Rias Ark Museum of Art

What to know

Perched high on a hill overlooking Kesennuma, the Rias Ark Museum of Art (リアスアーク美術館) is a striking blend of contemporary art and local history. Its ship-like silhouette against the skyline inspired the name "Rias Ark"—a nod to the rias coastline of the Sanriku region and Noah's Ark. The building itself is a mix of traditional and modern materials, with concrete, steel, aluminum panels, stucco, and glass creating a unique architectural statement.

The museum sees itself as a guardian of local culture, passing it on to future generations much like its biblical namesake. Half of the space is dedicated to contemporary art—paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs donated by local artists. While the permanent collection highlights Miyagi artists, special exhibitions also bring in works from elsewhere to broaden visitors' cultural horizons.

The other half of the museum delves into Kesennuma's history and culture, with a permanent exhibition on daily life and the local economy of bygone eras. Fishing has always been vital here, so many exhibits focus on that industry, while a major section explores the region's food culture and its deep connection to the sea.

Thanks to its elevated location, the museum survived the March 2011 tsunami unscathed, though the earthquake caused damage and forced a closure of over a year. During that time, it served as a shelter and distribution center for locals, while staff documented the disaster through hundreds of photos and collected debris. These items now form part of the permanent exhibition, telling the story of the catastrophe.

The museum is not accessible by public transport. From Kesennuma Station, a taxi ride takes about 20 minutes and costs around 2400 yen one way.