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Iwate Prefecture's Sanriku Coast used to be home to many swimming beaches along its varied coastline, but after the 2011 earthquake, the beaches were closed for a while, and people spent lonely summers
However, over the past five years or so, beaches across the country have been undergoing restoration, and people are beginning to cheer again on the calm waves and clear, shallow beaches
Here we will introduce some recommended restored beaches along the long coastline of Iwate Prefecture from north to south, along with information on sightseeing and gourmet spots in the surrounding area!
Funado Beach (Kuji City)
From the official Kuji City website
This is a small beach located north of Kosodekaigan in Kuji, which was the setting for the hit NHK drama series "Amachan" in 2013
The sandy beach, surrounded by rocks about 100m long, is a swimming beach where you can also enjoy playing on the rocks
There is free parking, temporary showers, toilets, and drinking fountains, and the Funado Rest House has a restaurant and hot shower room where you can relax, so it is popular with families during the season
Funado Beach <Information>
Beach name: Funado Beach
Location: Nagauchi-cho, Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 0194-52-2123 (Kuji City Tourism and Exchange Division)
Swimming time: 9:00-17:00
Swimming period: July 15th (Sat) to August 31st (Thu), 2023
Another recommended hidden spot in Kuji: Samuraihama Seawater Pool
From the official Kuji City website
This pool is carved out of the rocks along the coast of Samuraihama and filled with seawater.It is shallow and has no waves, so even small children can play safely and enjoy swimming in the sea without any worries .
You can use the parking lot at the nearby Kitasamuraihama Campground, which is conveniently equipped with coin showers, changing rooms, and flush toilets
In the TV drama "Amachan," Aki, who aspires to become a diver, practices free diving here , and fans still visit the place today.
Samuraihama Seawater Pool <Information>
Beach name: Samuraihama Seawater Pool
Location: Mukaimachi 7th lot, Samuraihamacho, Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number (July to end of September): 0194-58-3855 (Kitasamuraihama Campground)
Phone number (outside the above period): 0194-52-2123 (Kuji City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division)
Swimming time: 9:00-17:00
Swimming period: Wednesday, July 16th to Thursday, August 31st, 2023
The area known as Kita-Sanriku, which includes Kuji City, has no bays and its coastline faces the Pacific Ocean, resulting in an abundance of sea urchins, sea squirts, wakame seaweed, abalone, and other marine products
Among them, Hirono Town boasts the highest sea urchin catch in Iwate Prefecture thanks to the "Nambu Moguri" diving tradition that is passed down in the Taneichi area, and the "Nambu Divers" featured in the TV drama "Amachan" are trained at Taneichi High School's Marine Development Department
Every year from June to August, when sea urchin is in season, restaurants in Hirono Town serve fresh raw sea urchin rice bowls. This year, the Taneichi Sea Urchin Festival, where sea urchins are sold on the spot, will be held on July 16th for the first time in four years
Hirono Town Tourism Association <Information>
Facility name: Hirono Town Tourism Association
Address: 23-27 Taneichi, Hirono-cho, Kunohe-gun, Iwate Prefecture, Taneichi City Hall, Fisheries and Commerce Division
Jodogahama is located in the center of Sanriku Fukko National Park and Sanriku Geopark, and is a scenic spot that represents the Sanriku coast
The cove, made up of large and small white volcanic rocks, has calm waves and very clear water, and the contrast between the green of the evergreen trees on the rocks and the deep blue sky and ultramarine sea creates a spectacular view that has been described as "just like paradise."
In the summer, this beach becomes a swimming spot and was selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Beaches in the Sea section. Jodogahama Rest House, which has changing rooms, coin lockers, hot showers, toilets, and where you can eat and rest, becomes a "beach house."
Jodogahama Beach <Information>
Beach name: Jodogahama
Location: Hitachihama-cho, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 0193-62-2111 (Miyako City Industry Promotion Department Tourism Division)
Swimming hours: 8:30-17:00
Swimming period: July 22, 2023 (Saturday) to August 15, 2023 (Tuesday)
During the sea urchin season off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, freshly caught sea urchins are packed into milk bottles with sterilized seawater to preserve their delicious flavor and are then sold at fish shops and supermarkets
Taking inspiration from this style, "Bin Don" is a dish made by marinating sea urchin, squid, octopus, salmon roe, kelp, and wakame seaweed in soy sauce and bottling them
From the Iwate Prefecture Tourism Portal Site
Ten restaurants in Miyako City serve this bottled rice dish, and when you pour the contents of the bottle over your rice and shovel it down, the taste of paradise fills your mouth.
Bottle Don ＜Information＞
Facility name: Miyako Tourism and Cultural Exchange Association
Address: 1-1-80 Miyamachi, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture
From the Yamada Town Tourism Association official website
Yamada Town has two swimming beaches, Uranohama and Arajin, but a hidden gem we recommend is the beach on Oranda Island, an uninhabited island in Yamada Bay
The island's name comes from the fact that Dutch ships stopped here to escape storms during the Edo period
It has the atmosphere of a private beach, and when you swim in the crystal clear water, small fish will come close to you, providing a fun experience that you won't find at other beaches
However, although there are toilets and changing rooms on the island, there are no restaurants or vending machines, so be sure to bring your own food and drinks
The island can be reached by a cruise boat that makes five round trips per day and requires a reservation, but if you wish to land on any other boat, you will need to apply in advance to the town
Yamada Bay Observation Plaza is the sacred place of "Sparrow's Door Lock"
From the Yamada Town Tourism Association official website
At the Yamada Bay Observation Plaza in Orikasa, Yamada Town, there is a "white door" that is depicted as the "back door," the entrance and exit to disaster that appears in the movie "Sparrow's Door Lock."
As the scenery of Yamada Town is depicted towards the end of the film, a "pilgrimage," and it was installed in this plaza overlooking Yamada Bay.
The door is covered in ivy and has signs of having been burned, reminiscent of a scene from a movie
From the Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization official website
There are several theories about the origin of the place name "Kirikiri," but the most popular theory is that it comes from the Ainu word for "singing sand," as the white sand makes a "kirikiri" sound when you walk on it
The beach, which once had a wide, beautiful sandy beach, has changed dramatically since that day, but showers, toilets, changing rooms, and other facilities have been re-installed, and it is gradually regaining its former glory
Horai Island, floating in Otsuchi Bay, looks just like the island in the story "Hyokkori Hyoutanjima."
From the Otsuchi Town official website
Horaijima is a small island about 140m in circumference, and is one of the islands that is said to be the model for the popular old puppet show "Hyokkori Hyoutanjima" because its shape resembles that of the island
Additionally, a breakwater connects the Otsuchi Coastal Center of the University of Tokyo's Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute in Akahama to Horai Island, allowing you to walk across freely, but please note that there are no handrails, so please refrain from crossing in strong winds or high waves
On that day, the beach, which was once a magnificent 2km stretch of sandy beach with approximately 70,000 pine trees, was completely lost except for one pine tree. However, 11 years later, in 2021, the beach has been revived with the planting of approximately 40,000 pine seedlings
Unlike before, you can't see the ocean unless you go over the seawall, but you can still enjoy swimming on the soft sand while looking at the rapidly growing pine grove
The paid parking lot can accommodate 300 cars, and there are hot showers and toilets, with lifeguards on duty, so it is safe for families with children
Takada Matsubara Beach <Information>
Beach name: Takada Matsubara Beach
Address: 766 Sunamori, Kesencho, Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 0192-54-5011 (Rikuzentakata City Tourism and Products Association)
Let's do our best, Rikuzentakata! The "Miracle Pine Tree" watches over the city
From the Iwate Prefecture Tourism Portal Site
At that time, this pine tree was the only one left standing among the 70,000 trees that were swept away, and it gave indescribable courage and strength to live to the devastated people
However, due to salt damage to the ground where its roots were growing, the tree eventually gave out and was cut down. However, it was later treated with preservatives and restored to its original location in 2013, and is now preserved as a power spot symbolizing the tree's recovery
Miracle Pine Tree <Information>
Facility name: Miracle Pine Tree (Takada Matsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park)
Location: Takata Matsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park, 176-6 Sunamori, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture
In addition to these, there are many other beaches along Iwate Prefecture's Pacific coast where you can enjoy swimming, and all of them are undergoing restoration
For the people living along the coast of Iwate, the sea is home and they hope that many tourists will visit and enjoy it
Be sure to visit the Sanriku Coast and enjoy the stunning scenery, crystal clear waters, and unparalleled seafood
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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