A team from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, has determined that the Aneyoshi district of Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, suffered the highest tsunami damage.

They found evidence that the surge hit 38.9 meters (127.6 feet).  This beats the 115 year old record, held by the same prefecture, of 38.2 meters.  That record was set in 1896.

Professor Akio Okayasu said despite the high surge there was little damage.  That’s because the town’s ancestors learned from the 1896 tsunami, and rebuilt most of their town on higher ground.