Watari: Coast, Memory and Cuisine

Watari brings together views of the Pacific Ocean, a moving culture of remembrance, traditional performances and a distinctive food culture. Visitors wishing to explore the area can choose from coastal experiences, quiet moments of remembrance and insights into regional traditions.

Coastal Views and a Place of Remembrance

The Chinkon no Mori memorial is located in the 27-hectare Torinoumi Park on the Pacific coast. The Arahama District Development Council established it to remember the people who lost their lives in the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, at around 2:46 p.m. It is also intended to pass the memory of the disaster on to future generations. The park thus combines its seaside location with a place focused on the consequences of the event and remembrance of those affected.

The views of the sea and mountains are also part of what makes other places in Watari special. The open-air baths at Watari Onsen Torinoumi offer views of the Pacific Ocean, Torinoumi Bay, the Zaō Mountains, the Oshika Peninsula and Kinkasan. The east and west baths alternate daily between women and men. Another viewpoint is the hall on the fifth floor of Yurikan, which looks out over the Pacific Ocean and the Zaō mountain range.

Experience Watari by the Water

For an active seaside experience, consider the surf spots at Arahama and Yoshidahama. The waves also vary by location: at Arahama Beach they tend to be compact, while at the mouth of the Abukuma River they are gentler. These differences describe two distinct coastal conditions, though they may not matter equally for every activity.

At Arahama Port, you can fish for flounder and goby from the shore. Alongside its surf spots, the coast therefore also offers opportunities for fishing. Those interested in these experiences will find various ways to enjoy the water in Watari; the right choice depends on which activity they want to shape their stay around.

Traditional Performances and Regional Cuisine

Ushifukuro Hōin Kagura has been designated an intangible folk cultural asset of Watari City since 1987. Its story unfolds over twelve acts, in which the gods join forces to drive away evil gods and demons. In the first act, two deities purify the area with sacred staffs and bells and ward off misfortune. The Kagura is supported by the district during the summer festival at Ushifukuro Yakumo Shrine. The performance thus brings together an elaborate story and a local tradition.

Another traditional performance is the Watari Masutori Mai. In the past, it was performed at autumn festivals to celebrate the harvest and pray for an abundant crop. The tradition was revived around 1955. Since 2019, third-grade students at Yoshida Elementary School have carried it on; it is performed at school events and events at the local history museum. Those interested in Watari’s culture can thus encounter both the storytelling tradition of Kagura and a dance connected to the harvest.

Regional products and dishes are also part of the city’s character. Torinoumi Fureai Market sells fresh seafood delivered by local fishers and fishmongers, as well as locally grown vegetables, acerola, prepared foods and confectionery. Exploring the local food culture therefore offers a look at both fresh produce and ready-to-eat options.

Harakomeshi, made with returning salmon, is a distinctive autumn dish. Restaurants generally cook the rice with salmon broth from the start. At home, the broth is often gradually mixed into plain rice after it has been cooked. According to tradition, Harakomeshi originated in Watari; today, the dish is served at many restaurants in the city. Family recipes for it have long been passed down from mothers-in-law to daughters-in-law. These different preparation methods make Harakomeshi a tangible way to experience the region’s culinary culture.

Discover more destinations here: Kami District, Kurihara, Sendai, Matsushima, Misato, Shichigahama, Miya and Zao.

For the main travel guide: Miyagi Prefecture.