Parts of Japan saw the devastating effects of tsunami in 2011. Rikuzentakata was reported to have been "wiped off the map" by the tsunami following the Tohoku earthquake. The town's tsunami shelters were designed for a wave of three to four metres in height, but the tsunami of March 2011 created a wave 13 metres high which inundated the designated safe locations. Although the town was well prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis and had a seawall, it was not enough, and more than 80% of 8,000 houses were swept away. Through the JENESYS programme the VLM students had the opportunity to visit the site at Rikuzentakata, where they supported the tsunami restoration work.