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Ishinomaki Tsunami Ruins Okawa Elementary School

A place of memorial and remembrance where the scars of the earthquake remain strong.

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An elementary school that was hit by the tsunami from the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011. Seventy-four children and ten teachers lost their precious lives. The school building, which was destroyed by the tsunami, has been preserved by Ishinomaki City as a relic of the disaster, and a storyteller gives guided tours as needed. The school building was opened to the public in July 2021, along with the Okawa Memorial Museum, which exhibits actual materials and panels of photographs taken before and after the earthquake.

Highlights

  • A memorial service for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
  • Storytellers provide guided tours (reservations required).
  • The Okawa Tsunami Memorial Hall has been open to the public since July 2021.
  • Access by public transportation is difficult.

Photos

  • A flower offering stand is placed in front of the old school building.

    A flower offering stand is placed in front of the old school building.

  • A school building that tells of the devastation at the time

    A school building that tells of the devastation at the time

  • Crossing corridor toppled by the tsunami

    Crossing corridor toppled by the tsunami

  • Okawa Tsunami Memorial Hall opened to the public in July 2021.

    Okawa Tsunami Memorial Hall opened to the public in July 2021.

  • Materials related to the earthquake are on display in the Memorial Hall.

    Materials related to the earthquake are on display in the Memorial Hall.

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Details

Name in Japanese
石巻市震災遺構大川小学校
Postal Code
986-0111
Address
94 Nirashima, Kamaya, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi
Telephone
0225-24-6315
Closed
Wednesdays (open if Wednesday is a national holiday, closed the following day), December 29-January 3
Business Hours
9:00am-5:00pm (Admission allowed until 4:30pm)
Admission
Free
Directions
1) Approx. 45 min. by taxi from JR Ishinomaki Station
2) Approx. 25 minutes by taxi from JR Kanomata Station
3) Approx. 20 minutes by car from the Kahoku IC of the Sanriku Coastal Highway
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)