Series: Wa-Jo Wa-Raku | "Let's Do Our Best, Tohoku!" Part 3: A Report on the Great East Japan Earthquake from Kanetake Aoki Shoten in Sendai City
"Let's Do Our Best! Tohoku" Part 3
A Report on the Great East Japan Earthquake from Kanetake Aoki Shoten in Sendai
This is Kanetake Aoki Shoten, located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. When the earthquake struck on March 11th, I was at the brewery of Heitaka Shuzo in Ishinomaki City, where they make "Hidakami." We were having lunch with President Hirai, and as we returned to the brewery and were being served tea, the earthquake hit. The shaking, so violent we couldn't stand, lasted for perhaps two or three minutes.
Text by Kanetake Aoki Shoten
The Tsunami Damage in Ishinomaki Is a Sight I Will Never Forget
Tsunami warnings continued to blare. With nothing we could do, we evacuated to a nearby elevated residential area. We couldn't contact our Sendai store, and anxiety spread.
It felt as though water was slowly seeping into the area around the brewery. We remained evacuated for a while, but when I turned on the car's television, I finally understood the situation and was stunned, feeling a terror about whether things would be alright from now on. Are the employees in Sendai safe? Is the store okay? I was so anxious I could barely sleep.
It was the fourth day before I could return to Sendai; for three days, we were taken care of at the brewery. I am deeply indebted to Heitaka Shuzo for looking after us for three days.
On the fourth day, the water had receded considerably, so we made our way to Sendai, taking detours where the roads were passable by car. The tsunami damage I witnessed in Ishinomaki along the way is a sight I will never forget.
At one point, my mobile phone signal returned, and I was able to make contact. Everyone was safe. I was truly relieved from the bottom of my heart.
Regarding the store's damage, about half of our inventory in the sales floor and back office was broken, but the warehouse and refrigerator suffered less damage.
The convenience store next door was also closed, and it was dark all around at night. Wanting to bring even a little light, we began operating with our remaining stock from March 15th, and we continue to do so.
What I realized this time is that we truly live our lives supported by so many people. We were truly helped.
There was a great deal of inaccurate information circulating among the general public about the situation at the breweries. As sake retailers, we have many opportunities to speak directly with brewers, so I felt it was our mission to convey the current situation accurately to our customers.
And above all, for customers to buy sake from the brewery, drink it, and spend even a little time enjoying themselves—These are the simple things I am thinking about now.
Kanetake Aoki Shoten
1-7-16 Kano, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture
Tel. 022-247-4626
Business Hours | 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Open Daily
http://www.h6.dion.ne.jp/~aokisake/