Sanriku Fukko National Park Bounties and Threats of Nature; People’s Lives and Culture

Bounties and Threats of Nature; People’s Lives and Culture Sanriku Fukko National Park

The park lies along the Pacific coastline from Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture to Iwate Prefecture and on down to Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture. The park houses a long range of magnificent sea cliffs created by waves in the north, whereas in the south an intricate ria coastline tempers waves and winds, creating a graceful scenery. The sea along the park is known as a rich fishing ground where the warm and cold currents merge, bringing delicious fresh seafood to the area. At the same time, the area has historically lived with such natural threats as repeated tsunami and damage from the cold Pacific wind in the summer. Local residents have developed amazing wisdom, techniques and culture through their history to coexist with nature. Visit Sanriku Fukko National Park and experience its beautiful nature, as well as its bounties and rigors, that are truly unique to the park.

Five Areas of Sanriku Fukko National Park

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  • Aomori Prefecture Area
  • Northern Iwate Prefecture Area Kuji, Noda, Fudai and Tanohata areas
  • Central Iwate Prefecture Area Iwaizumi, Miyako and Yamada areas
  • Southern Iwate Prefecture Area Otsuchi, Kamaishi, Ofunato and Rikuzentakata areas
  • Miyagi Prefecture Area

Ways to Enjoy

  • Hiking
  • Ocean cruises
  • Super views
  • Excursions to outlying islands
  • Eco tours and nature experiencing
  • Experiences of natural threats
  • Hotels within the park
  • Camping
  • Sea bathing
  • Visitor Centers

Legend

Hiking

Note: The actual times required for individual courses vary depending on the walking speed and how long one stays at various facilities. The times given below are only for reference.

Tanesashi Coast Nature Trail (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 5.2 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 2 hours

Ashigezaki Viewpoint → Nakasuka→ Osuka Beach → Yodo no Matsubara (Pine Grove) → Tanesashi Natural Lawn

Michinoku Coastal Trail >
Kuji Section

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Northernmost Path Along Rikuchu Coastline (Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 8.6 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 4 hours

Samuraiishi → Kitasamuraihama Campground → Yokonuma Viewpoint → Itsukushima-jinja Shrine

Michinoku Coastal Trail >
Kuji Section

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Path with Full View of Kitayamazaki Cliffs (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 8.6 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 4.5 hours

Kitayamazaki Visitors Center → Unosu Cliff

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Path with Full View of Jodogahama Beach (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 8.4 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 4 hours

Jodogahama Visitor Center → Jodogahama Beach → Shiofuki-ana (Blowhole) → National Park Resort Rikuchu-Miyako

Michinoku Coastal Trail >
North to Central Miyako Section

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Path to Goishi Coast (Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 4.8 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 2 hours

Anatoshi-iso Rocks → Akadokura → Goishi Coast Campground → Kaminari-iwa Rock, Ranboya → Goishi Beach → Goishi Coast Parking Lot

Michinoku Coastal Trail >
Central to South Ofunato Section

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Path to Kurosaki Senkyo (Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 4.4 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 2 hours

Mutsugaura Fishing Port → Koiwaihama → Oiwaihama → Kurosaki Senkyo → Kurosaki Parking Lot

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Osaki Ogama Hanzo Nature Trail (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 8.0 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 4 hours

Karakuwa Peninsula Visitor Center → Osakimisaki → Tsunami-ishi Rocks → Hanzo → Ogama

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Mt. Tatsugane Gyoja’s (Ascetic Monks’) Path (Minami Sanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture)

Total distance: Approx. 2.2 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 1 hours

Hinokuchi → Kumodaki → Mountaintop → Hinokuchi

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Ocean cruises

Kitayamazaki Sappa (Small Flat-bottomed) Boat Adventure (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)

Hours 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Reservation required)
Closed -
Address 142-3 Tsukue, Tanohata Village, Shimohei-gun, Iwate
Phone 0194-37-1211 (Experience Village, Tanohata Network)
FAX -
Website Experience Village, Tanohata Network

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Kitayamazaki Cruise (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)

Hours 9:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Four services a day
Closed Late Nov – early Apr
Address 104-3 Shimakoshi, Tanohata Village, Shimohei-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Phone 0194-33-2113(Rikuchu Tanohata Company)
FAX 0194-33-3260
Website Hotel Raga-so

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Sappa Boat Cruise to Blue Grotto, Jodogahama Beach (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)

Hours 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Dec- Feb
Address 32-4 Hitachihamacho, Miyako City, Iwate
Phone 0193-63-1327 (Jodogahama Marine House)
FAX 0193-62-1280
Website Jodogahama Marine House

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Jodogahama Cruise (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)

Hours 8:40 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Closed Late Nov – early May
Address 32-69 Hitachihamacho, Miyako City, Iwate
Phone 0193-62-3350
FAX 0193-63-8979
Website Miyako Jodogahama Cruise

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Goishi Coast Anatoshi Boat Trip (Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture)

Hours Summer 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Winter 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(Reservation required)
Closed Dec- Apr
Address Ohama, Massakicho, Ofunato City, Iwate, Ebisuhama Cruise Gateway
Phone 0192-29-2359 (Goishi Coast Information Center)
FAX -
Website Ofunato City Tourism and Local Products Association

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Superb Views

  • Kabushima
    (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)

    Kabushima

  • Ashigezaki Viewpoint
    (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)

    Ashigezaki Park

  • Tanesashi Coast Natural Lawn
    (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)

    Tanesashi Coast

  • Kitasamuraihama
    (Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture)

    Kitasamuraihama

  • Kurosaki
    (Fudai Village, Iwate Prefecture)

    Kitasamuraihama

  • Kitayamazaki Cliffs
    (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)

    Kitayamazaki

  • Unosu Cliff
    (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)

    Unosu

  • Kumanohana
    (Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture)

    Unosu

  • Sanno-iwa Rocks
    (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)

    Unosu

  • Jodogahama Beach
    (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)

    Jodogahama

  • Goishi Coast
    (Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture)

    Goishi Coast

  • Kurosaki Senkyo
    (Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture)

    Kurosaki Senkyo

  • Ogama Hanzo
    (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)

    Oogama Hanzo

  • Mt. Kameyama
    (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)

    Kameyama
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Excursions to Outlying Islands

  • Kinkasan Island (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)

    Kinkasan Koganeyama-jinja Shrine → Mizu-jinja Shrine → Mountaintop → Kinkasan Koganeyama-jinja Shrine

  • Ajishima Island (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)

    Aji Port → Aji Shirahama Beach → Shima no Gakko → Futawatashi Port

  • Tashirojima Isaland (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)

    Odomari Port → Mitsuishizaki → Nitoda Port

  • Kesennuma Oshima Island (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)

    Kodanohama Beach → Nukubama → Tatsumaizaki Entrance → Tatsumaizaki → Tastumaizaki Entrance

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Eco Tours and Nature Experiences

  • Tanesashi Kaigan Information Center (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)
  • Kitayamazaki Visitor Center (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Jodogahama Visitor Center (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Karakuwa Peninsula Visitor Center/ Experiencing Tsunami House (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)
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Learning About Natural Threats

Tsunami Memorial Park Nakanohama (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)

Shinsai Memorial Park Nakanohama
Address Nakanohama, Sakiyama, Miyako City, Iwate
Website National Park Resort Rikuchu-Miyako Official Website

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Aketohama Great Japan Earthquake Sea Wall Remains (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)

Address Aketo, Tanohata Village, Shimoihei-gun, Iwate
Website Tanohata Village Tourism Top

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Karakuwa Peninsula Visitor Center/Experiencing Tsunami House (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays (If a Tuesday is a national holiday, then the next day)
Address 4-3 Sakihama, Karakuwacho, Kesennuma City, Miyagi
Phone 0226-32-3029
Website Visitor Center & Experiencing Tsunami House | Karakuwacho Tourism Association

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Camping

  • Tanesashi Campground
    (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)
  • Kitasamuraihama Campground
    (Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Noda-tamagawa Campground
    (Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Kurosaki Auto Campground
    (Fudai Village, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Miyako-anegasaki Auto Campground
    (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Aneyoshi Day-Campground
    (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Goishi Coast Campground
    (Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Osaki Campground
    (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)
  • Kesennuma-Ohshima Campground
    (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)
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Sea Bathing

  • Shirahama Beach (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)
  • Kitasamuraihama Seawater Swimming Pool (Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Funado Beach (Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Fudaihama Beach (Fudai Village, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Jodogahama Beach (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Aragami Beach (Yamada Town, Iwate Prefecture)
  • Kodanohama Beach (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)
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Visitor Centers

Tanesashi Kaigan Information Center (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)

Tanesashi Coast Information Center
Hours 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (until 4:00 p.m. in Dec - Mar)
Closed Year-end through New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3)
*Hours: May be closed temporarily on some other days.
Address 14-167 Tanakubo, Samemachi, Hachinohe City, Aomori
Phone 0178-51-8500
Website Tanesashi Kaigan Information Center

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Kitayamazaki Visitor Center (Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture)

Kitayamazaki Visitors Center
Hours 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(until 4:00 p.m. in winter season)
Closed Year-end through New Year
Address 129−10 Kitayama, Tanohata Village, Shimohei-gun, Iwate
Phone 0194-33-3248
Website Experience Village Tanohata Network

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Jodogahama Visitor Center (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture)

Jodogahama Visitors Center
Hours 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Apr - Oct)
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Nov - Mar)
Closed Year-end through New Year
Address 32-69 Hitachihamacho, Miyako City, Iwate
Phone 0193-65-1690
Website Jodogahama Visitor Center | Sanriku Fukko National Park

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Goishi Coast Information Center (Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture)

Goishi Coast Information Center
Hours 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Closed Year-end through New Year
Address Ohama, Massakicho, Ofunato City, Iwate
Phone 0192-29-2359
FAX 0192-29-2359
Website -

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Karakuwa Peninsula Visitor Center/Experiencing Tsunami House (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Karakuwa Peninsula Visitors Center
Hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays
(If a Tuesday is a national holiday, then the next day)
Address 4-3 Sakihama, Karakuwacho, Kesennuma City, Miyagi
Phone 0226-32-3029
Website Visitor Center & Experiencing Tsunami House | Karakuwacho Tourism Association

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National Park Rules and Manners

Rules: Observe them. They are the law in some areas.

  • Leave wild plants and animals alone. Do not take any rocks home.
    If you pick up any plants, animals or rocks, it will not only disturb the natural balance of the local ecosystem but also deprive future visitors of the opportunity to see them.
  • Do not camp or make a bonfire except in designated areas.
    Such acts may destroy natural vegetation, attract wild animals and cause wildfire.
  • Use the facilities with care so that future visitors can use them comfortably.
    Graffiti is a crime (damage to property). 

Manners: Be considerate to nature and other visitors so that everyone can use the National Parks comfortably. 

  • Make a reasonable plan for your visit

    When planning a visit to Sanriku Fukko National Park, do your research beforehand and plan a reasonable itinerary. Then act using your own judgment. When mountain climbing is involved, in particular, be sure to obtain up-to-date information on the weather, access and volcanic activities in advance to prevent any accident.

  • Drive safely

    Hitting a wild animal not only might lead to personal injury or death but would threaten the survival of the wildlife as well. To protect the park’s vegetation and ecosystem, no cars or motorcycles are allowed in some areas. Make sure you know those restrictions in advance.

  • Stick to the trails as you trek

    This will not only prevent you from getting lost but also prevent damage to natural vegetation and soil.
    If you use a trekking pole, cover its tip with a protective cap to prevent it from damaging the trail.

  • Keep a pet under control at all times

    A pet may be a serious threat to the wildlife. For its own safety, too, keep your pet with you and under strict control at all times.

  • Do not feed wild animals

    Feeding wild animals will change their natural behavioral patterns, which in turn can upset the ecosystem balance. Feeding them will also help accustom wild animals to people and encourage them to come close to people, which in turn can cause traffic accidents, injuries and other problems.

  • Take your trash home with you

    This helps protect the park’s pristine condition and scenery, as well as prevent the smell of trash from attracting wild animals.

  • Take care of your toilet needs before taking the trail

    There is no access to a lavatory in some areas. Take care of your toilet needs before you set out or use a portable toilet to prevent human feces and urine from polluting natural water and soil.

  • Smoke only at designated locations

    Do not smoke while walking as it bothers other people. Take your cigarette ash and ends home with you to prevent wildfire.

  • Look up the tide’s ebbs and flow, tide levels, tidal currents and other important points in advance

    To prevent such accidents as becoming swept off by a rip tide or stranded in the rocky shore at high tide, gather pertinent information beforehand when you wish to observe rocky shores or tidal flats.

  • Be considerate to local residents

    The park is important to people’s lives. Do not engage in any acts that may interfere with farming, forestry or fishing. Trespassing, making unusual noise and otherwise inconveniencing local residents are not allowed either.

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Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan (JCN1000012110001)

Tohoku Regional Environment Office

6F, Sendai Joint Government Building No. 2, Honcho 3-2-23, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture 980-0014, Japan

Tel: 022-722-2870 Fax: 022-722-2872
E-mail: REO-TOHOKU@env.go.jp Location

Privacy Policy
Copyright/Link

Copyright Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan. All rights reserved.

Aomori Prefecture

This area contains Tanesashi Coast, from which superb, richly varied views can be seen, as well as Mt. Hashikamidake, views from whose summit are breathtaking. The about 5.2 km course from the Ashigezaki Viewpoint to the Tanesashi Natural Lawn is ideal for hiking, offering a wide diversity of beautiful views from rugged rocky shorelines to pure white sandy beaches to flower fields where beach plants and alpine plants bloom next to one another and pine-covered areas. Also recommended are the experiential programs provided by the Tanesashi Kaigan Information Center and Terashita Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) Temple, known for its mysterious atmosphere.

Northern Iwate Prefecture: Kuji, Noda, Fudai and Tanohata

This area is home to Kuji, known for its traditional “Ama” female divers, the very extensive Tofugaura Beach, a poem about which was included in Manyoshu (Japan’s oldest anthology of tanka poems), and Kitayamazaki known as Japan’s most magnificent cliff. Many different views of the ocean ranging from gentle beaches to precipitous cliffs are truly dramatic. The area is also recommended for those who look for the freshest seafood such as sea urchins, abalones and sea squirts. Enjoy this area by hiking, a tour boat ride or joining an eco tour.

Central Iwate Prefecture: Iwaizumi, Miyako and Yamada

This area features coastal caves, the immense Sanno-iwa Rocks, as well as the soothing Jodogahama Beach, among others. There are also remains of the Great East Japan Earthquake including the Tsunami Memorial Park Nakanohama, allowing visitors to appreciate both the beauty and harshness of nature. Experience the many different faces of nature through hiking, a tour boat ride and sea bathing, as well as visiting spots that tell the formidable force of tsunami.

Southern Iwate Prefecture: Otsuchi, Kamaishi, Ofunato and Rikuzentakata

This area houses the “Path to Kurosaki Senkyo” that runs through dark cliffs exposed to angry waves of the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Goishi Coast, creating a magnificent view located on a cape along the sawtooth coastline accompanied by interesting rock formations, islands and caves. Abalones, scallops and oysters are also superb. Enjoy the area by a tour boat cruise, a tour of places of magnificent views or camping.

Miyagi Prefecture

In this area, you will enjoy a complex sawtooth coastline dotted with islands. Temperatures are relatively high here even in the winter. You may take a boat to one of the islands and just relax, or climb Mt. Kinkasan. Off the Kinkasan Island, the sea is rich with delicious oysters, scallops and sea squirts. Enjoy hiking and appreciate nature through a tour of the islands or sea bathing.