Fudai

Fudai is a small village in Shimohei district in Iwate Prefecture on Japan's east coast. The settlement sits in a mountainous valley overlooking the sea with traditional houses and narrow roads that follow the natural terrain.

The village developed over centuries as a fishing community and trading post on the Pacific coast. In 1896 village leader Kotoku Wada built a massive stone seawall to protect the settlement from tsunamis, an engineering project that fundamentally shaped its character.

The village is surrounded by mountains and accessed via narrow winding mountain roads. Visit during the warmer months when the paths are dry and views along the coast are clearest.

The village's famous stone seawall is one of the tallest tsunami barriers in the world, built specifically to protect against massive waves. Its construction was a remarkable engineering feat for its era and stands as evidence of the community's determination to survive against nature's forces.

Location: Shimohei district

Inception: April 1, 1889

Shares border with: Iwaizumi, Tanohata, Noda

Website: https://vill.fudai.iwate.jp

GPS coordinates: 40.00522,141.88594

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:20