Karakuwa Town, Kesennuma City is a small town located on a peninsula in the northern part of Miyagi Prefecture. It has a population of approximately 6,000 and an area of 42 km2. From the
dynamic ria coast to the scenery of the Sanriku Geopark, and seasonal flora, there is much to enjoy. The Olle trail goes from the Karakuwa Peninsula Visitor Center at the tip of the peninsula to Ogama Hanzo, a famous landmark in the Sanriku Fukko National Park. As you begin your hike along the coast, you can see giant stones that were ripped from the sea floor and cast ashore by the 2011 tsunami.
A special feature of this area, which on average has experienced a tsunami every 37 years, is a strong disaster warning system and disaster preparedness education. People here chose to live as one with the sea through the generations despite suffering from tsunami and have learned from painful experience that “you cannot defy nature.” As you walk along this trail you can begin to understand the distinct culture of this place whose inhabitants live both in fear of nature and as one with the sea. The trail passes by a number of shrines that were part of pilgrimage paths to pray for safety related to the sea, and the town is dotted with more than 70 such shrines. This Olle connects with a pilgrimage route where wives prayed for the safety of their husbands away at sea, and also with a path used in daily life. This is a special trail course where you can experience the culture and lifestyle of the people of Karakuwa who live in harmony with the sea.
This shrine is within a thick Japanese Bay tree forest. Dating back over 1000 years, it is said to help with romantic relationships and good harvest of fish. Nearby there is a Whale Monument dedicated to a whale worshipped as a divine messenger, where you can feel the depth of the faith of these people of the sea.
A scenic spot at the tip of the peninsula to view the Pacific Ocean. The unique surface of the rock reminiscent of mille-feuille is actually sedimentary rock which dates back some 250 million years, and this area has been designated as one of Japan’s top 100 geological features and the highlight of the Sanriku Geopark.
These giant stones were unearthed from the sea floor and cast ashore on March 11, 2011 by the tsunami. The largest of these stones has a diameter of about 6 meters and estimated weight of 150 tons. You can feel the terrible force of the tsunami here.
Local residents labored to revive this ancient path for the Olle. It was named after a Christian missionary named “Yaemon” who lived nearby a long time ago.
In Karakuwa there are more than 20,000 tsubaki (camellia) trees. In March- April the red flowers make it a flower tunnel and flower path.
This majestic style of housing built with the trademark of traditional huge tiled hip-and-gable roof structures (which consists of a lower half which slopes on all four sides, and an upper half with two sloped sides and two flat walls) is called a Karakuwa Goten. They were built by fishermen that traveled through the world's seas and competitively built these houses when they returned.
Choose the A Trail, which consists of a walk down a nature trail and the deeply-indented Rias coastline, or the B Trail where you can stop by at cafeterias and shops along the way.
As is typical for ria coastal areas like the Karakuwa Peninsula, there is a range of inlets large and small which locals use as harbors for fishing. The harbor is also known for its beautiful pebbles on the beach.
This is the scenic gem of the Sanriku Fukko National Park. This stone column rises 16 meter out of the open ocean. In 1896 it was damaged by a large tsunami which broke off the tip, giving it its current name, Oreishi (“broken stone”). There is a similar stone on the Jeju Olle’s 7th course called “Oedolgae Rock.”
This beautiful stretch of coastline is known for “Day lilies” and “Nippon daisies” which bloom in between these unusual stones. It is an ideal place to watch the sun rise over the horizon.
Rias Karakuwa Youth Hostel
Room Only: ¥4,000, With breakfast: ¥4,760,
With breakfast and dinner: ¥6,000
Karakuwa Goten Tsunakan
Room Only: ¥6,730, With breakfast: ¥7,840,
With breakfast and dinner: ¥11,250
Sakaya Minshuku
Room Only: ¥5,000, With breakfast: ¥6,100~
With breakfast and dinner: ¥10,500~
Hamanasu Minshuku
Room Only: ¥5,500, With breakfast: ¥6,500,
With breakfast and dinner: ¥9,000~
Nagisa Minshuku
Room Only: ¥4,400, With breakfast: ¥6,930,
With breakfast and dinner: ¥8,580~
Sunago Minshuku
Room Only: ¥5,000
With breakfast and dinner: ¥8,250
Funado Minshuku
Room only, breakfast negotiable
With breakfast and dinner: ¥7,150~
Horishin Minshuku
With breakfast and dinner: ¥7,000~
※Accommodations and meals all require reservations
※All prices listed are tax-included.
※Please check with each facility for the availability of courtesy shuttle service
※This information is current as of November 2023.Please contact each facility for more information.
Marusan
Hours Lunch: 11:00-14:00, Dinner: 17:00-21:00
Closed Irregular days
Sushi set
Wakaba zushi
Hours Lunch: 11:00-14:00, Dinner: 17:00-22:00
Closed Irregular days
Nigiri sushi
Coffee Shop GIGI
Hours 11:30-21:30 Closed Irregular days
Hamburg steak set
Isaribi Godai
Hours 11:00-14:00(L.O13:45)
Closed Thursdays
Miso ramen
Karakuwa Banya Oyster Shack
Hours 11:00-15:00
Oyster, scallop set
Open Oct-May (Sat, Sun & National Holidays only) Reservation required
Wasou Konpeki
Open 11:30-17:00
Closed: Weekdays (Open Saturdays, Sundays and National holidays)
Seasonal creative dishes, doughnuts, and more
Café Printemps
Hours 11:00-17:00
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
Hoya (sea pineapple) and wakame seaweed spaghetti
Hanzo Resthouse
Open 11:00-16:00 Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Mulberry tea soft serve ice cream
※All prices listed are tax-included
※This information is current as of November 2023.Please contact each facility for more information.
Exhibits related to nature, people on the Karakuwa Peninsula, and past tsunamis. Gift shop with local products.
Karakuwa oysters are nourished by nutrients from the forests that flow into the sea. They are carefully cultivated in this rich natural environment and are known for their large size and rich flavor. From the Karakuwa Banya Oyster Shack you can observe floating oyster farms as you enjoy steamed oysters. (Open October-May on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays. Reservations required: 080-8205-4186)
Jams and teas using Okarakuwa berries are popular gifts known for their properties which promote health and beauty. (Okarakuwa Cultivators Appreciation Society)
Kesennuma City is located in the northeastern part of Miyagi Prefecture, and is a hub for transportation and industry. It is known for its fishing ports and beautiful coastal scenery. It is famous for its production of high-end ingredients including shark-fin, found in shark-fin sushi, soup and even ramen. In addition, you can watch fish auctions of swordfish, tuna, shark, bonito, saury, pacific sunfish, salmon, flounder and cod at the Kesennuma Fish Market.
Shark heart
The ultimate delicacy; the heart from the salmon shark. Fresh from the ocean, tasting it as sashimi is an experience that can only be enjoyed in Kesennuma. It is said to be similar in taste to sashimi liver.
Hoya (sea pineapple)
The inspiration for Kesennuma’s adorable mascot, Hoya Boya. Kesennuma is well-known as one of Japan’s main hoya producers. Try the taste of a fresh hoya while you are here.
This is one of just 13 ports in Japan designated as category 3 (large). Each day brings a new haul of fresh seasonal catch from the Sanriku fishing grounds, one of top three most productive in the world. Not limited to local fisheries, this port is home to oceanic fishing vessels which bring in some of the country’s largest catches of bonito, saury, swordfish, shark and more. The second floor has a 354-meter-long observation deck, among the largest in Japan, giving visitors the perfect vantage point to watch the lively auction take place below in the early morning. Bidding begins at about 7 a.m., and the scene of fish arranged for sale is a remarkable sight.
Fishing Season for Primary Fish
Bonito (June-November), saury (September-December), tuna ((year-round), swordfish (year-round), shark (year-round)
Adjacent to Kesennuma Fish Market is a building called “Kesennuma Umi no Ichi”, a good sightseeing spot with all the favorite local products on offer. On the first floor are fish, shellfish and processed seafood from Kesennuma Port as well as restaurants. The second floor has a tourism information center as well as Japan’s only shark museum. At the Kesennuma Tourism & Convention Bureau you can get information about what to see in the city, where to eat and where to stay. The Kesennuma Shark Museum has life-sized shark models and exhibits to help you easily understand their unusual biology. Surprises and wonder await at this museum which can only be found in Kesennuma, the capital of shark fishing.
Kesennuma City Tourism Association Karakuwa Branch(at the Karakuwa Peninsula Visitor Center) TEL 0226-32-3029