Onagawa, Coastal town in Oshika district, Japan
Onagawa is a coastal town in Oshika district that sits along the Sanriku Coast in Miyagi Prefecture, with a natural harbor on one side. It spreads between deep harbor waters and the Kitakami Mountains to the west, creating a geography shaped by mountains and sea.
The town was established in 1889 and experienced its most significant change following the 2011 tsunami, which caused widespread destruction. Since that event, the town has been rebuilt with modern facilities and continues to take on new forms.
The Onagawa Michinoku Geijutsu Festival gathers local artists, musicians, and craftspeople each year to celebrate the region's creative traditions. Through these gatherings, visitors can see how the community expresses its identity through artistic practice.
Onagawa is accessible via the JR Ishinomaki Line, which provides good access to the town center. The modern station serves as a starting point for exploring the rebuilt downtown and its surroundings.
The beaches here are known for a rare effect where sand produces squeaking sounds when you walk across it. This fascinating sound occurs at only a handful of locations throughout Japan.
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