Miyako & Jodogahama

A base on the northern section of the Sanriku coast, with the pine-covered white rocks of Jodogahama, boat trips into the Blue Cave and the Taro earthquake ruins. Take the Sanriku Railway to see the cliffs along the coast.

Miyako and Jodogahama lie along the Sanriku coast in central Iwate Prefecture. It is a base for exploring the northern section of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park. Miyako City faces the Pacific. The south has steep, winding ria-type coastline, while the north has towering marine cliffs. Cape Todogasaki, the easternmost point of the main island of Honshu, is also within the city. The highlight, Jodogahama, is about 3 km from the city centre. Its white rhyolite rocks, pine trees and clear sea form an iconic landscape. Here you can take a small fishing boat into the Blue Cave, or a sightseeing boat where you can feed seagulls. Going north, you will find Fukiana (the blowhole), the giant seawall and earthquake ruins in Taro, and Sanō-iwa rock. Continuing north along the Sanriku Railway for about an hour brings you to the Kitayamazaki and Unosu cliffs, the two major cliff sites. To the south, the Shimokita Peninsula can be walked to Todogasaki Lighthouse.

The best season is May to October. July and August are cool and good for swimming, and late October brings autumn foliage. Winters are cold, and most boat trips do not operate.

Getting there: From Morioka, take the JR Yamada Line or the “106 Express” bus for about 2–2.5 hours to Miyako. Within the city and along the northern coast, you can take the Sanriku Railway. Bus services between sites are infrequent, so driving is most convenient. Plan to stay 1–2 days. This area was also badly affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, so be respectful when visiting the ruins. Local specialties include sea urchin, salmon and “sea urchin rice in a jar.” Ryusendo Cave in Iwaizumi town is often visited together with Miyako.

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