Sendai

Sendai City is "Tohoku's center." Sendai's population is about 1.1 million (2023). Tohoku region's largest city. But for Sendai residents, "2011" is a special year. March 11, 2011, 14:46. Magnitude 9.1 massive earthquake. Sendai was 130km from the epicenter. Nearest major city. Tsunami hit Sendai Plain at 700km/h. Flooded up to 10km inland. For Sendai residents, the "earthquake" isn't the past. It's the present. Sendai residents recovered from the earthquake. But that experience changed their view of "cars." For Sendai residents, cars are "evacuation tools." In 2011, many people evacuated by car. Without cars, couldn't escape. For Sendai residents, cars aren't "hobbies." They're "survival tools." Sendai is Tohoku's central city. But far from Tokyo. About 350km to Tokyo. About 90 minutes by Shinkansen. About 5 hours by car. For Sendai residents, the "center" is far. About 400km to Fuji Speedway (about 5 hours). About 650km to Suzuka Circuit (about 8 hours). For Sendai residents, motorsport is a "distant world." Sendai has Sportsland SUGO (Miyagi Prefecture, about 50km). Small circuit. But Sendai residents don't go. Why? Sendai residents aren't interested in "speed." In 2011, the tsunami came at 700km/h. "Speed" means death. For Sendai residents, living "slowly" is important. Don't rush. The "culture of enjoying speed" called motorsport doesn't match Sendai residents' values.