Takatamatsubara Memorial Park, memorial park dedicated to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, Japan
Takatamatsubara Memorial Park is a memorial site in Rikuzentakata that documents the impact of the 2011 tsunami. The grounds extend from the former pine forest location to the seawall and include a museum with exhibits, damaged structures, and monuments that record what occurred.
The area was devastated by a tsunami in 2011 that destroyed the historical pine forest and damaged large portions of the city. The park opened in 2019 to commemorate this event and preserve lessons from the disaster for future generations.
The park's name refers to the historical pine forest that once covered this coastal area. Today visitors encounter monuments and the preserved Miracle Pine, which has become a symbol of the community's resilience and collective memory.
The park is easily reached by bus from downtown or on foot, with a bus stop in front of the memorial. The grounds are open to visitors year-round except during some winter holidays.
The most notable feature is the Miracle Pine, the only tree that initially survived the tsunami before later dying from salt damage and now preserved as a symbol of hope. The museum features videos and personal accounts from kataribe, storytellers who share firsthand experiences of the disaster.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
