Waraji, a giant straw sandal festival of Fukushima Prefecture, takes place during "the Tohoku Kizuna(Bonding) Festival" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 9, 2024. The Kizuna Festival, originally called the Rokkon Festival began in 2011 as an opportunity to mourn the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as to reignite hope and joy to the Tohoku region. The name of the festival was later changed to Kizuna, meaning "bonds" or "ties" as the festival is a way to bring all of Tohoku together for two special days every year in the early summer.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

Waraji, a giant straw sandal festival of Fukushima Prefecture, takes place during "the Tohoku Kizuna(Bonding) Festival" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 9, 2024. The Kizuna Festival, originally called the Rokkon Festival began in 2011 as an opportunity to mourn the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as to reignite hope and joy to the Tohoku region. The name of the festival was later changed to Kizuna, meaning "bonds" or "ties" as the festival is a way to bring all of Tohoku together for two special days every year in the early summer.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

Waraji, a giant straw sandal festival of Fukushima Prefecture, takes place during "the Tohoku Kizuna(Bonding) Festival" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 9, 2024. The Kizuna Festival, originally called the Rokkon Festival began in 2011 as an opportunity to mourn the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as to reignite hope and joy to the Tohoku region. The name of the festival was later changed to Kizuna, meaning "bonds" or "ties" as the festival is a way to bring all of Tohoku together for two special days every year in the early summer.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

Morioka Sansa matsuri, a drum festival of Iwate Prefecture, takes place during "the Tohoku Kizuna(Bonding) Festival" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 9, 2024. The Kizuna Festival, originally called the Rokkon Festival began in 2011 as an opportunity to mourn the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as to reignite hope and joy to the Tohoku region. The name of the festival was later changed to Kizuna, meaning "bonds" or "ties" as the festival is a way to bring all of Tohoku together for two special days every year in the early summer.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

Morioka Sansa matsuri, a drum festival of Iwate Prefecture, takes place during "the Tohoku Kizuna(Bonding) Festival" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 9, 2024. The Kizuna Festival, originally called the Rokkon Festival began in 2011 as an opportunity to mourn the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as to reignite hope and joy to the Tohoku region. The name of the festival was later changed to Kizuna, meaning "bonds" or "ties" as the festival is a way to bring all of Tohoku together for two special days every year in the early summer.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

Morioka Sansa matsuri, a drum festival of Iwate Prefecture, takes place during "the Tohoku Kizuna(Bonding) Festival" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 9, 2024. The Kizuna Festival, originally called the Rokkon Festival began in 2011 as an opportunity to mourn the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as to reignite hope and joy to the Tohoku region. The name of the festival was later changed to Kizuna, meaning "bonds" or "ties" as the festival is a way to bring all of Tohoku together for two special days every year in the early summer.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

Kanto matsuri, the pole lantern festival of Akita Prefecture, takes place during "the Tohoku Kizuna(Bonding) Festival" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 8, 2024. The Kizuna Festival, originally called the Rokkon Festival began in 2011 as an opportunity to mourn the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as to reignite hope and joy to the Tohoku region. The name of the festival was later changed to Kizuna, meaning "bonds" or "ties" as the festival is a way to bring all of Tohoku together for two special days every year in the early summer.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )