Rikuzentakata offers a range of reasons to visit: remembering the tsunami disaster caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, enjoying the coast and nature, and experiencing traditional festivals. When planning your trip, consider whether you would most like to explore the history, go hiking outdoors or plan around a festival date.
Tsunami Remembrance and a Preserved Monument
The 東日本大震災津波伝承館 (Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Memorial Museum) aims to share the facts and lessons of the tsunami disaster caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake with the world and work together to build a society resilient to natural disasters. The museum’s mission connects remembering the event with the question of how societies can respond to natural disasters.
The 奇跡の一本松 (Miracle Pine) was the only tree to survive in the former Takada Matsubara pine grove. It died in 2012 and now stands in the same location as a preserved monument. It offers a tangible, preserved place of remembrance where visitors can learn about the history of the former grove.
You can reach the tree in about ten minutes on foot from 道の駅高田松原 (Michi-no-Eki Takada Matsubara) or the 東日本大震災津波伝承館 (Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Memorial Museum). You can walk right up to the tree and view it there. As access information is important for your visit, check it again before you travel.
Hiking and the Coast on the Hirota Peninsula
The Rikuzentakata route of the Michinoku Coastal Trail offers a way to experience firsthand the recovery following the Great East Japan Earthquake and local industries. On the Hirota Peninsula, the same route offers nature experiences in Sanriku Fukko National Park. The hiking route thus brings together two perspectives: the history of recovery and the nature of the national park.
Hirota Beach, also on the Hirota Peninsula, is known for its clear water and natural landscape. The route and the beach offer different experiences: the route focuses on nature and local livelihoods in the context of recovery, while the beach highlights the coastal scenery. These differences can help you decide whether you’re looking for a hike or time at the beach.
The 陸前高田ハイカーサポーターズ (Rikuzentakata Hiker Supporters) initiative also supports hikers in Rikuzentakata. Local businesses provide toilets, places to refill water and rest areas. This support is intended for hikers and adds practical places to stop to the route information; the facilities mentioned are provided by businesses in Rikuzentakata.
Traditional Festivals Throughout the Year
The けんか七夕 (Kenka Tanabata) is a festival in Rikuzentakata that is said to have been held for several hundred years. It takes place every year on August 7. The うごく七夕まつり (Ugoku Tanabata Festival) is a traditional summer festival in Rikuzentakata that is said to have originally begun as a ceremony to honor ancestors. The two festivals offer different scheduling options: one takes place on the same date each August, while the other is known as a summer festival.
If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates in advance. Along with the memorial sites and nature experiences, the festivals offer further reasons to explore Rikuzentakata according to your interests: history, hiking, coastal scenery or a traditional celebration can each be the focus of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Miyako, Hanamaki, Waga District, Kamaishi, Hachimantai, Tono, Ofunato, Kitakami
For the full travel overview: Iwate Prefecture.
