Inside the Fukushima exclusion zone, towns once full of people have been abandoned, some still showing signs of the frantic evacuation process that followed the disaster.
Inside the Fukushima exclusion zone, towns once full of people have been abandoned, some still showing signs of the frantic evacuation process that followed the disaster.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Destroyed buildings seen from inside an abandoned class room in Fukushima prefecture.
Destroyed buildings seen from inside an abandoned class room in Fukushima prefecture.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Residents initially thought they would only have to evacuate for a few days at most. Many haven't been able to return for five years.
Residents initially thought they would only have to evacuate for a few days at most. Many haven't been able to return for five years.
Futa Nagao for CNN
A dusty piano sits in an abandoned school near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
A dusty piano sits in an abandoned school near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Futa Nagao for CNN
A blackboard covered in messages supporting victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
A blackboard covered in messages supporting victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Futa Nagao for CNN
A school gymnasium still shows signs of damage from the 2011 earthquake. Former residents and workers can only spend limited amounts of time in the town due to health risks.
A school gymnasium still shows signs of damage from the 2011 earthquake. Former residents and workers can only spend limited amounts of time in the town due to health risks.
Futa Nagao for CNN
A house destroyed by the 2011 earthquake.
A house destroyed by the 2011 earthquake.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Though many homes were left undamaged by the earthquake and tsunami, residents soon had to abandon them as the Fukushima nuclear plant went into meltdown.
Though many homes were left undamaged by the earthquake and tsunami, residents soon had to abandon them as the Fukushima nuclear plant went into meltdown.
Futa Nagao for CNN
A road block marks the entrance to the Fukushima exclusion zone.
A road block marks the entrance to the Fukushima exclusion zone.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Security guards check passes within the Fukushima exclusion zone, former residents may only visit for up to 5 hours at a time.
Security guards check passes within the Fukushima exclusion zone, former residents may only visit for up to 5 hours at a time.
Futa Nagao for CNN
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant seen from Futaba town, now abandoned due to the meltdown.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant seen from Futaba town, now abandoned due to the meltdown.
Futa Nagao for CNN
A greenhouse once used for growing organic spinach now covered in overgrown weeds.
A greenhouse once used for growing organic spinach now covered in overgrown weeds.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Workers and former residents have to wear protective gear while inside the exclusion zone.
Workers and former residents have to wear protective gear while inside the exclusion zone.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Former residents say highly radioactive plants are marked with red ribbons to indicate danger.
Former residents say highly radioactive plants are marked with red ribbons to indicate danger.
Futa Nagao for CNN
An abandoned playground inside the Fukushima exclusion zone.
An abandoned playground inside the Fukushima exclusion zone.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Maintenance workers are only allowed to work for 4 hours a day in the radioactive environment within the exclusion zone.
Maintenance workers are only allowed to work for 4 hours a day in the radioactive environment within the exclusion zone.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Outside the limits of the exclusion zone, many evacuees were housed in prefabricated metal buildings. Each has two 7 meter square rooms, a tiny kitchen and a bathroom.
Outside the limits of the exclusion zone, many evacuees were housed in prefabricated metal buildings. Each has two 7 meter square rooms, a tiny kitchen and a bathroom.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Two thirds of the temporary housing residents left for elsewhere to start a new life, unable to return to their former towns.
Two thirds of the temporary housing residents left for elsewhere to start a new life, unable to return to their former towns.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Many of those still living in the temporary housing units are senior citizens, unable or not willing to move elsewhere.
Many of those still living in the temporary housing units are senior citizens, unable or not willing to move elsewhere.
Futa Nagao for CNN
240 households with over 480 people lived in the temporary housing complex at its peak.
240 households with over 480 people lived in the temporary housing complex at its peak.
Futa Nagao for CNN
Children play in the dusty playground of a temporary housing complex in Japan's Fukushima prefecture.
Children play in the dusty playground of a temporary housing complex in Japan's Fukushima prefecture.
Futa Nagao for CNN