Discover Watari: Pacific Coast, Harakomeshi, and Traditions

Get to know Watari through its different local highlights: the Pacific coast, Harakomeshi, and traditions of remembrance and passing on cultural heritage. If you’re looking for a hotel in Watari, these highlights can help you tailor your trip to your interests. The places and customs below range from views of the sea and mountains to a distinctive way of preparing salmon rice.

Coastal Scenery and Views

Torinoumi Park covers 27 hectares and lies on the Pacific Ocean. The observation hall on the fifth floor of Yurikan offers sweeping views of the Pacific and the Zao mountain range. The open-air baths at Watari Onsen Torinoumi are also known for their views: from the baths, you can see the Pacific, Torinoumi Bay, the Zao Mountains, and the Oshika Peninsula and Kinkasan. The east and west baths alternate daily between women and men. The views described vary by location: the observation hall looks out over the sea and mountains, while the baths also offer views of the bay and the named island and peninsula.

Remembrance and Traditions Passed Down

Chinkon no Mori Memorial is located in Torinoumi Park. It was established by the Arahama Community Development Council to remember those who lost their lives in the Great East Japan Earthquake at around 2:46 p.m. on March 11, 2011, and to pass the memory of the disaster on to future generations. The site connects remembrance of this specific event with views of the wider coastal landscape of the park.

Ushifukuro Hōin Kagura tells, in twelve acts, how the gods join forces to drive away evil gods and demons. In the first act, two deities purify the space with sacred staffs and bells and ward off misfortune. Since 1987, the kagura has been designated an intangible folk cultural asset of Watari City; the local district supports it at the summer festival at Ushifukuro Yakumo Shrine. The story and the first act offer a specific glimpse of the ritual performance depicted.

Another tradition is Watari Masutori Mai. In the past, it was performed at autumn festivals to celebrate the harvest and pray for a plentiful crop. The tradition was revived around 1955. Since 2019, third-graders at Yoshida Elementary School have passed it on and performed it at school events and events at the local history museum. Unlike Kagura’s story about the gods, Masutori Mai centers on the harvest and autumn festivals.

Harakomeshi and Local Foods

Harakomeshi is an autumn dish made with returning salmon and is traditionally said to have originated in Watari. Preparation varies by context: restaurants typically cook the rice in salmon broth from the start. At home, the broth is often gradually mixed into the white rice only after it has been cooked. The comparison mainly highlights when the broth is added: either the rice cooks in it from the beginning, or it is added later. Passing down the recipe is also part of the tradition: mothers-in-law have passed the family recipe on to their daughters-in-law over many years.

Torinoumi Fureai Market sells fresh seafood delivered by local fishers and fish retailers, locally grown vegetables, acerola, prepared foods, and confectionery. Opening hours vary by season; check the hours before your visit. The market and Harakomeshi offer two different glimpses of local food culture: one is a selection of delivered and locally grown products, while the other is a dish with its own preparation and family-recipe traditions.

Waves and Fishing

Arahama and Yoshidahama are surf spots in Watari. The waves at Arahama Beach tend to be more compact, while those at the mouth of the Abukuma River tend to be gentler. Wave conditions can change, so check them locally when planning your visit. At Arahama Port, you can fish from the shore for flounder and gobies. Before fishing, also check local conditions and access.

Discover more destinations: Kesennuma, Taiwa, Misato, Minamisanriku, Ishinomaki, Shichigahama, Tome, Shichikashuku

For the broader travel guide: Miyagi Prefecture.