[Sightseeing on the Iwate/Sanriku Railway Rias Line] 25 scenic spots along the line and recommended nearby spots

The Sanriku Railway runs along the Sanriku Coast for approximately 163 km from Mori Station (Ofunato City) to Kuji Station (Kuji City). This local line is affectionately known as ``Santetsu'' by locals. The line is very popular with locals, train enthusiasts, and tourists. One of the reasons for this is the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean from the train window. This time, if you are riding the Sanriku Railway, we will introduce 25 scenic spots and sightseeing spots you should stop by even if you get off the train! In addition to standard sightseeing spots such as Kitayamazaki and Jodogahama, there are plenty of places perfect for buying souvenirs and little-known spots.

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Spectacular view points from the Sanriku Railway train window

[Kunohe District] Akkagawa Bridge

Sanriku Railway's most spectacular view point

The Sanriku Railway Rias Line, a famous local line that runs leisurely along the coast of Iwate, is the third sector railway with the longest route in Japan, connecting approximately 163 km from Mori Station in Ofunato City, Iwate to Kuji Station in Kuji City. The train window from the Yasuegawa Bridge, which spans between Horiuchi Station and Noda-Tamagawa Station, is the most scenic spot on the Sanriku Railway, offering a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Remember to have your camera ready; the vehicles will slow down and stop when passing over the bridge. It is also famous as a bridge where you can see salmon swimming upstream in the fall.

[Shimohei District] Horinai Station

A station that was also a filming location for a popular TV drama.

The station's nickname is "Yoshitsune no Prayer." There is Utori Shrine, which is said to have been built by Yoshitsune to pray for safety at sea and long life in arms. It is also known as the guardian deity of the sea. It is a small, uncrewed station with one platform on a hill and a small waiting room. You can see the fishing port and the Pacific Ocean from the platform in full view. It has been used as a filming location for a popular TV drama, and many people see the spectacular scenery as a tourist destination. The nearby Osawa Bridge and Yasugawa Bridge are perfect for taking photos.

[Shimohei District] Yamada Bay

A spectacular view that makes you want to stop in your tracks

Yamada Bay is located on the northern part of the Sanriku coast. Holland Island, floating in the center of the bay and the mouth of the bay, is highly narrow at approximately 600m and is characterized by the lack of waves and swells. Holland Island is the only uninhabited beach in Tohoku, and in the summer, you can take a cruise boat to the island and enjoy swimming. Outside the swimming season, you can camp on the uninhabited island (reservations required). The view of the gentle waves, Holland Island, the narrow mouth of the bay, and the countless aquaculture rafts that can be seen from Yamada Bay Observation Square along the national highway is spectacular.

[Kamihei District] Namiita Beach

Known as a coast with ``one-sided waves''

Namiita Beach is located within Sanriku Fukko National Park. It is known as a coast with ``one-sided waves,'' which is rare in the world, where there are waves that come in but no waves that return. In Funakoshi Bay, you can see the moment the sun rises over the horizon between Oshima in the north and Nojima in the south during two periods: mid-April and late August. You may see the fantastic ``Asahi no Michi'' if the waves are calm. You can also see the ``Moon Road'' on full moon nights. You can have a peaceful time listening to the sound of the ocean waves.

[Ofunato City] Yoshihama Bay

Spectacular views of the mountains and the sea spread out

Yoshihama Bay is known for producing Yoshihama dried abalone, which has been made since the Edo period and is recognized worldwide, including China. It is a Ria-style coast with a complicated bay, close to the mountains and the sea, and rich in nature with many wild animals. Please take a look at the entire Yoshihama Bay from a distance. You can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the sun rising over the horizon and the setting sun. The fantastic fishing lights floating in Yoshihama Bay at night are also a moving beauty.

Recommended sightseeing spots along the Sanriku Railway

[Kuji City] Roadside Station Lottery Yamase Dofukan

You'll want to stop by to look for souvenirs or eat.

``Yamase Dofukan'' is a complex facility consisting of ``Tsuchi no Yakata'' which houses a product store, and ``Kaze no Yakata'' which is a tourist exchange center and is used by many people as a transportation hub and a lively place for people. It has been. In addition to Kuji's specialty products, you can purchase ornaments made from amber at the Earthen Museum. Enjoy rare facilities like the Showa-era memory museum "Retro-kan." On the other hand, the Kuji Autumn Festival floats on display at the House of Wind are genuinely spectacular. You can also take a commemorative photo wearing the costume of a northernmost ama diver, so why not leave a souvenir of your trip there?

[Kuji City] Tsurigane Cave

A strangely shaped rock with a spectacular view that is only available for a limited time

Tsurigane Cave, a strangely shaped rock formation that stands out on the Kuji Coast, a coastline with Japan's oldest geological strata and cliffs and reefs. It is said that the rock got its name from the fact that there was a large cave inside, and a bell-shaped rock used to hang from the ceiling. For about three weeks around the summer solstice in June every year, many people come to see the sunrise over the horizon through the hole in Tsurigane Cave. The scenery where the morning sun overlaps with the cave is fantastic.

[Kuji City] Kosode Ama Center

Kosode Coast sightseeing base

This is the sightseeing base for the Kosode coast, which is known for the ``Northernmost Ama'' that was once featured in a TV drama. It was renovated in 2015 (Heisei 27) to replace the previous facility that was washed away in the Great East Japan Earthquake. The first floor has a tourist information center and direct-from-farm facilities, and the second and third floors have exhibits introducing the history of the northernmost ama divers. In the summer, you can eat shelled sea urchins and seafood grilled by the divers during free diving demonstrations.

[Kunohe District] Roadside Station Noda (Rikuchu Noda Station)

A wide variety of local specialties that can only be obtained here

Roadside Station Noda, located along National Route 45 in northern Iwate Prefecture, is a combination of Rikuchu Noda Station on the Sanriku Railway/Kita Rias Line, a village bus/citizen bus station, a tourist product center, and a farm-direct facility. It is a roadside station. Inside the station, there is a restaurant that uses ingredients from Noda Village, a product store selling specialty products from Noda Village, and a ``Farm Direct Paapuru'' where you can purchase handmade items grown by local fishermen and farmers. It is a must-see for those who want to choose souvenirs and enjoy dishes made with local ingredients.

[Shimohei District] Kurosaki Lighthouse

A chalk lighthouse on a cliff

Kurosaki Lighthouse stands on a cliff approximately 130 meters high in Sanriku Fukko National Park. Sanriku's blue sea and green nature highlight the beauty of the chalk lighthouse. In 2019 (Reiwa 1), it was certified as a ``Lighthouse of Love,'' considered a sacred place for romance. It attracts attention as a power spot for love and is perfect for a date. Nearby are Kurosaki Observation Deck, where you can see the magnificent Pacific Ocean, the Carillon Bell, which brings happiness, and Kurosakiso, where you can stay overnight or take a day trip to the baths.

[Shimohei District] Kitayamazaki

Impressive cliffs called the ``Alps of the Sea''

``Kitayamazaki'' is a series of cliffs as high as 200m spanning approximately 8km from Kurosaki in Fudai Village in the north to Bentenzaki in Tanohata Village in the south. It is also called the ``Alps of the Sea'' because the impressive, steep rocks are reminiscent of high mountains. The view from the observation deck is breathtaking, but the view from above the sea is also outstanding. You can enjoy exhilarating cruising on a sightseeing boat that circles the area in about 50 minutes or on a small rocky boat called a ``Sappa boat'' operated by a local fisherman.

[Shimohei District] Unosu Cliff

A cliff named after the nest of a sea cormorant

"Unosu Cliff" is located on the south coast of Tanohata and is characterized by an overwhelmingly high cliff. The name comes from the nest of a sea cormorant halfway up the cliff. If you look north from the observation deck about 500 meters from the parking lot, you can see five rows of bow-shaped cliffs about 200 meters high. The scenery changes beautifully depending on the season, with cool green leaves in the summer and bright red leaves in the fall. The sea below is a marine blue with an emerald hue. It attracts travelers with its spectacular view that allows you to see the shore of the white waves.

[Shimohei District] Kumanohana Observation Deck

Enjoy the beautiful contrast between the blue of the sea and the green of the red pine trees

Kumanohana is a peninsula covered with red pines that juts south of the Omoto coast. The name comes from the cape's shape, which resembles a bear's nose. This is one of the best viewpoints in Sanriku Fukko National Park, with the blue sea and old pine trees on both sides of the Ria coastline creating a unique beauty. Another highlight of the Omoto Coast is the triangular Omoto Tatsuko Rock. The observation deck, located about 400m from the parking lot, has a rest area and a public restroom to enjoy the scenery.

[Shimohei District] Ryusendo Cave

A limestone cave with a mysterious world

Ryusendo Cave is considered one of the three major limestone caves in Japan, and in addition to the limestone cave, the bats that live there are also designated as a national natural monument. The cave's total length is currently 4,088m, of which 700m is open to the public. The investigation is still ongoing, and there are many unknowns. The highlight is the underground lake, where you can see three of the eight. The transparent blue mysterious underground lake will take your breath away. Why not stop by for a bit of an adventure?

[Shimohei District] Ryusendo Cave Wakka

Product sales facility adjacent to Ryusendo Cave

Ryusendo Wakka, located in Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei District, is a retail facility adjacent to Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves. They sell souvenirs related to the region, local vegetables, seafood from Sanriku, and Ryusendo Beer, made using water from Ryusendo Cave, famous worldwide for its water. A brewery is also attached to the building, which produces craft beers made with local ingredients such as wild grapes and apples. They actively hold events depending on the season, so stop by when you're in the Ryusendo Cave area.

[Miyako City] Miyako City Fish and Vegetable Market

Pick up souvenirs at a lively market

The Sanriku coast is known as one of Japan's leading fishing grounds, where warm and cold currents collide. Miyako City Fish and Vegetable Market is a place where you can buy seafood and local vegetables caught in the nearby waters. The grounds are lined with about 20 shops, perfect for choosing souvenirs. Another appeal of the market is that you are close to the people in the shops, so if you don't know how to cook at home, you can feel free to ask. Of course, you can also eat fresh ingredients and side dishes on the spot. Enjoy the seasonal flavors of Sanriku at an affordable price!

[Miyako City] Jodogahama Beach

A beach with a beautiful contrast of white, green, and blue

Jodogahama Beach, with its stunning contrast of sharp white rhyolite, lush green pine trees, and marine blue sea, is a scenic spot that represents the Miyako area. It was named after the monk Reikyo of Miyakoyama Joan-ji Temple, who admired it during the Edo period and said, ``It's like the Pure Land of Paradise.'' The waves in the cove are calm, so you can swim in the sea. There is also a rest house where you can eat and shop, so it is a perfect spot for sightseeing. Even in winter, when it's not the season for swimming, it's a spectacular sight. Snow-covered Jodogahama has a different beauty than in summer.

[Miyako City] Honshu’s easternmost monument/Todogasaki

A lighthouse with an unobstructed view of the endless Pacific Ocean

At Todogasaki on the Shigemo Peninsula, the easternmost tip of Honshu, the 33.72m tall Todogasaki Lighthouse, built in 1902 (Meiji 35). The view of the Pacific Ocean from this lighthouse is an endless blue ocean with nothing to obstruct it. You can see the horizon far away and realize the earth is round. Also, you can be the first to see the sunrise over the eastern sea at dawn. The ``Easternmost Monument of Honshu,'' which is built into a natural rock on the rocky area to the south of the lighthouse, is also a must-see.

[Shimohei District] Roadside Station Yamada Oista

"Roadside Station Yamada" reopens after renovation

In July 2023 (Reiwa 5), ​​"Roadside Station Yamada" was relocated to the vicinity of Yamada IC on the Sanriku Coastal Road and reopened. The nickname "Oista" is a combination of the local specialty, oysters, and the meaning of "come on." The store is stocked with local agricultural products and seafood. You can also purchase fresh fish caught on the spot. At the restaurant, we recommend the seafood bowls and sushi made with fresh seafood from Yamada, as well as the ``Oisuta Ramen,'' which includes specialty oysters. There is also a children's playground called Kakikuke Park, so the whole family can have fun together.

[Kamaishi City] Sea Plaza Kamaishi

A product center where you can experience the charm of rugby

Sea Plaza Kamaishi is a local product center located next to Kamaishi Station on the Sanriku Railway Rias Line and is the perfect place to buy souvenirs. There are also restaurants and coffee shops, so it's convenient for lunch or a short break between sightseeing. Kamaishi, which was the only city in Tohoku to host the Rugby World Cup in 2019, is also famous as a ``rugby town.'' For this reason, a ``Rugby Cafe'' has been added to the second floor of the same facility. You can also experience the charm of rugby through match videos, exhibits, and experience corners.

[Kamaishi City] Kamaishi Yakushi Park

A location overlooking the city and Kamaishi Bay

Kamaishi Yakushi Park, a 10-minute walk from Kamaishi Station and known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Kamaishi, is located on a hill with a panoramic view of the city and Kamaishi Bay. During the cherry blossom viewing season, approximately 200 cherry blossom trees bloom in the park, and the Yakushi Park Cherry Blossom Festival is held. The cherry blossoms are also illuminated, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night. There is also a statue of the Goddess of Peace, built to comfort the spirits of war victims and pray for peace, and a monument to Yosuke Takahashi, who contributed to the development of Kamaishi's iron industry.

[Kamaishi City] Kamaishi Daikannon

The great panorama from the observation deck is a must-see

A large Kannon statue with a height of 48.5m that was erected in 1970 by Sekiozenji Temple of the Soto sect. Standing at the tip of the Kamazaki Peninsula, he watches over Kamaishi Bay with a calm expression and a fish in his arms. The interior of the Kannon statue has 13 floors. It continues to the 1st to 3rd floors where the worship hall and 33 Kannon mortuary are located, the 4th to 10th floors where you can tour the womb of the Seven Lucky Gods, and the 12th to 13th floors which are the observatory. The height of the observation deck is 120m above sea level. From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Kamaishi Bay.

[Ofunato City] Sanriku Furusato Products Center

Enjoy the flavors of Sanriku, including fresh seafood and vegetables

If you're looking for seasonal souvenirs from Ofunato, head to the Sanriku Furusato Bussan Center. Here you can purchase seafood such as Sanriku's natural abalone, specialty scallops, seaweed, which boasts the highest production in Japan, sea urchin, and salmon roe. In addition, freshly harvested vegetables and wild plants from local farmers, as well as famous sweets from the Sanriku area, are also on display at the store. Also, pay attention to the attached restaurant. You can enjoy the flavors of Sanriku, such as the signature dish ``Hamadokodon'', which is loaded with raw sea urchin and scallops, and the most popular ``Seafood set meal''.

[Ofunato City] Roadside Station Sanriku

Rich in seafood and processed seafood products

``Roadside Station Sanriku'' has a wide selection of processed seafood and seafood such as abalone, sea urchin, and scallops caught off the coast of Sanriku. It is located along National Route 45, and the Sanriku Furusato Bussan Center is located on the premises. Inside the restaurant, you can enjoy dishes full of seafood from Sanriku, as well as Japan's first persimmon soft-serve ice cream and premium fresh soft-serve ice cream made with the specialty Koeda persimmon. We also have an online shop, so be sure to check out our recommended products.

[Ofunato City] Sanriku Railway Rias Line (Koshihama Station)

A station known as a power spot for love

The Sanriku Railway Rias Line opened in March 2019 (Heisei 31), and an increasing number of travelers are traveling on the Sanriku Railway, captivated by the train's retro atmosphere and the scenery from the train windows. Among them, Koishihama Station is attracting attention as a power spot for love. The ``Bell of Happiness'' installed on the platform, which is said to bring fulfillment in love when rung, and the scene where wishes are hung in the waiting room using votive tablets made from ``Koshihama Scallop'' shells are some of the famous features of this station. there is. Also, since it is located on a hill, the view overlooking the sea is outstanding. If you want to take photogenic photos, don't forget your camera!

Conclusion

Speaking of the Sanriku region, the scenery is the majestic Pacific Ocean, and the food is seafood from the Sanriku coast, grown in the tidal waters where warm and cold currents meet. However, both scenery and food can only be seen in certain places, and there are local dishes that can only be eaten in that place, so it is impossible to generalize. If you find a place in this article that piques your interest, such as ``There's some food or seafood you're interested in,'' or ``I want to see this scenery with my own eyes,'' be sure to visit it.