On the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, a memorial event called "3.11 Memorial Night Museum" took place at the Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial and Heritage Center in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture. This event aimed to recreate the cold and darkness experienced by residents who sought refuge outdoors during the disaster. The courtyard of the adjacent former Kesennuma Koyo High School was adorned with lights forming the message "15th Thank You 3.11", expressing gratitude for the support received over the past 15 years.

On March 11, 2011, a tsunami exceeding 12 meters struck the four-story old school building, reaching up to the fourth floor. As temperatures dropped below zero and snow began to fall in the late afternoon, 48 staff members who had escaped to the rooftop spent the night under harsh conditions, encouraging one another. Following the traditional experience, about 40 visitors came after the center reopened post-sunset, seeking to understand the tribulations faced by the survivors during the earthquake.

Among the attendees was 18-year-old Momoko Abe, a recent graduate of Kesennuma High School, who lost her grandparents to the tsunami when she was just three years old. She expressed her desire to contribute positively, saying, "I want to help someone in the future so that no one will be sad." While braving the cold, she and her fellow narrators gazed upon the ethereal lights, contemplating the beauty of the starry sky and reflecting on whether those trapped in the school had shared that same view. Additionally, the center is hosting the "3.11 Memorial Events" until March 29, providing virtual experiences and exhibitions related to the feelings and memories of those who were affected by the disaster during that time.