Kesennuma Oshima Island is a beautiful inhabited island in Kesennuma Bay in northeastern Miyagi Prefecture. It is one of the largest inhabited islands in the Tohoku region and is part of Sanriku Fukkō National Park and a designated marine park area.
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the island is characterized by the intricate coastline typical of the Sanriku ria coast. Forested hills, clear waters, sandy beaches, dramatic viewpoints, and rocky shores create a remarkably varied landscape.
The island is often described as the “Pearl of Green” because of its lush vegetation and beautiful natural scenery. Among its most famous attractions is Oda-no-Hama Beach, while Mount Kameyama offers panoramic views across the island and Kesennuma Bay.
Kesennuma Oshima covers approximately 8.50 square kilometers and is home to around 2,100 people. It lies directly across from the urban area of Kesennuma, and at its closest point the island is only about 230 meters from the mainland.
The island has also played an important geographical role as a natural breakwater protecting Kesennuma Bay. Fishing and tourism have long been important parts of the local economy and community.
The highest point on the island is Mount Kameyama, which rises approximately 235 meters above sea level. From the summit, visitors can enjoy expansive views of the island, Kesennuma Bay, and the dramatic ria coastline of the Sanriku region.
Several smaller uninhabited islands, including Omaemijima and Kurosakijima, can be seen around Oshima. The surrounding waters and varied coastline also make the island a convenient base for marine activities and nature exploration.
Kesennuma Oshima suffered severe damage during the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. The tsunami caused extensive destruction and temporarily divided parts of the island. At that time, the only regular transportation link between Oshima and the mainland was by ferry, and the island became effectively isolated.
One of the major projects to improve the island’s resilience and connectivity was the construction of the Kesennuma Oshima Ohashi Bridge, commonly known as the “Tsurukame Ohashi”.
The bridge opened in April 2019. Its white steel arch spans approximately 297 meters, making it one of the longest arch bridges in eastern Japan.
A pedestrian walkway allows visitors to cross the bridge while looking out over the surrounding sea. The bridge was also designed with consideration for tsunami inundation levels, incorporating measures intended to improve safety and resilience.
The opening of the bridge significantly improved transportation for island residents. It also strengthened access to emergency medical services and improved transportation options during disasters.
At the same time, easier access encouraged more visitors to travel to Oshima, supporting the island’s tourism industry and local accommodations.
Today, the bridge serves as an important connection between Oshima and the mainland and is widely regarded as a symbol of the island’s reconstruction and renewed connection with the wider community.
Oda-no-Hama Beach is one of the island’s best-known scenic spots. Located on the Pacific-facing side of the island, the beach features a beautiful crescent-shaped stretch of white sand and clear emerald-green water.
The beach was previously selected as a Special Selection beach in the “100 Best Swimming Beaches” compiled by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. In 2023, it also received Blue Flag certification, an international certification recognizing beaches that meet standards relating to environmental management, water quality, safety, and accessibility.
Oda-no-Hama was heavily damaged by the 2011 tsunami, but the beach was restored through the efforts of local residents and volunteers from across Japan.
During the swimming season, lifeguards are stationed at the beach, allowing visitors to enjoy the seaside with greater peace of mind. At sunset, the setting sun can turn the surface of the sea golden, creating an especially beautiful scene.
At the eastern tip of the island lies Kukunari-hama, a remarkable beach famous for its “singing sand.” When visitors walk across the sand under suitable conditions, it can produce a distinctive “squeaking” or “chirping” sound.
Kukunari-hama was the first beach in Japan to receive academic recognition for its singing sand. It is also designated as a National Natural Monument and has been included among Japan’s notable scenic beaches.
Because vehicles cannot reach the beach directly, visitors must walk for approximately 20 minutes along a trail. The walk helps preserve the quiet atmosphere of this secluded coastline.
For travelers looking for a more peaceful encounter with nature, Kukunari-hama provides an unusual experience that combines the sound of sand beneath your feet with the surrounding forest and sea.
Kameyama, rising 235 meters above sea level, is one of the island’s finest viewpoints. An observation area and rest house are located near the summit, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Kesennuma City, Kesennuma Bay, and the Sanriku ria coastline.
The scenery changes dramatically depending on the time of day. At night, the lights of fishing boats can be seen on the dark sea, while the stars shine overhead. This combination of fishing lights and a star-filled sky makes Kameyama a popular location for photography and evening scenery.
A former Kameyama Lift once provided access to the mountain, but it was discontinued after the 2011 disaster. Plans for a new monorail system have been progressing, with the aim of improving access in the future.
Oshima Shrine is an ancient shrine with a history of more than 1,000 years. It stands on the slopes of Mount Kameyama and provides an opportunity to experience the island’s traditional religious heritage.
Seikizan Komyo-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple traditionally said to have been founded during the Heian period. Its principal object of worship is Fudo Myoo, a powerful Buddhist deity associated with wisdom and protection.
Michi-biki Jizo is a Jizo statue associated with a local story of people being guided to safety during a tsunami. The story has also been introduced through “Manga Nippon Mukashibanashi,” a popular Japanese television program featuring traditional folk tales.
These religious and cultural sites offer another perspective on Oshima, showing that the island’s appeal extends beyond its beaches and spectacular scenery.
Kesennuma Oshima provides a variety of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding sea and natural environment.
For travelers who want more than a day trip, staying overnight allows more time to explore the island at a relaxed pace. Kyukamura Kesennuma-Oshima and local guesthouses provide accommodation options where visitors can also enjoy regional cuisine.
Kesennuma Oshima is known for several local products, including blueberries, camellia oil, and yuzu citrus grown at the northern limit of its cultivation range.
Blueberries are used in a variety of sweets and souvenir products. Camellia oil has traditionally been produced on the island and is now also used in cosmetics and health-related products.
Trying local foods and products is an enjoyable way to connect the island’s natural environment with its everyday culture.
Kesennuma Oshima is approximately 20 minutes by car from Kesennuma Chuo Interchange on the Sanriku Expressway.
From JR Kesennuma Station, the island area can be reached in approximately 30 minutes by car.
Parking areas are available near the island’s major tourist attractions.
Kesennuma Oshima is an island where beautiful nature, traditional culture, local life, and the story of reconstruction can all be experienced together.
Its white-sand beaches, emerald waters, forested mountains, dramatic ria coastline, and panoramic viewpoints make it an attractive destination for travelers seeking a different side of Japan’s Pacific coast.
At the same time, the Kesennuma Oshima Ohashi Bridge and the island’s disaster learning experiences provide an opportunity to understand the challenges faced by the community after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
Rather than simply visiting the island for a few hours, consider staying overnight and exploring its beaches, shrines, temples, viewpoints, local foods, and coastal activities at a relaxed pace.
Whether you come for nature, beaches, outdoor adventures, photography, local culture, or an opportunity to learn about Japan’s disaster recovery, Kesennuma Oshima offers a memorable experience along the Sanriku coast.
Surrounded by the blue waters of the Pacific and covered with lush green forests, the island lives up to its poetic nickname: the “Pearl of Green.”