Let’s go to Sanriku Special feature – Otsuchi/Kamaishi area

Kamaishi City

Coast

Otsuchi Town

Coast

Eight years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The suspended JR Yamada Line (Kamaishi-Miyako) will be restored, and the Sanriku Railway will be connected as the Rias Line.
Why not take a trip to the charming Sanriku on the Sanriku Railway, the longest third sector railway in Japan with a total length of 163km?
Sobocchi will introduce you to the highlights, focusing on the areas that have just opened!

INDEX

  1. Nearest station: Otsuchi Station
  2. Horai Island (Hyotan Island)
  3. Nearest station: Unosumai Station
  4. miffy street
  5. Rugby World Cup 2019™ Japan Tournament Information

*The contents posted are as of February 19th and 20th, 2019.

Nearest station: Namiita Kaigan Station

Morikamado

A sweet shop only known to those in the know, despite its location being about a 5-minute walk from Namiita Kaigan Station. In addition to Japanese sweets such as fresh sweets and dried sweets, which are essential at tea ceremonies, we also sell Western sweets such as cakes and pudding.
At the back of the store, which has a calm atmosphere, there is a Japanese-style room with a hearth and a private room with table seating, where you can choose your favorite sweets and enjoy them on the spot. There is hot water boiling in an iron kettle on the hearth, and after the second cup, you are free to drink tea as you like. It was a relaxing space that made you feel like you could linger for a long time.

① I got a little lost, but this signboard along the road was my guide.
② Morikamado is located on a hill, and on clear days you can see the ocean.

③ Unlike the bright exterior, the interior has a calm atmosphere.

④ A room like a tea room with a hearth.

⑤ I received a sweet called “Spring Banquet”.

⑥ Morikamado’s original “Rugby Manju”. The box is cute too!

Morikamado

Address
11-10-1 Kirikiri, Otsuchi-machi, Kamimei-gun
Inquiries
0193-44-3926
Access
Approximately 5 minutes walk from Namiita Kaigan Station
Business Hours
9:00~19:00
Closed: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month

Nearest station: Otsuchi Station

The design of Otsuchi Station’s new station building is symbolized by its gourd-shaped roof. The design was chosen by public vote from among three designs. This is inspired by Otsuchi Town’s symbol, Hyotan Island (Hourai Island), and has a cute and friendly appearance. There are also puppets of characters that appear in the “Hyokkori Hyotan Island” puppet show inside the station building. There is also a tourist information center, so please feel free to ask us about your trip.

Otsuchi Station

Contact: 0193-62-8900

[Sanriku Railway]

https://www.sanrikutetsudou.com/

Otsuchi Town Cultural Exchange Center “Oshacchi”

A facility equipped with a library, multipurpose hall, etc. It was named “Oshachi” after the former name of the place where the town library and other facilities were located before the earthquake, “Oshachi.” The Earthquake Tradition Exhibition Room on the second floor displays photos and videos of what the town was like at the time of the earthquake, so that people do not forget the earthquake, and are working to disseminate and pass on information to the next generation.

Otsuchi Town Cultural Exchange Center “Oshacchi”

Address
1-15 Suehiro-cho, Otsuchi-cho, Kamimei-gun
Inquiries
Oshacchi 0193-27-5181, Library 0193-42-7226
Access
About 5 minutes walk from Otsuchi Station
Business Hours
1-2F 9:00-22:00, 3F Library 10:00-18:00 *Until 19:00 on Fridays (excluding holidays)
Closed: All buildings closed on Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a public holiday, the following weekday will be closed), year-end and New Year holidays 12/28 - 1/4
3F Library: Library rearrangement date: 3rd Thursday of every month (open on holidays), special rearrangement period approximately 5 days a year *Please inquire

Horai Island (Hyotan Island)

A small gourd-shaped island floating in Otsuchi Bay. It is said to be the model for the puppet show “Hyokkori Hyoutanjima” written by Hisashi Inoue, and has become a symbol of Otsuchi Town.

Address
Akahama, Otsuchi-machi, Kamimei-gun
Inquiries
0193-42-8725 (Otsuchi Town Industrial Promotion Department Commerce and Tourism Division)
Access
Approximately 20 minutes by Otsuchi townsman bus from Otsuchi Station Approximately 10 minutes' walk from Old Akahama Elementary School bus stop

Nearest station: Unosumai Station

The station building has a staggered opening inspired by a rugby scrum, and a design inspired by the sandy beaches of the ocean.

Unosumai Station

Contact: 0193-62-8900

[Sanriku Railway]

https://www.sanrikutetsudou.com/

Unosumai Tomos area in front of Unosumai Station

The entire area in front of Unosumai Station, which is currently under construction, is nicknamed “Unosumai Tomos.”
In addition to the “Unosato Community Center” and “Tsunami Tradition Facility (nickname: Life Connecting Future Hall)” which will be completed in March, the Kamaishi Prayer Park and Civic Gymnasium are scheduled to be completed in April.
The Unosato Exchange Center also sells specialty products and has restaurants.

Scheduled to open in March
Access: Approximately 2 minutes walk from Unosumai Station

Miraikan Connecting Lives

Location: 6-2, Unosumai-cho 16, Kamaishi City

Contact: 0193-27-5666

Unosato Exchange Center

Location: 72-1, Unosumai-cho 16, Kamaishi City

Nearest station: Kamaishi Station

Kamaishi Uogashi Nigiwaikan “Uogashi Terrace”

“Kamaishi Uogashi Nigiwaikan/Uogashi Terrace” is scheduled to open in April in the Uogashi district facing Kamaishi Port.
There will be an exhibition and introduction of Kamaishi City’s intangible cultural property, Toramai, local seafood and specialty products, as well as a restaurant and kitchen studio where you can eat while looking out at the sea.

Scheduled to open in April

Address: 3-3 Uogashi, Kamaishi City

Access: 25 minutes walk from Kamaishi Station

Contact: 0193-27-5566 (representative)

miffy cafe kamaishi

Miffy is an adorable rabbit character created in a picture book by Dutch picture book author and graphic designer Dick Bruna. Many picture books have been published in Japan, and I’m sure you’ve all seen them at least once.
The cafe opened in December 2015 on the 1st floor of the Kamaishi Information Exchange Center. The colorful, urban-style glass entrance catches the eye, and when you open the door, you’ll be greeted by a space that feels like you’ve stepped into a Miffy picture book, with lots of picture books and stuffed animals to greet you. .

① We have arrived at Miffy Cafe!

②Colorful entrance
③You can read picture books freely in the store.

④Most of the menu items are decorated with Miffy, and when they are brought to you, you will automatically smile and say, “So cute!” It would be a waste to eat it.

⑤Strawberry parfait. The Miffy part on the parfait is made of white chocolate, and it has layers of ice cream, sherbet, and crushed jelly, so you can enjoy a variety of flavors.
⑥Miffy Latte! I can’t really talk about it because I don’t want to ruin the picture.

⑦ No matter where you take the photo, it will be a wonderful and cute photo.

⑧We also sell goods such as lunch boxes and tableware, as well as Miffy Cafe Kamaishi original goods.

⑨The Kamaishi Information Exchange Center, where the cafe is located, also displays rugby-related materials and sells goods.
⑩ Kamaishi limited “Lugger Miffy” stuffed animals are especially popular!

 

miffy cafe kamaishi

Address
Kamaishi Information Exchange Center, 1-1-10 Omachi, Kamaishi City
Inquiries
0193-55-6707
Access
Approximately 15 minutes walk from Kamaishi Station
Business Hours
Weekdays 11:00-16:00 (LO 15:45)
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11:00-17:00 (LO 16:45)
Closed: Wednesdays and third Thursdays of the month

miffy street

① There is a book-shaped information board in front of Kamaishi Station, and there are Miffy plates along the approximately 1.5 km section connecting Kamaishi Station, the Uogashi area, and the cafe.
②The manhole in front of Miffy Cafe Kamaishi was also decorated with Miffy.

Japanese meal Miyagawa

A Japanese restaurant with a focus on seafood, located on the second floor of the Sunfish Kamaishi market in front of Kamaishi Station. Due to its proximity to the station, this popular restaurant is often full during lunchtime.
The interior of the store is made in a pure Japanese style and has a calm atmosphere that will make you forget the bustle of the market.

① “Japanese Zen Miyagawa” boasts a seafood menu

②The owner, Mr. Miyagawa, is very particular about the ingredients he uses.

③ Full of seafood!
④Rose chirashi sushi

⑤Chawanmushi is also delicious

Another option I requested was the “Seafood Bowl” if I wanted to enjoy the uniqueness of Sanriku Kamaishi. 2,400 yen (excluding tax) includes chawanmushi, small side dish, miso soup, and pickled vegetables.
In addition to tuna (medium fatty and lean) delivered directly from the boat in Kamaishi, there is plenty of amberjack, swordfish, black sea bream, shrimp, salmon roe, and more on top of the rice! You will be mesmerized by the sparkling salmon roe, the beauty of the sashimi cut, and the balance of the presentation.

*Although we mainly use local ingredients, the ingredients may change depending on purchasing conditions.

⑥Seafood bowl

⑦ Beautiful presentation

⑧You can enjoy the taste of each ingredient

Japanese meal Miyagawa

Address
Sunfish Kamaishi 2F, 2-1 Suzukocho, Kamaishi City
Inquiries
0193-22-1234
Access
About 3 minutes walk from Kamaishi Station
Business Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday Lunch 11:30-14:30 (LO 14:00)
Dinner 18:00-22:00 (LO.21:00)
Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays. Temporarily closed for dinner.

Kamaishi Bay City Hotel
Dining restaurant La Pietra

La Pietra, a dining restaurant located on the second floor of the Kamaishi Bay City Hotel located in Omachi, the downtown area of ​​Kamaishi City, is a popular restaurant among a wide range of age groups with a diverse menu ranging from creative Italian cuisine to Japanese-Western cuisine.
The bright and spacious interior has box seats and sofa seats, making it suitable for both small and large groups. We also accommodate various parties such as welcome and farewell parties.
This time, we ordered the “Santetsu Lunch Plate,” a menu created in honor of the bustling opening of the Sanriku Railway Rias Line, and two types of Japanese dishes made with local seafood that are a must-try when visiting Kamaishi.

① “Sanriku Kamaishi Zen” (1,350 yen excluding tax), which mainly consists of tempura, local seafood carpaccio, steamed egg custard, and a small side dish, is not only delicious with crispy tempura, but the carpaccio sashimi is thick and delicious. It is a luxurious dish with a good taste and a refreshing sour sauce.

② “Barachirashi sushi” made with seafood from Sanriku at an affordable price, also comes with chawanmushi, small side dish, miso soup, etc.

③ “Santetsu Lunch Plate” (1,250 yen excluding tax) is a kids’ lunch that even adults will want to try! This menu is like a dream come true! A large plate of omelet rice, Napolitan, hamburger steak, fried chicken, and salad is brought to you.

If you order a plate of Santetsu lunch, you will receive a “Santetsu postcard”!
In addition, two new types of “Sava canned pasta” will be introduced as part of the earthquake recovery support menu. (Limited quantity)
For more information, please check our homepage or Twitter .

 

Kamaishi Bay City Hotel Dining Restaurant La Pietra

Address
1-8-1 Omachi, Kamaishi City
Inquiries
0193-22-6611
Access
Approximately 15 minutes walk from Kamaishi Station
Business Hours
Lunch 11:30 - 15:00 (LO 14:00) / Dinner 17:00 - 21:00 (LO 20:00)
Closed: Sundays and Thursdays (open for lunch only on Thursdays)

Rugby World Cup 2019™ Japan Tournament Information

The Rugby World Cup 2019™, one of the world’s three major sports, will be held in Japan from Friday, September 20, 2019 to Saturday, November 2, 2019.
In Kamaishi City, two games will be held at the Kamaishi Unosumai Fukko Stadium, which was completed in August 2018.
Many people from Japan and abroad visit Iwate Prefecture and Kamaishi City.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 14:15 Kickoff

Fiji v Uruguay

October 13, 2019 (Sunday) 12:15 kickoff

Namibia v Canada

For more information, please click here.

Iwate/Kamaishi rugby information

https://www.city.kamaishi.iwate.jp/docs/2020041000034/

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