The country united in a solemn silence today as it paid tribute to those who died in the disaster.
Huge waves over 20 metres high swept away whole villages and many coastal areas were totally submerged.
The earthquake, which measured 9.0 on the Richter Scale, unleashed a nuclear crisis at Fukushima power plant as vital cooling systems were wiped out.
Three reactors at the power plant were destroyed forcing 100,000 nearby residents to flee their homes over radiation fears.
Survivor Mika Hashikai, 37, lost both her parents in the catastrophe and spent the one-year anniversary laying flowers at the homes of former friends and neighbours who died.
Sea wall ... waves crashed over defences as the tsunami hit on March 11 2011 in Miyako City, Iwate prefecture
First anniversary ... people join hands facing the sea to mourn victims in Minamisanriku town, Miyagi prefecture
Mika's brother lost his wife and daughter in the disaster.
She said: "I only wish for my brother's happiness now that he's lost everything and is alone. Maybe one day he can remarry and have children again."
Loss ... a woman cries after laying flowers where a house used to stand in Natori city, Miyagi
At a service in Tokyo, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised Japan would be "reborn an even better place".
He said: "Our predecessors who brought prosperity to Japan have repeatedly risen up from crises, every time becoming stronger.
Wasteland ... a survivor offers prayers from a hot-air balloon over Natori city, Miyagi prefecture
Carnage... whole villages were destroyed by 20 metre waves
"We will stand by the people from the disaster-hit areas and join hands to achieve the historic task of rebuilding."
Over 325,000 people in Japan are still in temporary housing after their homes were destroyed.
A huge clean-up operation is not yet complete and many rebuilding projects are still to begin.
Tribute... Mourners pay their respects across the country
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