Ippon-matsu

Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)


More than 70,000 pine trees lined the coastline around Rikuzen-takata until 2011, when all but one were destroyed in the tsunami. That tree, known as the Miracle Pine, survived for over a year, until salination from the inundation caused its demise. A replica was constructed in its place and serves as a touching memorial, symbolising hope. A memorial park is under construction around the site, including the replanting of a pine grove from pine cones collected from the original trees.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Honshū (Tōhoku) attractions

1. Goishi Kaigan

6.32 MILES

This 6km scenic stretch of rocky coastline and picturesque beaches around Ōfunato is home to a number of geological attractions, including Ranboya Gorge,…

2. RIAS Ark Museum of Art

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High in the hills above Kesennuma, this local art museum houses the largest collection of photographs and artefacts in existence relating to the 2011…

3. Aragami Jinja

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You may need to ask a local to take or direct you to this photogenic little shrine in the middle of a luminous yellow field of canola. If you're a…

4. Gohyaku Rakan

22.84 MILES

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5. Kamaishi Dai-kannon

22.9 MILES

In the hills above Kamaishi, this enormous (48.5m) statue of the Goddess of Mercy has witnessed much tragedy below, but remains a source of hope for…

6. Unedori-sama

22.99 MILES

About 2.5km southwest of Tōno Station is Unedori-sama, the matchmaking shrine. According to legend, if you tie a strip of red cloth around one of the…

7. Tōno Municipal Museum

23.01 MILES

With exhibits depicting some of Tōno's famous legends, this museum provides a good measure of background information and context for what's to come in the…

8. Tōno Folktale & Storytelling Center

23.05 MILES

Housed in the restored ryokan where Yanagita Kunio penned his famous work Legends of Tōno, this evocative museum has audiovisuals of some of the tales and…

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