The Earthquake Memorial Park and Kyu Yasuda Garden

Just before noon on September 1st, 1923, Tokyo was struck by the most devastating earthquake in its history. 70% of the city’s housing was destroyed and over 140,000 people lost their lives during the quake, as well as in the subsequent fires which raged uncontrollably through the streets.

In Yokoami, we visited a memorial park dedicated to the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923. The location of the park is not an accident: this is the former grounds of an army clothing depot where 38,000 people w...