The hidden Moai statues of Easter Island are in Minamisanriku! Ties between Chile and Minamisanriku

The famous Moai statues on Easter Island in Chile, South America. Originally, objects made from island stones were not allowed to be taken out, but the only one in the world that is allowed to be taken out is in Minamisanriku-cho, Miyagi Prefecture.

What is the relationship between Minamisanriku and Chile (Easter Island)?

Chile and Minamisanriku, which are located on the other side of the world, are linked by strong ties between areas that also suffered damage from the tsunami.

In 1960, residents of Minamisanriku town were killed by the Chilean earthquake and tsunami. Easter Island moai, created by a Chilean sculptor commissioned by Minamisanriku-cho as part of its hometown revitalization project, were installed in Matsubara Park (the location before the earthquake) in the Shizugawa district. (Photo right) However, in 2011, it was swept away by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the head and body were separated. After the earthquake, the head that was discovered was installed at Minami Sanriku High School and has been watching over high school students. The body was found in the same town some time later.

After the earthquake, the elders of Easter Island once again appealed to Minamisanriku to present Moai statues. "Can't we give a Japanese town destroyed by the sea a moai that gives mana (spiritual power) that makes people want to live there again? Together with my son, I want to give the moai that the Japanese people need. Carving!” Easter Island is a World Heritage Site, and there were some local objections to taking the stones out, but he persuaded them by mentioning the support they had received from Japan up until then, saying, “We need moai to watch over the reconstruction.”

What was sent there was a moai statue with eyes, which is the only one in the world🗿

“ When you put your eyes into the moai, mana (spiritual power) dwells in the moai. I hope that it will remove the sadness of Minamisanriku and watch over the reconstruction.”

Two Moai statues filled with feelings from Chile will be unveiled in July 2023 at the newly built Umibe no Hiroba.

Minamisanriku and Chile also have exchanges with residents, and a documentary was produced about the Tsunami Ladies and the women who overcame the damage of the tsunami.

Tsunami Ladies

Two Moai statues at Umibe no Hiroba, which will open in the summer of 2023

The two moai statues, which were set up to watch over the town with their backs to the sea, were both delivered from the Republic of Chile. One of them was washed away by the tsunami, but has been carefully stored at the current Minamisanriku High School. The other one was temporarily placed in the town's shopping district from 2013, but was moved to a new square overlooking Shizugawa Bay and unveiled on July 29, 2023.

They have exchanged for many years to celebrate the resilience of the two peoples in the face of adversity and to create bonds of solidarity. The two Moai statues will continue to watch over the town as a bond that binds the two countries together.

Access to Umibe no Hiroba

〒986-0743 68 Shizugawaminami-cho, Minamisanriku-cho, Motoyoshi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture

A 3-minute walk to the sea side from Michi-no-Eki Sansan Minamisanriku

Parking available