A report from Kesennuma Oshima's "Kameyama Terrace 360°"! A breathtaking view from the mountaintop, accessible by monorail [Miyagi Prefecture]

A new tourist facility, "Kameyama Terrace 360° - Kesennuma Oshima -", opened on July 19, 2026, on Kesennuma Oshima Island in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture

The main attraction of the facility is the "Kameyama Monorail," which connects the middle of Mt. Kameyama to the summit

Built as a replacement for the old Kameyama Lift, which was damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake, this new facility has brought tourists back to the summit of Mt. Kameyama after approximately 15 years

From the mountaintop at an altitude of 235m, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kesennuma Bay, the ria coastline, and the Pacific Ocean

This time, we'll actually ride the Kameyama Monorail and give you a detailed look at the newly renovated observation terrace at the mountaintop and the view from there

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What is "Kameyama," the symbol of Kesennuma Oshima?

Mount Kameyama is a 235-meter-high mountain located on the northern side of Kesennuma Oshima Island. It is the highest peak on the island and is known as one of Kesennuma Oshima's most representative viewpoints

From the mountaintop, you can see more than just the endless Pacific Ocean

Depending on the direction you look, you'll see different scenery, including the calm surface of Kesennuma Bay, oyster rafts floating on the sea, the Kesennuma Oshima Bridge, the Kesennuma Bay Crossing Bridge, and the city of Kesennuma spreading out on the opposite shore

This is a place where you can see both the rich natural beauty of Kesennuma Oshima, also known as the "Green Pearl," and the lives of the people who live in harmony with the sea, all at once

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The "Kameyama Lift" once carried tourists to the summit of Mt. Kameyama

This is not the first time that transportation facilities to the summit of Mt. Kameyama have been established

In the past, there was a lift called the "Kameyama Lift" that connected the foot of the mountain to the area near the summit

The Kameyama Lift opened in 1967 (Showa 42). It was a single-person lift with a total length of approximately 903m, and the ride from the base of the mountain to near the summit took about 12 minutes

In the days before the Kesennuma-Oshima Bridge existed, tourists would travel to Oshima Island by passenger boat and then take a lift to the summit of Mt. Kameyama. The Kameyama Lift, which offered aerial views of the island's nature and the sea, became one of the iconic attractions of Oshima tourism, and in some years it attracted over 120,000 visitors annually

However, the situation changed dramatically with the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011

The Kameyama ski lift was damaged by the tsunami and the resulting fire, forcing its demolition. Because it was not eligible for reconstruction grants, it was not possible to rebuild the same lift

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The remaining problem of accessing the summit of Mt. Kameyama, which lacks a ski lift

Even after the removal of the Kameyama Lift, the beautiful view from the mountaintop was not lost

On the other hand, the means of reaching the summit were limited to walking from the parking lot halfway up the mountain or taking a shuttle bus that operated only during certain seasons

For people who have difficulty walking up steep slopes, or for families with small children, reaching the summit is by no means easy. Developing new access methods has been a long-standing challenge in order to make Kameyama a central tourist spot on Oshima Island once again

The Kameyama Monorail, which opened in 2026, is the one that took on that role

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"Kameyama Terrace 360°" and the monorail will open in July 2026

On July 19, 2026, "Kameyama Terrace 360° - Kesennuma Oshima -" opened

The monorail connecting the Kameyama parking lot on the mountainside to the summit uses a slope car manufactured by Kaho Seisakusho Co., Ltd. The rail is 409m long and takes about 6-7 minutes to ascend to the summit one way

The train consists of two carriages and has a passenger capacity of 39. It incorporates universal design features, with no steps between the platform and the train carriage floor, allowing for easy access for wheelchairs and strollers

Unlike the old lift, which involved traveling alone outdoors, the monorail is designed so that passengers can enjoy the scenery from inside the vehicle, which has large windows

While it's not a direct revival of the old ski lift, the role of "carrying many people to the summit of Mt. Kameyama" has been carried on in a new form

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I actually went to "Kameyama Terrace 360°"

From here, I will describe my experience visiting Kameyama Terrace 360°

To board the Kameyama Monorail, you need to go to "Kameyama Parking Station" located halfway up the mountain. However, if you are arriving by car, you cannot simply head straight to the Kameyama Parking lot

To manage congestion immediately after opening, those using the Kameyama parking lot will need to obtain a parking ticket in advance at the "Uranohama Temporary Parking Lot."

First, head to the Urahama temporary parking lot

First, we head to the temporary parking lot at Ura-no-hama, which is near the gateway to Kesennuma Oshima

After receiving your parking ticket for the Kameyama parking lot at the Uranohama temporary parking lot, follow the staff's instructions to proceed to the Kameyama parking lot where the monorail station is located

I visited around 9:00 AM. At that time, the temporary parking lot at Ura-no-hama was not crowded, and I was able to receive a parking ticket smoothly

It takes about 10 minutes by car from the Uranohama temporary parking lot to the Kameyama parking lot. The back of the parking ticket also shows the route to the Kameyama parking lot, so you can get there without getting lost

Please note that the distribution of parking tickets and the operation of temporary parking lots may change depending on congestion levels and other factors. Please check the official website for the latest information before your visit

Take the monorail from Kameyama Parking Station

You can enter the Kameyama parking lot by handing your parking ticket to the attendant at the entrance

Parking locations are not assigned. Once you enter the parking lot, you can park your car wherever you like

Once you've parked, head towards the parking lot at the back left of the photo

Purchase your round-trip ticket at the parking lot station or station building

The fare is 1,200 yen for junior high school students and older, 600 yen for elementary school students, and free for preschool children. One-way tickets are not sold, and advance reservations are not accepted

After purchasing your ticket, you wait inside the station building for the monorail to come down

The monorail departs and arrives three times an hour, every 20 minutes. When the monorail arrives at the parking lot station, you will be guided by an attendant to the platform and board the train

The monorail consists of two cars, and the vehicles are equipped with large windows, building anticipation for the view from the windows even before boarding

Furthermore, according to the announcement by the staff, when the train arrives at Kameyama Summit Station, the rear cars will have to climb several steps, so it is recommended that passengers with mobility issues ride in the front car

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Enjoy a 7-minute "aerial stroll"! Take in the scenery of Oshima Island from the train window

The monorail slowly ascends the slope surrounded by greenery

The ride takes about 6-7 minutes each way. As you gain altitude, you begin to see the sea and the coastline of the islands through the trees, giving you a real sense that you're getting closer to the summit

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We arrived at the "Kameyama Terrace 360°" at the summit

Upon disembarking from the monorail, you'll find yourself in the "Main Terrace," which is directly connected to the mountaintop station

Kameyama Terrace 360° features four terraces, each designed to offer a different view and scenery

The "main terrace" overlooks Kesennuma Bay

The main terrace has the most seating and offers panoramic views of Kesennuma Bay, oyster rafts, Kesennuma city, Kesennuma Oshima Bridge, and the Kesennuma Bay Crossing Bridge

Additionally, there is a Kameyama Terrace 360° cafe stand at the entrance to the main terrace

However, please note that the cafe stand at Kameyama Terrace is currently only open on weekends, so if you are planning to visit the cafe stand, be sure to check its operating schedule

On the opposite side of the main terrace are three terraces, each with its own unique features

"Sora no Terrace" - a place that feels like you're floating in the sky

On the opposite side of the main terrace, the first thing you'll find is the "Sora no Terrace" (Sky Terrace)

"Sora no Terrace" features two large, round sofas that can seat 3-4 people at once, allowing you to stretch out your legs and relax while enjoying the view

From "Sora no Terrace," you can see the entire island of Oshima. You can also see the "Oshima Welcome Terminal," which I stopped by when I visited the distribution point at Kameyama Parking Lot

"Umi no Terrace" offers views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastline

There are three two-seater sofas in "Umi no Terrace"

And stretching out before us is the Pacific Ocean. Below us to the right is the coastline formed by Tanaka Beach (in the foreground) and Oda Beach (in the background), which looks like a heart shape. And at the tip of the island, we can see Ryumai Cape and Kurosaki Island

"Hoshino Terrace" facing the horizon

The "Hoshino Terrace," facing southeast, does not have sofas, but instead features a "hip bar" where you can stand and enjoy the unobstructed view

From here, you can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean horizon and ships sailing offshore

Since it's the terrace at the very back, I think it might be a hidden gem

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A place where you can not only "see" but also "spend time" at the mountaintop

The new summit of Mt. Kameyama is designed not as a viewpoint where you just take a quick look and leave, but as a place where you can linger and relax

The four terraces offer a total of 50 seats, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery while sitting on sofas and other comfortable seating. The presence of restrooms and a rest house also makes it a relaxing place to spend time at the mountaintop

As mentioned above, the cafe stand is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, where you can purchase coffee, soft serve ice cream, Kameyama soda, and more

Furthermore, right next to the Kameyama Terrace, where you can enjoy a spectacular view, is the Atago Shrine, which has protected the island since ancient times

Kameyama was reduced to rubble by a wildfire that broke out immediately after the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, but the Atago Shrine at the summit miraculously survived. The sight of the shrine, which withstood the raging fire, has been a great source of strength for the islanders as they move towards recovery, and it remains a symbol of hope to this day

I recommend paying your respects when you visit

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A new tourist hub that carries on the legacy of the old ski lift

Since its opening in 1967, the Kameyama Lift has carried many tourists to the summit of Mt. Kameyama. Even after it was destroyed in the earthquake, the view of Oshima Island from the summit continues to attract people

The newly constructed monorail does not replicate the appearance of the former lift

However, the fact that more people, regardless of age or physical condition, can now reach the summit is a significant step forward for tourism in Kameyama

The scenery of Kameyama, where you can feel the sky and sea up close, will be passed down to a new generation along with the monorail

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summary

"Kameyama Terrace 360° - Kesennuma Oshima -" is a new tourist spot on Kesennuma Oshima where you can enjoy both the time spent riding the monorail to the mountaintop and a magnificent panoramic view from an altitude of 235m

Approximately 15 years have passed since the old Kameyama ski lift was damaged. Kameyama, where access to the summit has been revived in a new form, is also a place that symbolizes the current state of Kesennuma Oshima, which has made progress since the earthquake

When you visit Kesennuma Oshima, why not take a ride on the monorail and experience the scenery where the sea, mountains, and sky merge into one?

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