Sanriku Coast

What to know

The Sanriku Coast (三陸海岸, Sanriku Kaigan) is a rugged, scenic shoreline stretching over 300 kilometers along the Pacific side of Tohoku Region, crossing Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures. Its countless bays, cliffs, and coves have long drawn tourists, and much of it is protected as Sanriku Recovery National Park.

This coast has suffered major tsunamis throughout history. On March 11, 2011, Japan's strongest recorded earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that devastated the northeastern Pacific coast, especially the Sanriku area. About 20,000 people died, and tens of thousands of buildings were destroyed. Entire city districts vanished, and some towns were nearly wiped out.

Reconstruction is well underway but continues. Many attractions reopened within months of the disaster. Tourism is seen as a key way to revive the region and ensure the tragedy is not forgotten.

Activities and attractions

Kitayamazaki CoastMost spectacular section of the Sanriku CoastTashiro IslandSmall, rural island with a large cat populationJodogahama BeachBeautiful beach on a nice peninsulaShiogama Fish MarketA large fish market open to visiting touristsKesennuma City Memorial MuseumTsunami-hit high school turned into a museumIwate Tsunami MemorialExcellent museum about the 2011 tsunamiRyusendo CaveOne of Japan’s best limestone cavesShiogama ShrineOne of the region’s most important shrinesRikuzentakataHome city of the miracle pine treeKesennumaFishing port town heavily hit by the tsunamiMinamisanrikuOne of the worst hit towns along the coastIshinomori Manga MuseumCommemorating manga artist Ishinomori ShotaroMiyakoPort city known for its Jodogahama BeachIshinomakiPort city badly affected by the tsunamiKamaishiThe birthplace of the iron industry in JapanShiogamaFishing town between Sendai and MatsushimaHiyoriyama ParkHilltop park in central Ishinomaki CityGoishi CoastScenic coastline south of OfunatoMiyako Fish MarketPublic market for fresh seafood and produceKamaishi DaikannonRoughly 50 meter tall statue of KannonRias Ark Museum of ArtContemporary art and history museumOnagawaPort town badly hit by the tsunamiIron History MuseumDedicated to the local iron and steel industryKesennuma Fish MarketOne of Japan’s largest fish marketsSant Juan Bautista MuseumAbout a locally built Spanish-style galleon