Kesennuma City Memorial Museum

The Kesennuma City Memorial Museum (気仙沼市東日本大震災遺構・伝承館) is a museum located in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the city, with a particular focus on the impact of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

The museum features a wide range of exhibits and displays, including photographs, artifacts, and multimedia presentations. Visitors can learn about the history and culture of Kesennuma City, particularly its prosperous fishing industry, as well as the events surrounding the 2011 disaster and the ongoing recovery efforts.

One of the main attractions of the Kesennuma City Memorial Museum is the 3D diorama of the city, which offers a unique perspective on the impact of the tsunami. The diorama features detailed models of the city before and after the disaster, as well as multimedia displays that provide context and information about the events of March 11, 2011.

The museum also preserves the former Kesennuma Koyo High School building as a disaster memorial. Visitors can see the actual school building with the scars of the tsunami, serving as a stark reminder of the disaster’s impact.

Another highlight of the museum is the Memorial Room, dedicated to the victims of the tsunami. The room features photographs and personal belongings of the victims, as well as a wall of origami cranes, which are a symbol of hope and recovery in Japanese culture.

Getting there

By Train and Taxi

• Take a train to JR Rikuzen-Hashikami Station
• From the station, it’s about a 3-minute taxi ride to the museum

On Foot

• It’s about a 20-minute walk from JR Rikuzen-Hashikami Station

By Car

• About 3 minutes from JR Rikuzen-Hashikami Station
• Parking is available at the museum

Details

Hours	April to September / 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM October to March / 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM Reception closes 1hour before closing time. Closed on Mondays.
Admission	General: 600 yen High school students: 400 yen Elementary school and junior high school students: 300 yen
Phone	+81 226-28-9671
Address	9-1 Hajikamisemukai, Kesennuma, Miyagi 988-0246