iitate's reconstruction. Nowadays, the site is a great example of how far Fukushima has come in the years since the earthquake.
