Overview:From the Reconstruction Memorial Park in Higashimatsushima, through the memorial hall, Kadonowaki Elementary School and Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki, to the former Onagawa Police Box: a one-day model route along the Miyagi coast.
In Ishinomaki, school buildings bearing the marks of the tsunami and tsunami-triggered fires, and a school where many children lost their lives, have been preserved as disaster ruins. The route runs from Higashimatsushima in the west, through Ishinomaki, to Onagawa, showing how the damage differed from town to town and how each town conveys its story. Okawa Elementary School is also a place of mourning and remembrance.
Route Map
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are estimates from addresses. Please check the official information of each facility before you visit. (OpenStreetMap)
Itinerary
1. Higashimatsushima City Earthquake Reconstruction Memorial Hall
A facility that exhibits records of the disaster and the state of recovery, conveying them to raise disaster prevention awareness. It also aims to mourn the victims and pray for the repose of their souls. It is a converted former JR Nobiru Station building.
Suggested time: 30 minutes to 1 hour. A facility converted from the former Nobiru Station building.
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Every Monday (the next business day if Monday is a public holiday; from April 1, 2026); Dec 29 – Jan 3
▼ About 21 min by car (about 17.9 km; estimate calculated by a map service)
2. Miyagi Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami Memorial Museum
A Miyagi Prefecture memorial facility located within the Ishinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park. It conveys the memory and lessons of the disaster through panels and video. The suggested visit time is 30 to 60 minutes.
Suggested time: 30-60 minutes (suggested visit time).
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed: Every Monday (the following day if Monday is a public holiday); year-end and New Year holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 4). Open on the 11th of every month
▼ Same site / nearby (about 1 min by car; also reachable on foot)
3. Ishinomaki City Disaster Ruins: Kadonowaki Elementary School
Part of the school building bearing the marks of the tsunami and tsunami-triggered fire has been preserved and is viewed from an outdoor walkway. It is said to be the only ruin in Japan that preserves traces of a tsunami fire. An exhibition hall is attached.
Suggested time: About 1 hour. The school building is viewed from an outdoor walkway, and there is also an exhibition hall.
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00; 15:30 from November to January)
Closed: Every Monday (open if Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day); Dec 29 – Jan 3
▼ About 33 min by car (about 25.3 km; estimate calculated by a map service)
4. Ishinomaki City Disaster Ruins: Okawa Elementary School
The school building as it was can be viewed from outside the fence, and there is a flower-offering stand. It is a place of mourning and remembrance, and also a place that conveys the lessons of the disaster. The Okawa Earthquake Memorial Hall is attached on the grounds.
Suggested time: 30 minutes to 1 hour. The school building is viewed from outside the fence. The memorial hall is next door.
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (memorial hall last entry 16:30)
Closed: The ruins are open all year round. The memorial hall is closed every Wednesday (open if Wednesday is a public holiday, closed the following day) and Dec 29 – Jan 3
▼ About 41 min by car (about 23.4 km; estimate calculated by a map service)
5. Former Onagawa Police Box (Great East Japan Earthquake Ruins)
A building regarded as the first case in Japan of a reinforced concrete structure toppled by a tsunami. The town decided to preserve it as a disaster ruin.
Suggested time: 20-30 minutes. It is thought to be an outdoor ruin, but its public viewing hours and other details are unconfirmed.
Hours: Unconfirmed
Closed: Unconfirmed
Before You Go
- The Higashimatsushima hall, the Miyagi Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami Memorial Museum and Kadonowaki Elementary School are closed on Mondays. The Okawa Earthquake Memorial Hall is closed on Wednesdays. We recommend planning for Tuesday or Thursday to Sunday.
- The Ishinomaki Minamihama memorial museum and Kadonowaki Elementary School are about 1 minute apart by car. You can also walk between them.
- The last entry at Kadonowaki Elementary School is at 16:00 (15:30 from November to January). If you change the order of visits, watch the closing times.
- Okawa Elementary School is a place of mourning and remembrance. Please visit with a quiet mind.
Travel times are estimates for driving, calculated with a map service (OSRM / OpenStreetMap), and vary with road and weather conditions. Suggested visit durations are the editors’ estimates. Hours, closing days and fees may change, so please check each facility’s official website before you visit. Many of these facilities are also places of mourning for those who lost their lives.
This article was compiled by the Tohokuru editorial team based on the official pages of each facility and other sources (checked: October 13, 2026). For details on each facility, please see its individual article.