Sanriku Coast — Dramatic Cliffs & Tsunami Recovery

The Sanriku Coast is a 250km stretch of dramatic Pacific coastline running through Iwate Prefecture, characterized by steep cliffs, deep bays (ria coast formation), and small fishing villages. The coast is divided into northern (Kitayamazaki cliffs), central (Jodogahama), and southern (Kamaishi, Ofunato) sections. Kitayamazaki features 200-meter-high cliffs extending 8km, with observation points accessible by car and walking trails. The ria coast geography — drowned river valleys creating deep inlets — makes the coastline convoluted and scenic but also vulnerable to tsunamis. The 2011 Tohoku tsunami devastated coastal communities; recovery efforts transformed the region into Sanriku Fukko (Recovery) National Park. Today, the coast combines natural beauty with tsunami memorials, elevated seawalls, and rebuilt fishing ports. The area is famous for seafood, particularly sea urchin, abalone, oysters, and wakame seaweed.