The storyteller, who used to go to the school, gave an excellent explanation and really helped us understand what happened at the time of the tsunami. I was especially moved by the story of how the children fled to the roof and what happened with people in the area.
Southern Miyagi Prefecture
Model Tours
- 1Sendai Station
- 2Yamamoto Town Ruins of the Great East Japan Earthquake: Nakahama Elementary School
- 3Watari Onsen Torinoumi
- 4Watari B&G Kaiyo Marine Center boathouse
- 5Kanahebisui Shrine and Sando Terrace
- 6Millennium Hope Hills Exchange Center
- 7Natori City Earthquake Reconstruction Museum and Natori City Earthquake Memorial Park
- 8Natori Cycle Sports Center
- 9Sendai Station
1Sendai Station
1 hour by car
2Yamamoto Town Ruins of the Great East Japan Earthquake: Nakahama Elementary School
The tsunami reached almost up to the ceiling of the second floor of this seaside elementary school, but the lives of the children and 90 people in total were spared. The building is open for public viewing in its damaged state. It is possible to go inside the building, see the traces of the tsunami, watch videos of that day, and see the attic where everyone spent one cold night before being rescued.
Address: 22-2 Kune, Sakamoto, Yamamoto Town, Watari District
Phone: 0223-23-1171
Comment from Kyung Chol Moon
20 minutes by car
3Watari Onsen Torinoumi
This is a hot spring facility with an open-air bath where you can feel the sea breeze and a large indoor bath overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The mildly alkaline natural hot spring water is relaxing and healing. There is also an ocean-view restaurant that serves fresh seafood and local cuisine.
Address: 41-2 Chikkodori, Arahama, Watari Town, Watari District
Phone: 0223-35-2744
10 minutes by car
4Watari B&G Kaiyo Marine Center boathouse
A marine sports center for learning how to use a SUP, boat or kayak. Rides by jet ski or small boat are also offered, along with safety classes held on land and other events for enjoying the sea.
Address: 7-6 Arahama-torinoumi, Watari Town, Watari District
Phone: 0223-33-2210
Comment from Lin Wei Cheng
It was my first time to go kayaking and I was a bit nervous, but once I started paddling, all my nervousness disappeared. I think I got a lot better at it in a short time, and it felt great!。
30 minutes by car
5Kanahebisui Shrine and Sando Terrace
A shrine dedicated to snakes and dragons, which are seen as embodiments of the benevolent water god and believed to be guardians of wealth, vitality, and livelihood. A facility built in the outer garden of the shrine—Sando Terrace— features a spacious open-air deck rest area, souvenir shop, restaurant, and café.
Address: 7 Suijin, Miiroyoshi, Iwanuma City
Phone: 0223-22-2672
Comment from Swastika
It was great to see that they had more than just traditional kagura performances at the shrine, but a jazz concert as well! Also, snakes symbolize different things in all sorts of religions and cultures, and I learned that in Japan they represent money and eternity. We were able to eat at Sando Terrace, and the snake-themed sweets were creative and really tasty!
20 minutes by car
6Millennium Hope Hills Exchange Center
A series of memorial parks along a 10-kilometer stretch of coastline that utilize collective relocation sites. They include memorial monuments, evacuation hills, and a path connecting the hills (a green embankment). At one park is an exchange center with photographs, panel displays, and video footage that provide a record of the tsunami and the lessons learned, showing also the progress being made in reconstruction.
Address: 177 Hama, Shimonogo, Iwanuma City
Phone: 0223-23-8577
Comment from Swastika
The storyteller told us that even after 11 years had passed, she felt just the same in her heart. She said, “As time passes, the sadness only grows.” This really moved me. We can’t even guess the depth of that sadness, but I feel that we can listen to people’s stories and communicate them to others.
15 minutes by car
7Natori City Earthquake Reconstruction Museum and Natori City Earthquake Memorial Park
The museum was built to convey the memories and lessons of the earthquake and tsunami through exhibits, videos, and more, including a pre-disaster diorama of the town of Yuriage and a walking map of Natori. The exhibits teach visitors about the area, both present and past. The museum also has fun hands-on exhibits for learning disaster preparedness, such as a door that you try to push open against water pressure and wooden strap-on sandals that let you feel water pressure through your feet.
Address: 1-1-1 Yuriage-higashi, Natori City
Phone: 022-393-6520
Comment from Lin Wei Cheng
The hands-on exhibits were interesting. When I put on the geta sandals to simulate walking through 30 cm depth of water, it was hard to move my legs. Also, with the simulation of the tsunami pressing against a door you are trying to open, it was so heavy I could hardly move it. These are things you can’t learn only from a video.
10 minutes by car
8Natori Cycle Sports Center
This sports park and hot spring lodging facility has a four-kilometer-long cycling path, plus a skateboard park, futsal court, and other facilities. The Rinrin-no-Yado lodging facility has natural hot springs that can be used by non-staying guests as well, so it’s a great way to refresh oneself after physical exertion.
Address: 2-20 Higashisuka, Yuriage, Natori City
Phone: 022-385-8027
45 minutes by car