Six years after tsunami ravaged Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture, the coastal city is moving to rebuild tourism with a unique home-stay program.

The minpaku (private lodging) program, organized by tourism promotion organization Marugoto Rikuzentakata, enables visitors to get a taste of the daily lives of local fishermen, farmers and other residents while learning about the March 11, 2011 disaster.

Dipendra Lamichhane, a 27-year-old Nepalese who joined one of the three-day tours in February, said it was an "unforgettable" experience, citing his host family's warm hospitality and the city's beautiful saw-toothed coastline.