I at all times regretted not visiting Kesennuma again in June of 2024, after I took my first “large” journey alongside the Sanriku Coast. I’d really deliberate to sleep two nights there, however for causes I can’t bear in mind, I recalibrated my itinerary; Kesennuma disappeared from it fully.
Fortunately for me, no different creator appears to have put town on their journey radar. In truth, throughout my current go to there, I solely noticed one different overseas traveler your entire time.
A part of me need to maintain all my favourite issues to do in Kesennuma to myself—why reveal such a well-kept secret to the world? The opposite a part of me, nevertheless, desires you to really feel every part I did as I explored this underrated gem for the primary time.
The place to Keep in Kesennuma
As you would possibly guess, amount tends to be the principle subject in terms of Kesennuma resorts, although high quality generally is a downside as nicely. After I first thought I’d keep there, I’d been planning to remain at Lodge Route Inn Kesennuma Chuo Inter. Like different Route Inn properties, this lodge wins for ample parking, a location a bit outdoors of city (making it deal for people who find themselves self-driving) and free breakfast.
After I plotted my return journey, I knew I wished to remain someplace “higher.” Whereas nowhere on the extent of the Jodogahama Park Lodge (additional north in Miyako) exists in Kesennuma, I wished a spot as much like it as potential. If that is the state of affairs that you end up in, I extremely suggest the Kesennuma Plaza Lodge, whose out of doors onsen affords views which can be well worth the worth of the keep all on their very own.
What to Do in Kesennuma
See all of it from above
If I’m trustworthy, the views of Kesennuma which have left me most fascinated are ones wanting in on town from the ocean, as you see once you’re driving the expressway. Sadly, not less than as of now, I haven’t discovered a spot to security {photograph} these. Fortunately, the angle wanting outward towards the ocean isn’t half-bad; you’re most unlikely be concerned in a crash driving as much as to the Anbasan viewpoint.
Admire the weeping cherry of Denpo-ji
Transferring on in our Kesennuma itinerary, you likewise aren’t more likely to face any mortal problem driving to Denpo-ji, nor as there more likely to be any crowds there, even when its shidarezakura specimen is in full bloom. What you do must be vigilant of, nevertheless, is simply how slim and winding the roads are. I’m not even positive they’re meant for vehicles!
Savor native seafood
Fortunately, when you end at Anbasan and Denpo-ji, you may set your GPS for a spot with an enormous and accommodating parking zone: Kesennuma Metropolis Fish Market. Whether or not or not you go there within the morning (when fish buying and selling takes place), you may have a scrumptious seafood meal. I personally max out at mekajiki (swordfish), although some folks may also eat identical, or shark.
Go to the Shark Museum
Now, I don’t need to decide the folks of Kesennuma too harshly, given how they suffered throughout the 2011 tsunami. I’m not a fan of shark fishing, to be clear; however this business has been disproportionately chargeable for town’s financial restoration. If you wish to study extra about sharks with out contributing on to their slaughter, go to the Shark Museum, which is conveniently in the identical constructing because the Fish Market.
Discover the remainder of the Sanriku Coast
Completed in Kesennuma and misplaced on what to do? In a riveting area just like the Sanriku Coast, this undoubtedly shouldn’t be the case. You may head northward to the beautiful Goishi Coast, and even all the way in which northward to Miyako and Jodogahama Seashore. Or as an alternative go cease, stopping at Ishinomaki (and possibly even taking a ferry over to Tashirojima island) in your manner all the way down to Sendai.
How Lengthy Ought to You Keep in Kesennuma?
Kesennuma isn’t an enormous metropolis, and is a spot you’re unlikely to go to all by itself. Consequently, it’s troublesome to speak in regards to the potential size of an à la carte journey, since this isn’t the format that Kesennuma often takes inside a bigger Japan itinerary. What I’ll do is clarify my very own technique, each the deliberate one on my first journey, in addition to the one I really executed after I lastly made it to Kesennuma.
If you’re together with town as a cease alongside the Sanriku Coast, as I initially deliberate to do, 1-2 nights (with one full day of sightseeing in Kesennuma-proper) might be the right reply to what number of days in Kesennuma you must spend. Alternatively, in the event you’re basing your self elsewhere in Miyagi prefecture (resembling in Ishinomaki and even Sendai), you may merely plan on doing a day journey, which can final as shut to at least one full day as potential.
Different FAQ About Visiting Kesennuma
Is Kesennuma value visiting?
Kesennuma is completely value visiting! It’s a picturesque harbor metropolis with a scrumptious seafood market, beautiful views in all instructions and superb seasonal shows, notably throughout cherry blossom season. On the flip aspect, there merely aren’t that many vacationers right here, even throughout instances of 12 months which can be busy in different locations, so it’s form of an ideal spot.
Why is Kesennuma well-known?
Sadly, most of Kesennuma’s fame (or infamy) outcomes from how badly impacted it was by the 2011 tsunami. It wasn’t extremely popular as a vacation spot even earlier than that, and has struggled to realize again what tourism it had earlier than then. It’s for that this cause that folks right here appear particularly grateful to see new faces, even in the event you don’t communicate a number of Japanese or don’t have a set agenda.
How do I get from Tokyo to Kesennuma?
Probably the most direct solution to get from Tokyo to Kesennuma is to experience a Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Ichinoseki Station, after which get a JR Ofunato Line prepare from there to Kesennuma Station. Within the best-case state of affairs that is a couple of four-hour journey one-way, which implies you’ll need to keep in a single day in the event you’re coming all the way in which from Tokyo.
The Backside Line
On paper, my favourite issues to do in Kesennuma usually are not particularly distinctive. Soak up a view of town from on excessive; have a meal on the seafood market; and, in springtime, get pleasure from some cherry blossoms. The factor about this metropolis is that it’s greater than the sum of its elements. It’s additionally not satisfying solely due to how few overseas vacationers go there, though I can’t faux that this isn’t a contributing issue. Irrespective of why you find yourself heading there, I can’t suggest extremely sufficient that you simply go to Kesennuma in your subsequent journey to Japan’s Sanriku Coast. Want personalised assist integrating it into your journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary as we speak!