Hi Local Guides family,
I am incredibly honored to share that I have been awarded the Top Google Maps Local Guide Movers & Shakers 2025 badge. Looking back, this journey started with a deep personal mission in Iwate, Japan.
In 2022, I moved to Kamaishi City, Iwate. Having spent six years in the Tohoku region during my university days, I returned with a nostalgic heart. However, the scenery had changed completely. In March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent tsunami caused devastating damage to Kamaishi and the coastal areas of Iwate. The beautiful Sanriku rias coastline I once loved was now covered by massive sea walls. New roads stood where homes once were.
Seeing the resilience of the people staying there despite the loss, I asked myself: “What can I do for Kamaishi and Iwate?”
I decided to use Google Maps to share the hidden culture and soul-stirring cuisine of the Sanriku area with the world, hoping to inspire people to visit. My first step was a post about a local Japanese confectionery shop called “Mori Kamado” (もりかまど). I still remember the excitement I felt as the view counts began to rise.
In the same year, I also participated as a volunteer in a local middle school project to restore the sandy beaches at Nebama that were washed away by the tsunami and to bring back the native coastal plants that once grew there.
For five months, every student from 7th to 9th grade took part in this mission—removing weeds, clearing driftwood and debris, planting seeds, and nurturing seedlings before finally transplanting them back to the beach.
The students who handled the planting in 2024 were either born in the year of the 2011 disaster or were still in their mothers’ wombs at the time.Seeing these children, who grew up overcoming the aftermath of the earthquake, now working with their own hands to restore their birthplace was truly moving. It deeply reinforced my commitment to continue sharing the beauty and resilience of this region.
Since then, I’ve kept sharing. And in 2024, my beloved Kamaishi City became the first in Japan to win the “Gold Award” from Green Destinations, recognizing its sustainable tourism efforts. Knowing that my contributions as a Local Guide align with my city’s global recognition makes this “Movers & Shakers” badge even more special.
Now I live in Sapporo, but the passion I found in Kamaishi continues to drive my contributions every day.
This award isn’t just mine—it belongs to the beautiful spirit of Iwate. Thank you for letting me share my story!
Happy guiding, dfivajp
