This post is part of our special coverage Japan Earthquake 2011.
On Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2:46:23 p.m. local time, an 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan, the largest in recorded history.
It's been more than 5 hours since the earthquake hit, and many Tokyoites are still trying to get home on foot. The train system shut down for the day.
still walking like everyone else in Tokyo. trains stopped. taxis full. long lines at bus stops. need to get north but stuck in Tokyo. #quake12
Lines for the bus, by @durf
Twitter user @oohamazaki is compiling a Google Map of possible evacuation locations in the Tokyo area.
より大きな地図で 東京都内避難場所 を表示
The sun has gone down and hotels, schools, restaurants, and more are opening up their doors.
【拡散希望】 新宿南口の文化服装学院が、非常食と宿泊受け入れ準備中です！ #jishin #jisin #shinjyuku
【拡散希望】立教大学は一晩中教室を開放することを決定しました！宿泊可能です！ 大学関係者以外の方ももちろん利用可能なので、お困りの方は立教大学までいらして下さい！僕宛にリプライいただければ、なにかお困りの際はお手伝いします！ #rikkyo_raise
Photo by Global Voices Japanese Language co-editor Scilla Alleci:
This post is part of our special coverage Japan Earthquake 2011.
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8 comments
Was there much Destruction?
Andrew, no, Tokyo had almost no damage at all. The trains stopped as precautions in case there would have been more earthquakes. Later in the evening on March 11, trains were running and some people could go home. Others chose to stay put.
4 prefectures along the coast north of Chiba had the most destruction, especially Miyagi and Iwate pref. Chiba had a fire at an oil company, but no tsunami damage.
There is still concern that it may get difficult to evacuate people from Tokyo, so you have a point. But this time, Tokyo got lucky.
私たちの家系あなたの家族、伝統、文化のために祈ります。強力なライブ！