The Taro Kanko Hotel in Miyako city, Japan, once stood as a symbol of hospitality, offering guests views of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby Sannoiwa Rocks. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
Perched along the scenic coastline of Japan’s Iwate prefecture, the Taro Kanko Hotel once stood as a symbol of hospitality, offering guests views of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby Sannoiwa Rocks.
However, on March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake unleashed a devastating tsunami that irrevocably altered the landscape and the hotel’s fate.
The tsunami, with waves reaching heights of up to 130 feet in some places, obliterated the first two floors of the six-story hotel, leaving only skeletal pillars as remnants of its former structure. The upper floors remained intact, bearing silent witness to the catastrophic force that swept through the region.
Taro Kanko Hotel ceased operations, its lower levels gutted and exposed to the elements.
In the years since, the hotel has transformed from a place of leisure to a poignant memorial. Preserved in its post-tsunami state, it now serves as a “shinsai ikou,” or disaster remains site, offering guided tours to educate visitors about that fateful day.
These tours, organized by the Miyako Tourism and Cultural Exchange Association, provide an intimate look into the hotel’s condition and the tsunami’s broader impact on the community.
The Taro Kanko Hotel in Miyako city, Japan, has transformed from a place of leisure to a poignant tsunami memorial. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake unleashed a devastating tsunami that irrevocably altered the Taro Kanko Hotel's fate. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
The Taro Kanko Hotel in Miyako city, Japan, once stood as a symbol of hospitality, offering guests views of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby Sannoiwa Rocks. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors can observe the stark contrast between the devastated lower floors and the untouched upper levels, a visual representation of nature’s unpredictable wrath. The tours also include a viewing of footage captured by the hotel’s owner during the tsunami, providing a harrowing firsthand account of the disaster.
While the Taro Kanko Hotel stands as a somber reminder of the past, it also embodies the resilience and determination of the local community. Efforts to preserve the site aim to educate future generations and honor the memories of those affected by the disaster.
A visit to the Taro Kanko Hotel offers a profound and reflective experience, underscoring the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The Taro Kanko Hotel in Miyako city, Japan, has transformed from a place of leisure to a poignant tsunami memorial. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
Preserved in its post-tsunami state, the Taro Kanko Hotel in Miyako city, Japan, now serves as a “shinsai ikou,” or disaster remains site, offering guided tours to educate visitors about that fateful day. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
Directions: Travel by car is recommended. Point your GPS to Nohara-80-1 Taro, Miyako, Iwate 027-0323.
Times: You can walk around the exterior 24/7. Guided tours inside must be booked in advance by calling 0193-77-3305.
Costs: Free to walk around the exterior. Guided tours that take you inside the structure cost 4,000 yen per hour per group.
Food: Suika, a cafe within walking distance of the hotel, offers classic Japanese fare and daily lunch specials.
Information: Online: tinyurl.com/bdzmdt5e
