HAMA08(Tomioka-machi)：All You Need is Love(HAMA、NAKA、AIZU！）

After leaving Tomioka Station, we visited the Hamakaze Shopping disctrict, which we had both visited several times before. After talking with the locals there for a bit, we mentioned that we'd just came back from Tomioka Station.　

After saying this, we were immediately asked:

'Did you see the cherry blossoms in Yonomori Park?'

I was aware that the cheery blossoms in Yonomori Park were about to reach full bloom, but I had no idea you were able to visit there.

We quickly decided to go back, and taking the road we had come from, made our way to the park.

While entry to the area was restricted due to the accident at the Nuclear Power Plant, last year after the evacuation areas were revised, it became possible to enter Yonomori park again.

After driving for a while, we entered into view of what is known as the 'cherry blossom tunnel'.

While there weren't many people, there was no change in the fact that it is one of the best known spots for cherry blossoms within the prefecture.

Time passed by quickly, as I stood on the spring street, almost overwhelmed by the beauty of the cherry blossoms. 

However no matter how entranced people find themselves by the cherry blossoms, the signs, and the fence below, pull them back to reality in an instant, as if to speak of the severity of the Nuclear Power Plant accident. 

What do people feel when they see such scenery?　

Misery?, Helplessness?, Impermanence?  

Or maybe depending on the person,

Recovery?, Revitalization?, or Hope?

I myself would like to believe in the latter.

On our way back we met members of the Tomioka Sakura Yosakoi Team.

Even though all the townsfolk have been forced to evacuate from their homes, this team now based in Iwaki who performs Yosakoi(Style of dancing) at events all over the country had come back for the first time to perform under the cherry blossom trees in their home town.

'Next year we will perform again here, for everyone, and for Tomioka Town as well!'

The leader of the group told us.

From his words I could feel his love for his home town.

I could feel love for spring, and love for Fukushima, from all of those who were visiting Yonomori Park.

This love builds up, and becomes a great source of strength in the recovery process.

Part of this includes continuing decontamination work in order to reduce the evacuation area.

When this work is completed, everyone will be able to experience the scenery beyond that fence from close up once again.　

All you need is love.