Located in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, the Kesennuma City Great East Japan Earthquake Ruins and Memorial Museum (気仙沼市東日本大震災遺構・伝承館) is a solemn and educational site that preserves a school building damaged by the 2011 tsunami, offering visitors a powerful and direct experience of the disaster’s impact.
What Is Preserved?
The museum is centered around the former Kesennuma Koyo High School, which was severely affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.
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The building has been preserved in its damaged state, with debris, water marks, and structural damage still visible
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Visitors can walk through classrooms, stairwells, and corridors where the impact is still deeply felt
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Exhibits show the strength of the students and teachers, who managed to evacuate safely to higher ground
Main Features
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Guided Exhibits
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Personal accounts from students, teachers, and residents
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Educational panels explaining how the disaster unfolded and how the evacuation was carried out
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Tsunami simulation models and footage
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Observation Area
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A rooftop view of the surrounding area, now transformed by post-disaster reconstruction
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Disaster Education
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Emphasizes the importance of early evacuation, community response, and preparedness
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Encourages people to "learn from the past to protect the future"
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Location & Access
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Address: Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
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From Kesennuma Station, take a local bus or taxi (approx. 10–15 minutes)
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About 2.5 hours by car from Sendai
Why Visit?
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Reflect on the real human experience of the 2011 disaster
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Learn how proper disaster response can save lives
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See an actual high school left as it was after the tsunami
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Be inspired by the resilience of a community that rebuilt with hope
This memorial site is not just about tragedy — it is about education, preparation, and honoring the strength of those who endured. A meaningful destination for anyone interested in natural disaster history, resilience, and remembrance in modern Japan.
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Official Website
https://www.kesennuma-memorial.jp/english/
Accommodation sites
Agoda
