Ishinomaki's Journey to Recovery
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Port
Ishinomaki, Japan
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$340
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Ishinomaki is a 1,700-year-old city situated at the head of Ishinomaki Bay. It was a rice shipping port during the Edo period and had success as a center for commercial fishing until 2011. In 2011, when the great East Japan earthquake hit, the deadly and powerful resulting Tsunami destroyed most of the city. In the years since, the city and community have made great strides in recovery and are now ready to welcome visitors.
Drive to the local memorial hall where locals will describe the events of the day of the Tsunami and the long road to rebuild. Then, walk with a Japanese speaking “katatibe” storyteller guide, a former resident of the area that will show you where they used to live and share firsthand stories about that fateful day.
Enjoy lunch at local restaurant that has been passed down through generations before walking around the town with a digital device that illustrates what the town looked like prior to the tsunami compared to the scene in front of you today.
Following this insightful visit, drive back to the pier.
Please note:
Participants must negotiate stairs and/or uneven surfaces and is therefore not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Wear comfortable walking shoes. You must remove your shoes at one or more location(s). Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring a hat. Contents of tour might be changed depends on city's recovery process. Bring local currency (yen) for purchases as few stores accept credit cards. Many of the local residents you will meet will not speak English or have very limited English. An English-speaking guide will be along to translate. Traffic can be unpredictable, especially during public holidays. The driver will do his/her best to keep moving safely. Your patience is greatly appreciated. Delays occasionally extend tour duration.