Minamisanriku (南三陸) is a town located in Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of Japan. It is situated on the eastern coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, and as of May 2023, has a population of approximately 12,000 people.
Like many other towns and cities in the region, Minamisanriku was severely affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The tsunami caused extensive damage to the town, destroying numerous buildings and homes, and tragically resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives. The town’s key industries, such as fishing and tourism, were also severely impacted.
Since the disaster, Minamisanriku has been working tirelessly to rebuild and recover. The town has received support from both the Japanese government and the international community, and has made significant progress in rebuilding infrastructure and revitalizing the economy. However, the road to full recovery is ongoing, and the town continues to face challenges in its efforts.
Getting there
By Train and Bus
From Sendai Station:
- Take JR Tohoku Line to Kogota Station (about 1 hour)
- Transfer to JR Ishinomaki Line to Maeyachi Station (about 30 minutes)
- Take BRT bus to Shizugawa Station in Minamisanriku (about 1 hour)
- Total journey time: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes
By Direct Bus
- From Sendai Station (West Exit, Bus Terminal #40):
- Take Miyagi Kotsu bus directly to Minamisanriku
- Journey time: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Multiple departures daily (e.g. 8:20, 11:25, 14:20, 15:20)
- Get off at Shizugawa Station or Utatsu Masuzawa Station
By Car
- Rent a car from Sendai Station or Sendai Airport
- Take Sanriku Expressway northbound
- Exit at Shizugawa IC
- Journey time from Sendai: About 1.5 hours