Video: Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi
The quake damaged piping linked to a rooftop water tank, rendering firefighting equipment inoperable at the Mitsukoshi department store in Nihonbashi. A fire tore through the interior while the exterior structure remained intact. The landmark has been rebuilt and it was designated as a nationally important cultural property in 2016.
A pair of lion statues at the entrance also withstood the disaster. They have welcomed customers for more than 100 years.
Video: Saigo Takamori statue at Ueno Park
The Saigo Takamori statue at Ueno Park became a message board following the earthquake. It was covered with missing person notices. People gathered around the statue to look for their loved ones. According to a government report, about 500,000 people took refuge at the park.
Video: Kokyo Gaien National Garden
According to police records, about 210,000 people sought refuge at the Kokyo Gaien National Garden in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Many people set up camp there and stayed for some time.
Video: Ueno Station
Hundreds of people gathered at Ueno Station until it was engulfed by fire the day after the earthquake. The evacuees escaped to the neighboring Ueno Park. Train services resumed three weeks later.
Video: Nihonbashi
According to government records, a large part of the Nihonbashi area was burned. The famous bridge withstood the quake and was later designated as a nationally important cultural property. Today, the district is filled with skyscrapers.
Video: Sensoji temple
Sensoji temple in Asakusa became a shelter where evacuees were provided with food and other comforts. The temple accepted about 15,000 people.
Video: Azumabashi bridge
Azumabashi bridge, which stretches across the Sumida River, sustained severe fire damage. Railway officials were brought in from all over Japan to repair it.
The Great Kanto Earthquake map
NHK has hundreds of photos of the destruction and suffering caused by the Great Kanto Earthquake. They were sent in by viewers over the years. As part of a special project, the locations have been pinned on a map. Click the URL below to view the photos as well as news films from the time.
https://www.nhk.or.jp/archives/saigai/special/kantodaishinsai/
(Map is only available in Japanese.)