The Sanriku Coast ( 三陸海岸 , sanriku kaigan ) is a coastal region on the Pacific Ocean, extending from southern Aomori Prefecture , through Iwate Prefecture and northern Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Honshū , which is Japan's main island. The name comes from the historical region of Sanriku (lit. "three riku "), referring to the former provinces of Rikuō , Rikuchū and Rikuzen .
35-800: There are the Tanesashi Coast, the Rikuchu Kaigan National Park and the Minami-Sanriku Kinkazan Quasi-National Park in the Sanriku Coast region. The bays of this ria coastline tend to amplify the destructiveness of tsunami waves. Significant events which devastated coastal communities include: Prior to 2011, the tsunami history of Sanriku might have been interpreted as a story of progressively fewer casualties due to human intervention and planning. The 2011 disaster created
70-417: A magnitude 8.6 earthquake and tsunami struck the coast of Iwate. On 14 November 1230, volcanic activity was reported. On 2 December 1611, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake and tsunami were reported to have killed over 3,000 horses and people. In 1662 Morioka and its suburbs were hit by a large flood leaving 1,000 dead. Volcanic activity was reported on Mt. Iwate on 23 March 1686 and 14 April 1687. In 1700,
105-556: A campaign of burning crops and kidnapping the Emishi women and children and relocating them to Western Japan was adopted. Many a stout warrior gave up the fight to join his family again. In 801, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro began a new campaign against the Isawa Emishi having moderate success. Finally on 15 April 802 the Emishi leaders More and Aterui surrendered with some 500 warriors. The captives were taken to Kyoto for an audience with
140-466: A cholera outbreak in Kamaishi left 302 dead and warnings about drinking water were posted throughout the prefecture. In April 1884, there was another outbreak of cholera in Kamaishi. In September 1886, cholera outbreaks throughout Iwate left 312 dead. On 15 June 1896, at 7:32 am, a magnitude 8.5 earthquake struck offshore. The ensuing tsunami sent waves onto the coast of Iwate at Yoshihama, in what
175-567: A land area of 121.98 square kilometers (47.10 sq mi). On 24 May 2013 the park was incorporated into Sanriku Fukkō National Park. This was in the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . It also includes the former Tanesashi Kaigan Hashikamidake Prefectural Natural Park . On 31 March 2015, the Ministry of the Environment extended the park to include the former Minami Sanriku Kinkasan Quasi-National Park . Subsequently,
210-648: A large number of burial pits from the Middle Jōmon Period (2,800–1,900 BC) have been found in Nishida. Various sites from the Late Jōmon Period (1,900–1,300 BC) including Tateishi, Makumae and Hatten contain clay figurines, masks and ear and nose shaped clay artifacts. The Kunenbashi site in Kitakami City has yielded stone "swords", tablets and tools as well as clay figurines, earrings and potsherds from
245-523: A major decline to only 7,220 births from October 2018 to September 2019. This is in contrast to the 17,681 deaths recorded during the same period. Finally, Iwate has a net negative migration rate (-2.8) with 21,265 permanently leaving the prefecture and 16,795 entering. The web site of the Iwate prefecture provides the summarized biographies of 'Famous Iwate people' in Japanese and English. On 13 July 869,
280-416: A new baseline for analysis of regularly occurring tsunamis. 39°58′14″N 141°57′15″E / 39.9706°N 141.9542°E / 39.9706; 141.9542 This Aomori Prefecture location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Iwate Prefecture location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Miyagi Prefecture location article
315-451: A population of 1,180,595. Consistent with population trends across Japan , Iwate has experienced a slow, but steady decline in growth since the end of World War II with a major contributing factor being an aging population. As of October 2019, 33.1% of the population was over 65 with 15.4% aged between 65 and 74 and 17.7% over 75. Moreover, the 1950 census saw the most births in the prefecture with 45,968 reported, but since then there has been
350-678: A tsunami from the 1700 Cascadia earthquake struck Iwate Prefecture. No records from North America exist, but the event was reconstructed using Japanese records. On 13 May 1717, The Hanamaki area was struck with a magnitude 7.6 earthquake opening cracks in the ground everywhere. There was also widespread destruction of houses and shops. In Nanbu-han alone, 49,594 people starved to death in the famine of 1755. Severe famines continue from 1783 to 1787 and again from 1832 to 1838. Cholera outbreaks occurred in August 1879, in Miyako and Kuji. In July 1882,
385-623: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Rikuchu Kaigan National Park Sanriku Fukkō National Park ( 三陸復興国立公園 , Sanriku Fukkō Kokuritsu Kōen , lit. ' Sanriku Reconstruction National Park ' ) is a national park extending along the Sanriku Coast of Japan from Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture through Iwate Prefecture to Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture . The national park
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#1732801774481420-856: Is an example of a ria coastline of submerged river valleys, with deep inlets and narrow peninsulas, forming many small bays and coves. At the northern part of the national park there is an 8-kilometer-long (5.0 mi) and 200-meter-high (660 ft) set of cliffs called the Kita Yamazaki . The scenic coastal rock formations are nicknamed the "Alps of the Sea". Aomori : Hachinohe , Hashikami Iwate : Fudai , Iwaizumi , Kamaishi , Kuji , Miyako , Noda , Ōfunato , Ōtsuchi , Rikuzentakata , Tanohata , Yamada Miyagi : Ishinomaki , Kesennuma , Minamisanriku , Onagawa , Tome Flora includes groves of Japanese red pine , rhododendrons and Rosa rugosa . Fauna includes numerous bird species, including
455-683: Is characterized by the Kitakami River which flows from north to south between the Ōu and Kitakami mountain ranges. It is the fourth longest river in Japan and the longest in Tōhoku. The basin of the Kitakami is large and fertile providing room for the prefecture's largest cities, industrial parks and farms. In the past Iwate has been famous for its mineral wealth especially in the form of gold, iron, coal and sulfur but these are no longer produced. There
490-425: Is now Sanriku town, reaching 24 metres (79 ft) in height. 18,158 people died in Iwate alone while some 10,000 homes were destroyed. Fishermen fishing the ocean about 20 miles (32 km) offshore felt nothing, then returning home the next morning found the shore littered with their homes and the bodies of their loved ones. In September 1899, dysentery spread throughout the prefecture killing 2,070 people. There
525-449: Is still an abundance of hot water for onsen, or hot springs, which is the basis of a thriving industry. The forests of the prefecture are another valuable resource. Before World War II the forests were mainly composed of beech but since then there has been a huge swing towards the production of faster growing Japanese cedar. Recently, though, there has been a push to restore the original beech forests in some areas. As of 31 March 2019, 5% of
560-656: The Ou Mountains and Mutsu Province. In 729 Kokuseki-ji Temple was founded in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City by the itinerant priest Gyōki . Little is known about relations between these Japanese frontiersmen and the native Emishi but in 776 they took a turn for the worse when large forces of the Yamato army invaded Iwate attacking the Isawa and Shiwa tribes in February and November of that year. More fighting occurred
595-515: The black-tailed gull and shearwater . In terms of larger animals, there have also been sightings of the kamoshika . Iwate Prefecture Iwate Prefecture ( 岩手県 , Iwate-ken ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu . It is the second-largest Japanese prefecture at 15,275 square kilometres (5,898 sq mi), with a population of 1,165,886 (as of July 1, 2023). Iwate Prefecture borders Aomori Prefecture to
630-539: The Final Jōmon Period (1,300–300 BC). The earliest mention of a Japanese presence dates to about 630 when the Hakusan Shrine was said to have been built on Mt. Kanzan in what is now Hiraizumi. At this time various Japanese traders, hunters, adventurers, priests and criminals made their way to Iwate. In 712 the province of Mutsu , containing all of Tōhoku , was divided into Dewa Province , the area west of
665-605: The beginning of the Meiji Restoration. Iwate faces the Pacific Ocean to the east with sheer, rocky cliffs along most of the shoreline interrupted by a few sandy beaches. The border with Akita Prefecture on the west is generally formed by the highest points of the Ōu Mountains . Aomori Prefecture is to the north and Miyagi Prefecture is to the south. The Ōu mountains on the west still contain active volcanoes such as Mt. Iwate (at 2,038 metres (6,686 ft)
700-730: The border with Akita Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture is home to famous attractions such as Morioka Castle , the Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi including Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji , the Fujiwara no Sato movie lot and theme park in Ōshū, and the Tenshochi park in Kitakami known for its huge, ancient cherry trees . Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido , 5% of its total land area having been designated as National Parks . There are several theories about
735-633: The devil was immediately shackled to these rocks and forced to make a promise never to trouble the people again. As a seal of his oath, the devil made a handprint on one of the rocks, thus giving rise to the name Iwate, its direct translation being "rock hand". Even now after a rainfall, it is said that the devil's hand print can still be seen there. There are many present-day cultural foods popularly eaten in Iwate Prefecture, some of which include walnuts , wanko soba (meaning "bowl noodles") and hittsumi-jiru (meaning "pull and tear", in reference to
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#1732801774481770-557: The emperor and beheaded at Moriyama in Kawachi Province against the wishes of General Sakanoue. This act of cruelty enraged the Emishi leading to another twenty or more years of fighting. After the surrender numerous forts were built on the Chinese model along the Kitakami River. In 802, Fort Isawa was built in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City, in 803, Fort Shiwa was built in what is now Morioka City, and in 812 Fort Tokutan
805-458: The entire island of Honshū was claimed by the Japanese, or Yamato, government from earliest times, the imperial forces were unable to occupy any part of what would become Iwate until 802 when two powerful Emishi leaders, Aterui and More, surrendered at Fort Isawa. The area now known as Iwate Prefecture was inhabited by the Jōmon people who left their artifacts throughout the prefecture. For example,
840-475: The highest point in the prefecture) and Mt. Kurikoma (1,627 metres (5,338 ft)). But the Kitakami Mountains running through the middle of the prefecture from north to south are much older and have not been active for thousands of years. Mt. Hayachine (1,917 metres (6,289 ft)) lies at the heart of the Kitakami range. Besides these two mountain ranges and the rugged coastline, the prefecture
875-621: The next and following years but mostly in Dewa and the area south of present-day Iwate prefecture. This situation continued until March 787 when the Yamato army suffered a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Sufuse Village in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City. There the Emishi leaders and Aterui leading a large cavalry force trapped the Yamato infantry and pushed them into the Kitakami River where their heavy armour proved deadly. Over 1,000 soldiers drowned that day. The Japanese general Ki no Asami Kosami
910-470: The north, Akita Prefecture to the west, and Miyagi Prefecture to the south. Morioka is the capital and largest city of Iwate Prefecture; other major cities include Ichinoseki , Ōshū , and Hanamaki . Located on Japan's Pacific Ocean coast, Iwate Prefecture features the easternmost point of Honshu at Cape Todo , and shares the highest peaks of the Ōu Mountains —the longest mountain range in Japan—at
945-527: The origin of the name "Iwate", but the most well known is the tale Oni no tegata , which is associated with the Mitsuishi or "Three Rocks" Shrine in Morioka. These rocks are said to have been thrown down into Morioka by an eruption of Mt. Iwate. According to the legend, there was once a devil who often tormented and harassed the local people. When the people prayed to the spirits of Mitsuishi for protection,
980-448: The park will be extended to include Kesennuma Prefectural Natural Park , Kenjōsan Mangokuura Prefectural Natural Park , and Matsushima Prefectural Natural Park . The entire coastline is noted for examples of sea erosion, with numerous rock pillars and islands. The northern coast is an example of an uplifted coastline, and is an area which has been subject to several strong earthquakes and tsunami in recent history. The southern coast
1015-492: The total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks , namely Towada-Hachimantai and Sanriku Fukkō National Parks; Kurikoma and Hayachine Quasi-National Parks; and Goyōzan , Hanamaki Onsenkyō , Kuji-Hiraniwa , Murone Kōgen , Oritsume Basenkyō , Sotoyama-Hayasaka Heights , and Yuda Onsenkyō Prefectural Natural Parks. Fourteen cities are located in Iwate Prefecture: These are
1050-451: The towns and villages in each district : Iwate's industry is concentrated around Morioka and specializes in semiconductor and communications manufacturing. As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 3.9% of Japan's beef and 14.4% of broiler chickens. In 2009, 866 tons of dolphins and whales were harvested off the coast of Iwate, accounting for more than half of Japan's total catch of 1,404 tons. As of October 1, 2022, Iwate Prefecture had
1085-469: The way the dough is pulled and torn into oval shapes before being turned into noodles). Iwate's prefectural capital Morioka is also popular for its apples, blooming in May and ready for harvest from September to November. Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō visited Iwate and wrote about it in the journey described in his major work Oku no Hosomichi . He was especially inspired by the town of Hiraizumi . While
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1120-463: Was "rebuked" by the Emperor Kanmu when he returned to Kyoto. Since the Japanese could not win on the battlefield they resorted to other means to conquer the Emishi. Trade for superior quality iron wares and sake made the Emishi dependent on the Japanese for these valuable goods. Bribes were offered to the Emishi leaders in the form of Japanese citizenship and rank if they would defect. Finally
1155-548: Was a widespread crop failure due to violent storms in September 1902. Only 32,900 tons of rice were produced in Iwate, just 30% of the previous year's harvest. In 1905, there was again a massive crop failure due to heavy rain and cold leading to famine in 1906. People were reduced to eating straw, acorns and roots. In 1919, a small eruption occurred at Nishi-Iwate. On 3 March 1933, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck offshore killing 3,008 people and destroying 7,479 homes. This
1190-744: Was built also in Morioka. In the latter part of the Heian period , the town of Hiraizumi in what is now southern Iwate became the capital of the Northern Fujiwara . The warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune fled here after the Genpei War . Until the Meiji Restoration , the area of Iwate prefecture was part of Mutsu Province . Iwate Prefecture was created in 1876, in the aftermath of the Boshin Civil War , which heralded
1225-568: Was created on 24 May 2013 and covers a land area of 28,537 hectares (110.18 sq mi). On 2 May 1955 the Rikuchū Kaigan National Park ( 陸中海岸国立公園 , Rikuchū Kaigan Kokuritsu Kōen ) was created in the Tōhoku region of Honshū in northern Japan . The park extended for 180 kilometers from north to south along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean from northern Miyagi prefecture to northern Iwate prefecture . It had
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