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I wasn’t a giant anime fan in my childhood. “Pokemon” occurred after I used to be too outdated for it, and my life previous to that was too…properly, white to have been uncovered to Japanese animation.
I point out this as a result of as I sat inside Ishinomaki’s Ishinomori Manga Museum watching a brief movie created by its namesake artist, I did ponder whether a extra seasoned fanatic of the artwork type may’ve been acquainted with his work. I used to be transfixed totally on how he depicted his house metropolis within the cartoon.
is Ishinomaki price visiting throughout your Sanriku journey? Sure, although as unusual as I really feel saying it now, I’m unsure if it will’ve come collectively had I not seen it by the eyes of Shotaro Ishinomori.
Why I Went to Ishinomaki—and Why I Went Again
The primary time I “visited” Ishinomaki was not a lot of a go to in any respect. Moderately than planning out an Ishinomaki itinerary, I merely stopped right here en path to Cat Island. Again then, the port space was nonetheless fairly devastated from the tsunami; it had an nearly apocalyptic really feel. One thing in regards to the expertise planted a seed in me, nevertheless—I knew there was one thing to be found right here.
I’d slotted a few nights right here on the finish of my latest Sanriku street journey, however it wasn’t till I obtained right here that I spotted what nice foresight I’d had. At one of many numerous tsunami museums I visited, a placard defined how Ishinomaki had been a “completely good city” earlier than the wave. Though I’m not blind to what they wished to convey by stating that, I really really feel that it nonetheless describes town completely.
My Favourite Issues to Do in Ishinomaki
Go to Ishinomori Manga Museum
Though I wasn’t as geared up to get pleasure from it as a bonafide fan of anime or manga may’ve been, I positively nonetheless loved the Ishinomori Manga Museum. The construction itself is a defining a part of the Ishinomaki cityscape, to say nothing of how in depth and detail-oriented the gathering inside is. Plus, as I discussed within the intro, the movie I watched right here actually set the tone of my Ishinomaki journey.
Scale Hiroriyama
One other unforgettable a part of my Ishinomaki journey? Following my instincts and climbing as much as the stone torii that towers above the flat components of town. Whereas I want I may’ve seen the view from Hiroriyama earlier than 2011 (and that I’d come as much as see the cherry blossoms right here once I visited in April 2014), it’s nonetheless extraordinarily lovely as we speak.
Lean into tsunami tourism
Among the many sadder locations to go to in and round Ishinomaki are Okawa Elementary Faculty, about an hour down the Kitakami River and Kadonowaki Elementary Faculty, on the town simply reverse Miyagi Tsunami Memorial Museum, proper beneath Hiroriyama. They’re a examine in contrasts: Academics on the former ignored recommendation from authorities and nearly all their college students died; these on the latter listened and lived to inform.
Take a day journey to cat island
Nearly each Ishinomaki journey weblog you discover on-line is definitely centered round visiting Tashirojima. Whereas I discover this place disappointing from a feline perspective—there simply aren’t actually that many cats right here—I do benefit from the pristine pure setting. This was very true the second time I visited, in June 2024, when attractive hollyhocks have been blooming all around the island.
Or the Oshika Peninsula
I can’t lie: I’d’ve loved the Oshika Peninsula much more had its star attraction—the Oshika Whale Land museum—not been closed once I tried to go to it inside posted opening hours. Nonetheless, when you’ve got a rental automotive and some hours to kill whereas in Ishinomaki right here, coming right here (if solely as a tack off to the San Juan Bautista ship) could possibly be a worthwhile endeavor.
The place to Keep in Ishinomaki
Ishinomaki isn’t a preferred in a single day vacation spot, to place it bluntly. Most individuals who do go to town achieve this on a day journey from Sendai, and even when this case it’s usually a procedural cease en path to Tashirojima. Sadly, the resort state of affairs right here very a lot displays this—whereas I like Ishinomaki, and will even come to like it someday, lodging leaves rather a lot to be desired.
After I was searching Ishinomaki inns forward of my very own journey, I had two predominant choices. One was the Lodge Route Inn, a department of one in all Japan’s most acknowledged resort chains. The opposite approach Tama Lodge, a unusual boutique property that appeared beautiful, however hosted too many felines for somebody as allergic as I’m. I additionally thought-about staying at Lodge Taikanso down the coast in Matsushima, however in the end determined in opposition to it.
Different FAQ About Visiting Ishinomaki
What’s Ishinomaki recognized for?
Ishinomaki is thought, no less than amongst foreigners, for being a gateway to the Tashirojima Cat Island. Japanese individuals affiliate Ishinomaki with manga and, extra tragically, with the 2011 tsunami that badly impacted town.
How many individuals died in Ishinomaki?
It’s estimated {that a} whopping 6,000 out of the general 20,000 tsunami victims died in Ishinomaki. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Ishinomaki was one of many worst, if not the worst metropolis affected by the wave, which radically altered its cityscape along with the brutal lack of life it inflicted.
How do I get to Ishinomaki?
The simplest option to attain Ishinomaki, for many vacationers, is to journey the JR Senseki Line from Sendai. This prepare additionally stops in Shiogama and Matsushima, which implies that you would be able to actually make a day of it, whether or not or not you keep the night time in Ishinomaki.
The Backside Line
Is Ishinomaki price visiting? Sure, notably should you can dig under the floor a bit. Whereas I’m unhappy I by no means obtained to go to this metropolis earlier than the tsunami hit, it ended up being one in all my highlights throughout my street journey alongside the Sanriku Coast. Though most vacationers solely cease right here momentarily on their option to Cat Island, I’d recommend exploring extra intently, even should you aren’t in a position to keep in a single day—even should you can merely climb up Hiroriyama and take within the view! Need customized assist getting far off Japan’s crushed path? Rent me to plan your customized Japan itinerary!
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