Local gourmet foods of Iwate
Justin samples craft beer from Tono
Justin eats a plate of fresh sashimi in Kamaishi
The vegetables were incredibly good—like a gift from Mother Nature.—Justin Harrison
On the way to Kamaishi, Justin stopped by the city of Tono, where he enjoyed craft beer made from fresh water and hops from Iwate Prefecture. He also got to sample some local vegetables.
Justin enjoyed some fresh sashimi and fragrant sake in Kamaishi. Kamaishi is well-known for its seafood, so it was especially delicious and fresh. He drank a locally-produced sake called Hamachidori. 90% of Hamachidori sales are in local markets, so it was a special opportunity to get to try it. Don’t you want to try all the unique things in the area?
Access
From Tokyo Station to Shinhanamaki Station
Take the bullet train (About 3h 10mins).
From Shinhanamaki Station to Tōno Station
JR Kamaishi Line (About 55 minutes).
Interacting with the locals
Justin meets up with excited rugby fans
Famous demons of the Tohoku area known as Nanamitakuri
Justin visited Kamaishi’s Fanzone, where he met many excited rugby supporters who posed for photos with him as they waited for the afternoon match to start.
Staff members at the Fanzone were welcoming guests with big smiles.
Access
From Shinhanamaki Station to Kamaishi Station
JR Kamaishi Line (About 2 hours).
From Tōno Station to Kamaishi Station
JR Kamaishi Line(About 1 hour).
Rugby Heritage
The stadium which symbolizes the recovery from the tsunami
Justin watching a video about Kamaishi after the disaster, at the memorial park in Unosumai.
When I visited Kamaishi last time, the stadium was still under construction. Today I was touched to see the completed stadium—it’s majestic and I’m very excited that we could watch the game here.—Justin Harrison
Justin watched a rugby match at Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium, which was built last year on a site where schools were destroyed by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011.
Access
From Shinhanamaki Station to Unosumai Station
JR Kamaishi Line to Kamaishi Station. Take a taxi (About 2 hours).
From Kamaishi Station to Unosumai Station
Take a taxi (About 15 minutes).
KAMAISHI
Kamaishi in southern Iwate Prefecture is known for its beautiful coastline, which is all part of Sanriku Fukko National Park. The city was devastated by the tsunami of March 11, 2011, but has been steadily rebuilding ever since, and intends to leverage its sports in its recovery.
Access from Tokyo by train about 4.5 hours ~
Stadium Information KAMAISHI UNOSUMAI MEMORIAL STADIUM
Of the 12 Rugby World Cup venues in Japan, the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium is the only newly built facility.
- Temporary bus service from Morioka Station and Shin-Hanamaki Station: 2-3 hours.
