Kamaishi
Discover Kamaishi
Kamaishi (釜石) is an ex-steeltown in Iwate, Japan. Hashino Iron Mine was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015. Kamaishi is on the Pacific Ocean, on the eastern end of JR's Kamaishi Line, which extends from Hanamaki in central Iwate to Kamaishi on the coast. On this route is also Shin-Hanamaki Bullet Train Station, which is on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line. Trains only run a few times a day, so plan your schedule carefully.
Famous Beaches
Taste of Kamaishi...
Kamaishi is known for its extremely fresh seafood, which can be bought from local merchants or enjoyed at the many restaurants in town. In the center of town and along Route 283 there are many restaurants to choose from. Of course, there are a good number of traditional (and expensive) Japanese food restaurants. For those looking for something different, there is Hiroshima-ya, a well-known locally owned ramen shop one block from Bay City Hotel and Sun Route Hotel. The owner is good-natured and very friendly with his guests, often offering a free beer (or two) or tastes of new recipes he is developing. The must-try on the menu is tomato ramen. Many Japanese find the idea of tomato ramen to be very strange (and may be reluctant to try it), but most find that it is an interesting twist on traditional ramen. Another restaurant to keep on your list is Poto Mae No, located adjacent to the NHK building on the northwestern shore of Kamaishi Bay. It offers mainly western-style food (pastas, rice omelets, hamburger steaks), but what sets this restaurant apart is its dishes are made exclusively with organic food products. An extremely friendly staff complements the light and modern atmosphere of the restaurant. Other restaurants in town offer curries, okonomiyaki, Korean-style grilling, and most other kinds of East Asian cuisines. There are also many izakayas to choose from.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsKamaishi is on the Pacific Ocean, on the eastern end of JR's Kamaishi Line, which extends from Hanamaki in central Iwate to Kamaishi on the coast. On this route is also Shin-Hanamaki Bullet Train Station, which is on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line. Trains only run a few times a day, so plan your schedule carefully. Nestled in a long valley, Kamaishi proper is 14 km long by (as little as) 200 m wide. When you're on the main road, it's difficult to get lost. The hamlets in the neighbouring valleys (one to the north, and one to the south) are part of Kamaishi, so a city bus may suddenly take a sharp left and take off through a mile-long tunnel. JR's Kamaishi line has four stops within the city, used by commuters, and a couple of bus lines. The Kamaishi Dai-Kannon is an enormous statue of a god, watching out over fishermen as they go out to sea....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Nestled in a long valley, Kamaishi proper is 14 km long by (as little as) 200 m wide. When you're on the main road, it's difficult to get lost. The hamlets in the neighbouring valleys (one to the north, and one to the south) are part of Kamaishi, so a city bus may suddenly take a sharp left and take off through a mile-long tunnel. JR's Kamaishi line has four stops within the city, used by commuters, and a couple of bus lines. The Kamaishi Dai-Kannon is an enormous statue of a god, watching out over fishermen as they go out to sea. It was built in 1970, so lacks the historical significance of other statues, but you can go up inside and look out from her forehead, Statue-of-Liberty style. Kamaishi has a traditional dance called Toramae (虎舞), which translates to Tiger Dance. Each Tiger Dance group is composed of members of the same company or organization.
Money & Budget
Kamaishi is known for its extremely fresh seafood, which can be bought from local merchants or enjoyed at the many restaurants in town. In the center of town and along Route 283 there are many restaurants to choose from. Of course, there are a good number of traditional (and expensive) Japanese food restaurants. For those looking for something different, there is Hiroshima-ya, a well-known locally owned ramen shop one block from Bay City Hotel and Sun Route Hotel. The owner is good-natured and very friendly with his guests, often offering a free beer (or two) or tastes of new recipes he is developing. The must-try on the menu is tomato ramen.