An Eerie Look Inside Japan’s Nuclear Exclusion Zone | National Geographic

Years after the nuclear disaster in Japan’s Fukushima prefecture, radiation levels are still dangerously high. The once lively towns are empty — the clocks stopped at the time of the earthquake, the buildings remain abandoned, and in place, food and unopened mail still sits within the homes. Yet passing through checkpoints and donning protective garb, some prior residents return to visit their homes and share their stories and caution against nuclear power.

As time passes and billions of dollars are spent on clean-up efforts, radiation levels have begun to fall. Exclusion zone towns that are furthest from the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant are beginning to see restrictions lifted, however, those closer to the epicenter of the disaster may never be able to return.