[Onahama, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture] Onahama has regained its liveliness with the opening of Onahama Marine Bridge

Onahama is a port town located in Iwaki City, located in the southern part of Fukushima Prefecture, and home to Onahama Port, the largest port in Fukushima Prefecture.

Originally a small fishing village, Onahama developed into a port town for shipping annual tax rice during the Edo period, and in the late Edo period (1855), Onahama Port also functioned as a port for shipping coal that was discovered nearby.

Onahama Port flourished in the Joban coalfields

Since the Meiji period, the amount of coal mined in the Tokiwa coalfield has increased, reaching 4 million tons a year at its peak, making it the largest producer in Japan. Along with this, Onahama Port developed greatly, and the town became booming.

After that, from the 1950s onwards, the mainstream energy industry was replaced by oil, and the coal industry rapidly declined. In 1985, the last mine closed, marking the end of the Tokiwa coalfield.

Of course, Onahama was greatly affected by the closure of the Joban Coal Mine, but even after the mine was closed, Onahama Port was maintained as an important port in the Tohoku region, and continued to develop as a fishing port with one of the largest catches in the country.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Onahama recovered faster than anywhere else.

The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in 2011 caused a huge tsunami that hit the port, causing devastating damage. Not only small fishing boats but also large cargo ships were washed ashore on the embankment, instantly losing its function as a port. Furthermore, the collapse of the nearby Fukushima nuclear power plant caused radioactive contamination to spread to the sea, causing enormous damage to the fishing industry.

For a while after the Great Earthquake, the aquarium "Aquamarine Fukushima" was plagued by rumors of pollution in the sea, but on July 15, 2011, just 126 days after the Great Earthquake, the aquarium "Aquamarine Fukushima" was reopened on July 16, 2011. Iwaki Marine Tower has reopened.

Onahama Marine Bridge, a symbol of recovery, was completed in 2018

In March 2018, the ``Onahama Marine Bridge'' was completed, connecting the artificial island ``Higashi Port,'' which had been reclaimed off the coast of Onahama Port since 1994, with Wharf No. 3 on the land side. It became a symbol of Onahama's recovery, as it was lit up at night.

"Onahama Marine Bridge" is currently being used only as a construction road as of 2022 as the offshore Higashi Port is still under construction, but it is scheduled to be used as a general road after the Higashi Port Terminal is completed.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Onahama Marine Bridge
• Address: Onahama Port
• Total length: 1805m
• Bridge section: 927m
• Lane: 1 lane on each side
• Sidewalk: One side only

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Onahama Port Wharf 1, where a former navy battleship is buried

Remains of World War II remain in an unexpected form at Onahama Port.

After the end of the war, Japan's reconstruction progressed rapidly, but it did not go as planned due to a shortage of construction materials such as steel and concrete. Construction of Onahama Port could not proceed due to a lack of materials, but what attracted attention was a retired navy battleship that had completed its role.

Breakwaters are generally made of reinforced concrete, but at Onahama Port, a battleship was sunk instead of concrete. In April 1948, the destroyer ``Sawakaze'' (built in 1920) was placed on the breakwater in front of the old fish market, and in August, the same destroyer ``Shiokaze'' (built in 1921) was placed on the breakwater in front of the old fish market. They were each sunk at the tip of the pier (currently pier No. 1).

Shipwreck breakwaters are built all over the country, but Sawakaze is the first shipwreck breakwater in Japan. After that, "Sawakaze" was removed in 1965 (Showa 40) due to improvements to the fishing port area. Only the turbine part of the engine remains of the Sawakaze is preserved and exhibited at Misaki Park.

"Shiokaze" still supports Pier 1 as the foundation when Pier No. 1 was renovated into a rock wall capable of berthing 10,000-ton class ships in 1957. Currently, the hull of Shiokaze cannot be seen, but the stern part of the hull is carved out above where it was sunk, and an explanation of the shipwreck breakwater is posted.

Onahama's largest commercial facility "Iwaki La La Mew"

"Iwaki La La Mew" is a commercial facility located at Onahama Port Pier 1, which is a shipwreck breakwater. The building opened in 1997, and although it suffered devastating damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, the building's skeleton was largely intact, so it was able to reopen at the end of November, eight and a half months later.

The first floor is a market with fresh seafood purchased from the nearby fish market and local specialties from Onahama and Iwaki, as well as a dining area with sushi, seafood, and ramen restaurants. The indoor play zone where children can play energetically is also popular. On the second floor, there is a restaurant where you can enjoy Western cuisine such as seafood and Italian cuisine, as well as a museum introducing Iwaki Onahama.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Iwaki La La Mew
• Address: 43-1 Onahama Tatsumicho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture (Onahama Port No. 1 Pier))
• Phone number: 0246-92-3701
• business hours:
• Product Sales/Live Iwaki Mew Room/9:00-18:00
• Food and drink (1F/2F)/Wanpaku Square Myu Myu/10:00-18:00
• Closed days: Irregular holidays (usually Wednesdays or Thursdays)
• URL: Iwaki La La Mew

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``Sunshine Girl'', a sightseeing cruise ship that takes you around Onahama Port in 50 minutes

The sightseeing cruise ship "Sunshine Girl" is a sightseeing cruise ship operated by Onahama Port Cruise that launched in April 2021, and there is a boarding ticket office at "Iwaki La La Mew". Cruising time is approximately 50 minutes.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Sightseeing boat “Sunshine Girl”
• Phone number: 0246-38-4197
• Flights: 3 flights a day (irregular flights, inquiries required)
• Admission: Adults 1,500 yen, Seniors (60 and over) 1,350 yen, Students (junior high school students and older) 1,000 yen, Elementary school students and under 500 yen, Up to 2 children of preschool age free for each adult or senior.
• URL: Sightseeing boat “Sunshine Girl”

Misaki Park is home to Iwaki Marine Tower, Misaki Shiomidai, and a barbecue plaza.

"Iwaki Marine Tower" is an observation tower located in the vast "Misaki Park" on a plateau at an altitude of 46 meters overlooking Onahama Port, and is approximately 60 meters high. The observation deck is located at a height of approximately 106 meters above sea level, and from the sky deck you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Onahama Port, the Pacific Ocean, and Iwaki City.

In addition to the Marine Tower, Misaki Park also has a lawn plaza, promenade, outdoor music hall, barbecue plaza, hotel, and restaurant, making it the best resort facility in Onahama. In one corner of the plaza, a turbine from the Sawakaze, which was sunk as a breakwater for a shipwreck, is on display.

In particular, Misaki Shiomidai, which juts out from the cliff into the Pacific Ocean, is thrilling as the end of the observation passageway is above the ocean. It's a very popular spot.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Iwaki Marine Tower
• Address: Inside Misaki Park, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0246-53-2448 (Misaki Park Management Office)
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
• Admission fee: General 330 yen, Junior high school and university students 220 yen, Elementary school students 170 yen
• Closed: 3rd Tuesday of the month (the next day if it is a holiday)

• Facility name: Misaki Shiomidai
• Address: Inside Misaki Park, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0246-53-2448 (Misaki Park Management Office)
• Free admission

• Facility name: Misaki Park
• Address: 93 Daisaku, Onahama Shimokamipaku, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture (Misaki Park Management Office)
• Phone number: 0246-53-2448
• Free to walk around the park except for paid facilities
• URL: Misaki Park

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Aquamarine Fukushima was one of the first to recover and is now more energetic than before the earthquake.

"Aquamarine Fukushima" is an aquarium located at Onahama Port No. 2 Pier. During the Great East Japan Earthquake, the fish and monsters on display were severely damaged by the tsunami, but the fish and monsters on display, with the exception of pelagic fish that could no longer sustain life, were moved to Kamogawa Sea World (Chiba Prefecture) from the day after the earthquake. ), Ueno Zoo (Tokyo), Kasai Rinkai Aquarium (Tokyo), Izu Mito Sea Paradise (Shizuoka Prefecture), and Enoshima Aquarium (Kanagawa Prefecture). Thanks to the efforts of staff and other stakeholders, it was reopened on July 15th, just 126 days later.

The biggest feature of ``Aquamarine Fukushima'' is the environmental reproduction type exhibit, where the environment in which the creatures live is recreated as much as possible, allowing you to see them as they really are.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Aquamarine Fukushima
• Address: Onahama Port 2nd Pier, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0246-73-2525
• Opening hours: March 21st - November 30th / 9:00 - 17:30 (last entry time 16:30), December 1st - March 20th / 9:00 - 17:00 (last entry time 16:00) *Opening hours will be extended during special periods such as Golden Week, Obon holidays, and the day of fireworks festivals.
• Admission fee: General 1,850 yen, Elementary, junior high and high school students 900 yen, Preschool children free
• Closed: Open all year round
• URL: Aquamarine Fukushima

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Onahama Fish Market is booming with Tokiwa fish and bonito.

"Onahama Fish Market" collapsed in the Great East Japan Earthquake, but was rebuilt and reopened in 2015 in front of "Iwaki La La Mew."

As a fishing port, Onahama Port ranks among the highest in Japan in terms of the amount of catches such as bonito and saury, and is known for a wide variety of inshore fish known as "Tokiwa products."

Onahama Fish Market is built so that the road side is closed off, so you cannot see inside from the outside. Inside the market, there is a glass-enclosed space on the second floor for viewing, so you can visit it by applying at the Fisheries Association Office on days other than closed days (Sundays, public holidays, and public holidays).

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Onahama Fish Market
• Address: 41 Onahama Tatsumicho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0246-54-6121
• Application: Fisheries cooperative office
• Market viewing hours: Weekdays: 9:00-16:00 / Saturdays: 9:00-11:30
• Closed: Sundays, public holidays, and public holidays

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Iwaki City Tourism Site

• Phone number: 0246-44-6545
• URL: Iwaki City Tourism Website