Fukushima Citizen's Day, Celebrating Local Pride

Today, and August 21st annually, is Fukushima Citizens' Day 福島県民の日. An anniversary created in 1997, to honor an important milestone in the region's history. On this day in 1876, three former prefectures, Fukushima, Iwamae and Wakamatsu, were merged to form the Fukushima we know today. The purpose of the day is simple yet meaningful: to deepen residents' connection to their homeland and encourage a shared sense of pride and unity. 

When I think of prefectures where the citizens are unified and have a lot of pride in their hometowns, Fukushima always comes to mind. It was very evident after the triple disaster, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi disaster, in 2011, that pride runs deep in the region. 

Around this date, public facilities such as museums, art galleries, historical archives, and even pools open their doors with free admission or special discounts, inviting people to explore and enjoy local culture.

Photo: Lake Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture