Otsuchi Wind Telephone

The Otsuchi Wind Telephone is a small white telephone booth with glass panels located on a hillside in the coastal town of Ōtsuchi. Inside is a black rotary phone on a metal shelf alongside a notebook where people record their messages.

Designer Itaru Sasaki built this booth in 2010 as a personal space after losing a family member. Following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, it became a place where thousands came to process grief.

The booth reflects a Japanese way of honoring the deceased through a physical place where people can speak freely. Visitors treat it as a space for personal expression and remembrance.

The booth sits on a quiet hillside and is accessible by train to Kamaishi station followed by a short drive to Ōtsuchi. Plan for a peaceful visit with time to reflect, and be prepared for coastal weather conditions.

Many visitors report feeling a deep emotional shift when speaking into the disconnected phone, as if their voices truly carry to those who have passed away. People often leave handwritten notes and personal items as tokens of their connection.

Location: Ōtsuchi

Website: http://bell-gardia.jp/guide/kaze-no-denwa

GPS coordinates: 39.38611,141.93191

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46