Children laugh in giant rape blossom maze in Fukushima Pref.: Built to promote district hit by 2011 earthquake

A giant maze is on display in a field of rapeseed blossoms in the Kaibama district of Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, which was hit by the tsunami during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Takayuki Ueno, a 51-year-old local farmer who lost his two children and parents in the tsunami, formed a volunteer group to promote the area, and in 2013 they started building a maze like this one, which has become a popular spot approximately 10,000 visitors every spring. When this year’s maze opened on Saturday, there was the sound of laughter from children running around. Admission is free and the maze runs until May 5.