Kesennuma

By car

The nearest expressway to Kesennuma can be found in Ichinoseki, an hour's drive to the east. There are local highways that run north along the coast to Aomori and south toward Ishinomaki. These are rather scenic but are relatively slow, particularly in areas where post-tsunami construction work is heavy.

By train

Before the tsunami, there was a train line running up the coast from Sendai. There was also a train line continuing north from Kesennuma. Both were destroyed and have not been replaced. To reach Kesennuma by train, one can take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki, Iwate, and transfer to a local line, which terminates at Kesennuma Station.

• Kesennuma Station

  address: 古町一丁目5-25
  This is the main train station for Kesennuma. There is a small store and sitting area.

By bus

• Highway buses connect Kesennuma with Sendai and Tokyo. Buses between Sendai and Kesennuma run six times a day. An overnight bus linking Kesennuma and Ikebukuro in Tokyo runs every night.
• The BRT (bus rapid transit), which replaced the train line running up the coast from Sendai, also connects Kesennuma with Minamisanriku, and Sendai by way of transfer to train lines starting near Ishinomaki.

The city operates a circulating bus whose major stops are Kesennuma Station, city hall, Umi no Ichi, the downtown Tanaka-mae area, and the city hospital. It circulates six times a day in each direction. Rides are ¥200 per person (¥100 for children and the handicapped). Several taxi companies also operate in the city.

• OreishiiThis rock brings in tourists from around the country.

• Tsubaki MarathonIn the spring, Oshima is home to this marathon which bring in runners of all ages to compete against each other in a race that covers the entire island.

• Umi no Ichi

  phone: +81 226-24-5755
  address: 宮城県気仙沼市魚市場前７−１３
  Kesennuma's central fish market. Many stores and restaurants are located here, as well as the tourist center and Ice Aquarium. Buy seafood or Kesennuma souvenirs.

• Isaribi Park

  address: 唐桑町北中98-18
  This park has a large restaurant with ramen and other izakaya fare.

• Ganko Ramen

  address: Matsukawa 406-2
  This small ramen shop sells miso, shio, and shoyu ramen. It also sells gyoza.

• Hilltop

  address: 岩手県一関市千厩町清田字峠下２５−１
  This is a steak restaurant with an all-you-can-eat soup, salad, and rice bar. The steaks are large, by Japanese standards, and are grilled at your table.

• Yeti

  address: 20-11 Taya

• Anchor Coffee & Bar (Tanaka-mae)

  phone: +81 226-24-5955
  address: 宮城県気仙沼市田中前４丁目２−1
  A cozy coffee shop.

• Osaki Campground

  address: 唐桑町崎浜４