Kesennuma

Understand

Tourist information site The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.

Getting there

By car The nearest expressway to Kesennuma can be found in Ichinoseki, an hour's drive to the east. There are local highways that run north along the coast to Aomori and south toward Ishinomaki. These are rather scenic but are relatively slow, particularly in areas where post-tsunami construction work is heavy.

By train Before the tsunami, there was a train line running up the coast from Sendai. There was also a train line continuing north from Kesennuma. Both were destroyed and have not been replaced. To reach Kesennuma by train, one can take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki, Iwate, and transfer to a local line, which terminates at Kesennuma Station.

1 Kesennuma Station, 5-25. 05:00-20:00. This is the main train station for Kesennuma. There is a small store and sitting area.

By bus Highway buses connect Kesennuma with Sendai and Tokyo. Buses between Sendai and Kesennuma run six times a day. An overnight bus linking Kesennuma and Ikebukuro in Tokyo runs every night. The BRT (bus rapid transit), which replaced the train line running up the coast from Sendai, also connects Kesennuma with Minamisanriku, and Sendai by way of transfer to train lines starting near Ishinomaki.

Getting around

The city operates a circulating bus whose major stops are Kesennuma Station, city hall, Umi no Ichi, the downtown Tanaka-mae area, and the city hospital. It circulates six times a day in each direction. Rides are ¥200 per person (¥100 for children and the handicapped). Several taxi companies also operate in the city.

See

1 Oreishii (in Karakura; northern Kesennuma). This rock brings in tourists from around the country. 2 Shark Museum. A museum showcasing the various kinds of sharks with information about them and their differences. Adjacent to Umi-no Ichi, a shopping/eating complex, which also houses an Ice Aquarium. ¥500. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Ruins of the Great East Japan Earthquake Kesennuma City Memorial Museum. The earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11, 2011 devastated Kesennuma, including a large-scale fire caused by the earthquake. Over 1000 people were killed in the disaster and relief efforts and 212 people remain missing. This museum preserves damaged buildings and rubble untouched from the disaster, along with pictures, videos, and information about what happened in Kesennuma on that day and what has been done since. (updated Oct 2021) 4 Rias Ark Museum of Art. W-Su 09:30-17:00 (Closed M Tu). The museum is half art museum and half local history museum. ¥500. (updated Oct 2021)

Do

Tsubaki Marathon. In the spring, Oshima is home to this marathon which bring in runners of all ages to compete against each other in a race that covers the entire island.

Buy

Umi no Ichi, −, ☏ +81 226-24-5755. 08:00-18:00. Kesennuma's central fish market. Many stores and restaurants are located here, as well as the tourist center and Ice Aquarium. Buy seafood or Kesennuma souvenirs. (updated Sep 2018)

Eat

1 Isaribi Park, 98-18 (near the southern tip of the Karakuwa Peninsula), ☏ +81 226 32-4340. This park has a large restaurant with ramen and other izakaya fare. 2 Ganko Ramen, Matsukawa 406-2 (Next to 7-11 on Highway 284.), ☏ +81 226 23-2461. This small ramen shop sells miso, shio, and shoyu ramen. It also sells gyoza. ¥500-900. 3 Hilltop, − (on the south side of Highway 284 about 20 minutes west of downtown Kesennuma in Ichinoseki; Iwate; but it's very close to Kesennuma), ☏ +81 191-52-5789, fax: +81 191-52-5789, [email protected]. Th-Tu. This is a steak restaurant with an all-you-can-eat soup, salad, and rice bar. The steaks are large, by Japanese standards, and are grilled at your table. ¥1500-2500. 4 Yeti, 20-11 Taya, ☏ +81 226-25-7096. Set meals ¥600-1000.

Drink & nightlife

Anchor Coffee & Bar (Tanaka-mae), −1, ☏ +81 226-24-5955. 09:00-18:00. A cozy coffee shop. ~¥500. (updated Sep 2018)

Sleep

1 Osaki Campground (Osakiyaeijo), (near the southern tip of the Karakuwa Peninsula), ☏ +81 226 32-4000.

Go next

Motoyoshi Minamisanriku Rikuzentakata Ichinoseki Ofunato Tome Ishinomaki Onagawa Kurihara