5 recommended spots in Yamada Town, Iwate Prefecture! ~The sea and the mountains are close by! Yamada is a town where you can enjoy both~

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Hello! I'm K, in charge of the Miyako region. Today I'd like to introduce some recommended sightseeing spots in Yamada Town, located almost in the center of the Iwate Prefecture coast.

Written by

Iwate Prefecture Coastal Regional Development Bureau

Hello! This is the Iwate Prefectural Coastal Regional Development Bureau, which is responsible for the coastal areas of the Iwate Prefectural Government. We are responsible for 13 coastal municipalities from Tanohata Village in the north to Rikuzentakata City in the south. On March 11, 2011, a massive tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake struck this area. Although we suffered enormous damage, we have been on the road to recovery thanks to support from all over the world. The area also places great emphasis on disaster prevention education, and has earthquake relics and facilities to pass on the history of the disaster. You can experience the history of reconstruction by walking with a guide. [Famous places in the north] Tanohata Village is home to Kitayamazaki, a series of 200-meter-high cliffs; Iwaizumi Town is home to Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves; Miyako City is home to Jodogahama, a beach of pure white stones said to resemble paradise; and Yamada Town is home to Oshima (also known as Holland Island) and Koshima, both of which float in a calm bay. The Sanriku Railway is the perfect way to enjoy this region. Take a leisurely ride on the local line and enjoy the scenery from the train window. [Famous places in the middle] In Otsuchi town, you can enjoy both the sea and the mountains, such as Horai Island, affectionately known to the locals as "Hyotan Island," and in Kamaishi city, the Hashino Iron Mine, the site of Japan's oldest surviving Western-style blast furnace and a registered World Heritage Site. This area is also famous for its local performing arts such as Toramai and ShikaOdori, and you can experience these ancient traditions at events and festivals. [Famous places in the south] There are many spots where you can experience the region's unique nature and culture, such as Goishi Coast in Ofunato, where you can enjoy the varied scenery of the rias coast; the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum in Rikuzentakata, which disseminates the facts and lessons learned from the tsunami; and Roukando Cave, a limestone cave with one of Japan's largest waterfalls inside a cave in Sumita town. This is an area where you can enjoy the blessings brought by the majestic nature while also learning the wisdom and lessons of coexisting with the threats of nature. We look forward to seeing you all.

Yamada Town is home to the calm Yamada Bay, which is surrounded by land for about 30km, and oyster farming is thriving within the bay. You can also experience marine activities on uninhabited islands such as Oshima (commonly known as Dutch Island) and Kojima, as well as on calm swimming beaches.

We also recommend climbing Mt. Kasumigatake (504 meters above sea level), which overlooks Yamada Bay, allowing you to enjoy the ocean scenery while you climb.

The town also features spots featured in the film "Sparrow's Door Lock," directed by Makoto Shinkai, which was released in 2022, and is popular with film fans both in Japan and abroad.

Recommended spot 1: Aragami Beach

At the southern tip of the Funakoshi Peninsula in the southern part of Yamada Town is the small Aragami Beach, home to a stretch of natural white sand that is rare in Sanriku.

Just offshore from the beach lies the lush, small island of Bentenjima, and the contrast between the emerald green ocean, white sand, and deep green forest is breathtakingly beautiful.

Because it is in a bay, the waves are calm and the scenery is soothing, making it a popular swimming beach in the prefecture. You can spend a relaxing time sunbathing and swimming in the sea.

There are toilets, changing rooms and shower facilities, so families can use the facility with peace of mind.

However, please be aware that the roads near the beach are narrow (making it difficult for cars to pass each other in some places) and there are only a few parking spaces (approximately 50), so please be careful if you are coming by car.

On the Funakoshi Peninsula, where the swimming beach is located, there is also an oyster hut (for a limited time only, reservation required), so be sure to try the delicious oysters harvested in Yamada Bay.

Sanriku Yamada Oyster Hut Homepage

Aragami Beach

028-1371 Funakoshi, Yamada-Machi, Shimohei-gun, Iwate Prefecture

Located at the southernmost tip of the Funakoshi Peninsula, this beach has beautiful white sand. Close by is Aragamisya Shrine, and at the back is Chikarajinseki, the stone that has a long history. Please try to find it.

Recommended spot 2: Aragamisha Shrine

Aragamisha Shrine is located overlooking the sea, right next to Aragami Beach.

The shrine is always surrounded by a solemn atmosphere, but behind it lies the mysterious "Chikarajinseki" (Power God Stone), which is said to become heavier or lighter if you lift it with a wish in mind.

Arajinja Shrine

028-1371 Funakoshi, Yamada-Machi, Shimohei-gun, Iwate Prefecture

This shrine is said to be the mausoleum of Hei Yoriki, a military commander from the end of the Heian period to the early Kamakura period who ruled this region. Located at the southernmost tip of the Funakoshi Peninsula, right in front of the shrine is Aragami Beach, with its beautiful white sand.

Recommended spot 3: Whale and Sea Science Museum

Yamada Town conducted commercial whaling until the 1980s.

The Whale and Sea Science Museum on the Funakoshi Peninsula exhibits one of the largest complete whale skeletons in Japan, which was created with the cooperation of the townspeople. The museum was damaged by the tsunami and typhoons caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, but we received cooperation from not only the local people but also people from all over the country in the restoration efforts.

Not only whales, but also deep-sea creatures, fishing gear and other ocean-related exhibits are easy to understand and can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

Whale and Sea Science Museum

028-1371 50-1 Funakoshi 7-jiwari, Yamada-Machi, Shimohei-gun, Iwate Pr...

The Whale and Sea Science Museum aims to deepen visitors' interest in the ocean by introducing the mysterious sea from various angles. The exhibits are arranged by theme from the top to the bottom of the building, and visitors can explore the museum as if they were taking a stroll underwater. The museum introduces the romantic world of whales through displays such as the world's largest actual skeleton of a gigantic sperm whale, a creature of the sea.

Recommended spot #4: Sanriku Railway Orikasa Station

It became famous after being used as a scene in the film "Suzume no Tojimari" directed by Makoto Shinkai, which will be released in 2022. Many anime fans from all over Japan and the world visit the place as a pilgrimage.

Inside the station, there is a small three-legged chair with two cats sitting on it, just like the characters in the movie. It's a great photo spot that makes you feel like you've stepped into a scene from the movie.

The old Orikasa Station building was damaged in the tsunami and later rebuilt in its current location, and the station building itself has become a symbol of hope and regeneration for the area.

Sanriku Railway Orikasa Station

028-1361 Iwate Prefecture Shimohei District Yamada Town Orikasa 12th D...

This is a small unmanned station on the Sanriku Railway in the Orikasa district of Yamada Town. It was relocated from the old station, which was severely damaged in the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, and was newly built. The station has a distinctive exterior, and the station name can be seen in the Japanese animated film "Suzume no Tojimari," so it has been talked about as a "pilgrimage spot" since the film was released. In the waiting room of the station, there are posters and goods from the film, and exchange notebooks are also set up.

Recommended spot No. 5: Yamada Bay Observation Plaza

As soon as you exit Orikasa Station onto National Route 45, you'll come across an open space with an observation deck that offers a panoramic view of Yamada Bay. In the summer, you can see the "Yamase" winds approaching from far offshore.

This is where the iconic "white door" that appears in the movie "Sparrow's Door Lock" is located.

This is also a popular photo spot, and many people visit it. You can open the door and take photos, so you can feel like the main character.

Yamada Bay Observation Deck

028-1361 111-9, Orikasa 11th District, Yamada-Machi, Shimohei-gun, Iwa...

This observation deck, located along National Route 45, offers a panoramic view of Yamada Bay. In many places in the city, Yamada Bay and Holland Island are hidden by the seawall, so be sure to climb up to the deck and take a look. In addition, to commemorate the appearance of scenery from within the town in the animated film "Suzume no Tojimari," released in 2022, a replica of the "door" that appears in the film has been installed in the square, making it a popular photo spot.

What did you think?

Of course, there are plenty of other tourist spots in Yamada Town!

For detailed tourist information on Yamada Town, please see the Yamada Town Tourism Association's website and official YouTube channel.

Yamada Town Tourism Association Official Homepage

Yamada Town Tourism Association Official YouTube Channel

Written by

Iwate Prefecture Coastal Regional Development Bureau

Iwate

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