Homecoming Through Art: Exploring the Futaba Art District
Written by Elena Calderón Aláez
Published on June 5th, 2025
The Futaba Art District is an artistic initiative located in Futaba Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The project was launched to revitalize the area through art, following the evacuation caused by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The art collective OVER ALLs spearheaded this endeavor, collaborating with local residents to infuse the town with vibrant murals and installations.
I had the opportunity to visit Futaba Art District in early February, participating in a tour focused on showcasing the area’s revitalization efforts after the 2011 disaster. For many years, people were unable to return to their homes, and it was only in recent years that residents have started to come back. Now, there is a strong push to attract young people and tourism to help the town grow and regain its former vibrancy. Initiatives like the Futaba Art District and the Reborn-Art Festival play a crucial role in bringing people interested in art and culture to the area, offering a new perspective on its renewal.
These artworks highlight various aspects of Futaba’s culture and history, honoring the resilience of its residents. One of the most touching aspects of the district is how it features huge portraits of real people who have returned to live in Futaba, making their presence and stories a visible part of the town’s rebirth.
As of February 2023, the Futaba Art District features ten murals situated between JR Futaba Station and the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum. These artworks highlight various aspects of Futaba’s culture and history, honoring the resilience of its residents. One of the most touching aspects of the district is how it features huge portraits of real people who have returned to live in Futaba, making their presence and stories a visible part of the town’s rebirth.
One of the themes that deeply resonated with me was the story of the Daruma dolls, a powerful symbol of hope and perseverance. Traditionally, one eye is painted when making a wish, and the second eye is filled in once the wish comes true. This imagery ties beautifully with Futaba’s journey—the community is still in the process of filling in that second eye as they work towards full recovery. The quotes found throughout the murals—”All Together,” “Human Power,” and “Don’t Be Afraid to Have Fun”—serve as a testament to the spirit of the people who are rebuilding their home.
The quotes found throughout the murals—”All Together,” “Human Power,” and “Don’t Be Afraid to Have Fun”—serve as a testament to the spirit of the people who are rebuilding their home.
Each mural is accompanied by a QR code, allowing visitors to access detailed information about the artwork and its significance. The district is easily accessible, just a short walk from JR Futaba Station, and for those traveling by car, parking is available at the station.
Among my personal favorite murals are on a factory in the town’s outskirts, which features a huge rope from the Daruma Matsuri, symbolizing unity and strength, and another depicting modern people wearing samurai armor, blending past and present in a striking visual representation of Futaba’s enduring spirit.
One particularly moving mural is FUTABA Art District is the wall titled HOME “LAN.” This mural is located in front of a field where children once played baseball and soccer. Despite Futaba Town’s small population of under 10,000, its high school made it to Koshien three times, an immense source of pride for the town. The mural features a boy hitting a home run, symbolizing the hope that people will one day return home to Futaba. The boy wears a brand-new, loose uniform, emphasizing the message that it’s okay to have fun and enjoy life again. The title incorporates “LAN” (Local Area Network), representing the idea of homecoming and reconnection. The phrase “Don’t be afraid to have fun” is inscribed on the mural, reflecting the evolving sentiment in Futaba thirteen years after the disaster.
The OVER ALLs art collective, founded by CEO Taketo Akazawa and painter Yuki Yamamoto, is known for transforming communities through large-scale murals. Their approach involves deep research into the history and identity of each location, ensuring that their work resonates with both locals and visitors. They have created murals across Japan, including portraits of athletes at Es Con Field Hokkaido and deeply personal depictions of residents in Futaba Town, reflecting the town’s recovery and resilience.
The Futaba Art District stands as a testament to the power of art in community revitalization, offering both locals and visitors a chance to engage with the town’s history and culture through creative expression. Walking through Futaba and witnessing these murals firsthand was a deeply moving experience—one that reflects not only the town’s past struggles but also its determination to create a hopeful and thriving future through art.
Elena Calderón Aláez is an independent researcher of Graffiti and Street Art and a flaneur nomad from Madrid. She graduated in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage from Complutense University of Madrid and is an active member of the group StreetArtConservators. She is part of the Street Art Cities community, and a member of an urban art & graffiti researchers group in Spain. She has been based in Tokyo since 2020 and is the Chief curator of TOTEMO street art NFT marketplace since 2021.