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Visit Rikuzentakata and Kesennuma in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures to witness their recovery from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
Tohoku District Transport Bureau
The Rikuzentakata and Kesennuma areas suffered significant damage caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, and are now moving forward while still honoring all that was lost during the disaster.
Join this guided tour and visit the Takatamatsubara Memorial Park for Tsunami Disaster, a symbol of recovery, and the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum, built to share the facts and lessons of the tsunami with the world. Learn about traditional carpentry at the Kesen Carpentry Sakan Traditional Museum and get the full impact of the destruction at the preserved ruins in Kesennuma, which highlight the importance of disaster prevention and honor the memories and lessons of the earthquake.
Learn about the long tradition of fermented foods (and some new experiments, including craft beer) at Camocy, then support local producers and restaurateurs by sampling freshly caught seafood and locally brewed sake at Kesennuma Brewer’s Table. Or enjoy sushi and a visit to Japan’s only shark museum at Umino-ichi.
Combining memories of the past with hope for the future, learn from the stories and resilience of the communities in this coastal area of Tohoku.
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station (about 2 hours). Switch to the JR Ofunato Line to Kesennuma Station (about 2 hours). From Kesennuma Station, take the JR Ofunato Line BRT to Miracle Pine Tree Station (about 30 minutes).
(Takatamatsubara Memorial Park for Tsunami Disaster) 180 Dotekage Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate-ken
