Taro Kanko Hotel Tsunami Ruins
The Taro Kanko Hotel is a building located in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture. Once a functioning hotel, it was severely damaged by the tsunami that struck during the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. Today, it stands as a preserved disaster memorial site to convey the destructive force of the tsunami and the importance of disaster preparedness.
You can clearly see how high the water rose just by looking at the structure. While a few new facilities exist in the area, the surrounding neighborhood is strikingly empty—homes and buildings once stood here, but the tsunami swept everything away. This single standing ruin is a haunting reminder of what was lost.
Now open to the public, the Taro Kanko Hotel allows visitors to physically see and feel the aftermath of the 2011 disaster. The site includes informative panels and guided tours that help convey what happened that day and why we must stay prepared. It’s one of the most sobering yet meaningful places you can visit along the Sanriku Coast—a moment of quiet reflection in your journey.
📍 80-1 Nohara, Taro, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan 🚉 About 20-minute walk from Taro Station on the Sanriku Railway Rias Line 🕘 Open: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM) 📅 Closed: Year-end holidays (Dec 29–Jan 3) and some temporary closures 🎫 Admission: ¥300 for adults / Free for high school students and younger 🚗 Parking and restrooms available 👥 Guided tours by disaster educators available (advance reservation required)