A year ago this week Japan was hit by the Tohoku earthquake. It measured at a 9.0 magnitude, the most powerful known earthquake to have ever hit the island nation. The quake triggered a 133 foot tsunami, moved Honshu 8 feet east and shifted the Earth on its axis by estimates of somewhere between 4 and 10 inches. 

Over the past year, many of our amazing Japanese Instagram users have captured scenes from all parts of the country — the bustling untouched cities and the rural northern towns close to the epicenter. We wanted to honor the anniversary of Tohoku by highlighting images that offer us a window into what the country looks like now, one year after the earthquake. 

by kotori88

by dop_dot

by luuucho21

by tayori88

by mgowild

by chiestylee

by natsukismix

by hiparika

by na0_7o

by comycomo

by 4ksh