Sanriku Coast

The Sanriku Coast (�O���C��, Sanriku Kaigan) is a dramatic, rocky shoreline with countless bays, cliffs and coves. It stretches for over 300 kilometers along the Pacific coast of the Tohoku Region, spanning Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Long popular for its natural beauty, much of the coastline is protected as part of Sanriku Recovery National Park.

The Sanriku Coast has repeatedly been struck by large tsunami. On March 11, 2011, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Japan triggered a huge tsunami that hit the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan and was particularly destructive along the Sanriku Coast. Around 20,000 lives were lost, and tens of thousands of buildings were washed away. Many cities along the coast lost entire districts, while several town and village centers were almost completely destroyed.

Since then, recovery and reconstruction have come a long way. Town centers have been rebuilt, while some coastal districts are no longer used for housing. Many tourist attractions reopened in the years following the disaster, and museums, memorials and preserved ruins now help keep its memory alive and pass on the lessons learned.