Whale Town Oshika is a tourism and cultural exchange center located in Ayukawahama, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. Facing Ayukawa Port, it serves as an important gateway for exploring the Oshika Peninsula and introduces visitors to the area’s marine environment, local life, history, and traditional whaling culture.
The complex stands above a seawall approximately 6 meters above sea level and offers views of Ayukawa Port. It consists of three main facilities: the Cottu Tourism and Local Products Center, the Oshika Peninsula Visitor Center, and Oshika Whale Land.
Visitors can enjoy local food and shopping while also learning about the rich natural environment of the Oshika Peninsula and its long relationship with whales and the sea. Ayukawa has been known as a whaling town since the Meiji period (1868–1912), and Whale Town Oshika provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the connection between whales, the ocean, and the people who have lived here for generations.
Oshika Whale Land is a museum dedicated to both the natural science of whales and the traditional whale culture of the Oshika Peninsula. Ayukawa developed for many years around the whaling industry, and the museum explains how whales influenced the lives, industries, and culture of local residents through historical materials, photographs, videos, and interactive exhibits.
The original Whale Land opened in 1990 but was severely damaged by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. Following reconstruction efforts, the museum reopened in a renovated form on July 22, 2020, approximately nine years and four months after the disaster.
Today, the museum combines exhibits about whale biology with displays explaining the history and culture of Ayukawa, making it an interesting destination for both families and travelers who want to understand the region beyond its scenery.
One of the museum’s most impressive displays is a large sperm whale skeleton. Measuring 16.9 meters in length, it is among the largest specimens of its kind displayed in Japan. Seeing the enormous skeleton at close range provides a powerful sense of just how large these marine mammals are.
The museum also displays a rare gray whale calf skeleton. Examining real whale bones allows visitors to appreciate the animals’ enormous size and understand the distinctive structure of their bodies.
Oshika Whale Land offers a variety of exhibits designed to make learning about whales enjoyable. Large illustrations introduce the many types of whales found around the world, providing an engaging first look at the diversity of these remarkable animals.
Interpretive graphics, real specimens, and interactive displays explain whale biology in an accessible way. Exhibits such as the “Whale Body Q&A” introduce fascinating facts about whale anatomy and behavior.
A large-screen theater provides another memorable experience. Dynamic footage of whales swimming through the ocean creates the feeling of being underwater alongside them, allowing visitors to develop a deeper interest in whale life and the marine environment.
Another important part of Oshika Whale Land is its cultural exhibition on the history of Ayukawa and its relationship with whales. Photographs, videos, historical documents, and other materials illustrate how Ayukawa developed as a major whaling base and how whaling became connected with everyday life in the community.
Visitors can also see tools and equipment once used in whaling. These exhibits help explain how the industry supported the local economy and influenced the lives of people in Ayukawa.
A large chronological display traces the development of Ayukawa from a small fishing settlement into one of Japan’s major whaling bases. Valuable whale-related cultural materials that survived the 2011 disaster are also preserved and displayed, offering an opportunity to learn about both the area’s cultural heritage and its recovery after the earthquake and tsunami.
Another highlight of Whale Town Oshika is the whaling vessel Dai-16 Risho-maru. Built in 1958 as a large whaling vessel, it operated for approximately 30 years in areas including the Antarctic Ocean and the waters off Kinkasan Island. It remained in active service until the end of March 1988 before being preserved on land in Ayukawa, a former whaling base.
During the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, Ayukawahama was struck by a massive tsunami and many buildings in the area were destroyed or severely damaged. The Dai-16 Risho-maru, however, retained its original form and subsequently became a symbol of the town’s recovery, giving encouragement to local residents.
After restoration work was completed, the vessel opened to the public in November 2021. Visitors can now step onto the deck and explore both the inside and outside of the ship, gaining a close-up impression of the size and structure of a vessel that once operated at the heart of the whaling industry.
The viewing hours for the Dai-16 Risho-maru vary by season. From April through October, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., while from November through March, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Checking the latest schedule before visiting is recommended.
Cottu is a tourism and local products center that opened on October 4, 2019. It includes a tourist information center, a ticket counter and waiting area for the Ajishima Line ferry service, restaurants, and shops selling local products. The facility serves as a convenient starting point for exploring the Oshika Peninsula.
The nickname “Cottu” comes from a local expression meaning “this way” or “over here.” The name carries a welcoming message, suggesting that visitors should come this way to discover the area and enjoy a memorable experience.
Cottu is a convenient place to sample fresh seafood and whale dishes characteristic of the Oshika Peninsula. The waters around Kinkasan are known as a rich fishing ground, and the local restaurants offer a variety of seafood depending on the season.
Kaizen Restaurant Nagisa serves seasonal seafood as well as beef tongue, one of Miyagi Prefecture’s best-known specialties. Menu options include abalone rice bowls, seafood tempura rice bowls, and set meals featuring minke whale sashimi.
Ogon Sushi specializes in sushi and rice bowls made with locally landed seafood. Popular specialties include whale yukhoe rice bowls, Kinka sushi, and seasonal dishes such as rice bowls topped with freshly prepared sea urchin.
Plaza Saito offers a broad menu including whale sashimi set meals, seafood rice bowls, and fried shrimp set meals. In addition to whale cuisine, its varied menu makes it a convenient option for visitors traveling with children.
Cottu is also a good place to look for souvenirs from the Oshika Peninsula. Products associated with the area’s whale culture include minke whale meat for sashimi, canned whale meat, whale bacon, and saezuri, or whale tongue.
Visitors can also find locally produced seafood such as hoya sea squirt and wakame seaweed, making it possible to take a taste of the Oshika coast home with them.
At Chijimatsu Shoten, traditional crafts made from sperm whale teeth are produced and sold. Items include seals, traditional netsuke ornaments, earrings, and other accessories. These unique crafts reflect Ayukawa’s long cultural connection with whales.
The Oshika Peninsula Visitor Center introduces the natural environment of the Oshika Peninsula within the Sanriku Fukkō National Park. Exhibits cover the area’s mountains, coastline, islands, and marine environment, including Kinkasan, Ajishima, and Tashirojima.
The center also introduces the traditional lifestyles and local culture of people who have lived alongside the sea and mountains. Seasonal attractions, outdoor activities, and sightseeing information are provided to help visitors plan their trips around the peninsula.
Special exhibitions, craft workshops, and seminars are also held from time to time. Rather than simply providing tourist information, the center offers opportunities to experience and understand the natural and cultural character of the Oshika Peninsula.
The visitor center is generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed on Wednesdays and during the New Year holiday period. Admission is free, making it an easy stop for travelers exploring the area.
Ayukawahama, where Whale Town Oshika is located, is a historic port town that has been closely associated with whaling since the Meiji period. The community developed around Ayukawa Port and remains an important center for tourism and everyday life in the Oshika area.
Nearby attractions include Kinkasan Island and Oshika Gobansho Park. Offshore, the waters around Kinkasan are known for their abundant marine resources. Together, the sea, local cuisine, natural scenery, history, and traditional culture create the diverse appeal of the Oshika Peninsula.
Travelers can use Whale Town Oshika as a starting point for visiting Kinkasan, Ajishima, Tashirojima, and other destinations around the peninsula. Because it is also a gateway for the Ajishima Line, visitors can incorporate a boat trip into their itinerary and explore the islands from the sea.
Cottu Tourism and Local Products Center is generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is open year-round. It provides tourist information, dining, shopping, and ferry-related services, making it a convenient starting point for exploring the Oshika Peninsula.
Oshika Peninsula Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed on Wednesdays and during the New Year holiday period. Admission is free.
Oshika Whale Land is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is generally closed on Wednesdays. When Wednesday is a national holiday, the following weekday is closed instead. Admission is 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school and university students, and 200 yen for junior high school and elementary school students.
By car, Whale Town Oshika is approximately 60 minutes from either the Ishinomaki-Onagawa Interchange or the Ishinomaki-Kanan Interchange on the Sanriku Coastal Expressway.
By public transportation, travelers can take the Miyako Bus Ayukawa Line from JR Ishinomaki Station to Ayukawa Port in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. From JR Watanoha Station, the journey takes approximately 1 hour.
Another option is to travel by sea. Regular ferries operated by the Ajishima Line take approximately 60 minutes from the Kadonowaki boarding area. For visitors interested in the islands and coastal scenery, arriving by boat can itself become an enjoyable part of the journey.
Whale Town Oshika is more than a museum about whales. It is a tourism and cultural center where visitors can discover the natural environment of the Oshika Peninsula, the history of fishing and whaling in Ayukawa, local food and traditional crafts, and the story of the community’s recovery following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and whale cuisine, browse local products, learn about the peninsula’s natural environment at the visitor center, and discover whale biology and culture at Oshika Whale Land. Seeing the impressive Dai-16 Risho-maru also provides a vivid connection to Ayukawa’s history as a whaling town.
For travelers exploring the Oshika Peninsula, Whale Town Oshika is a useful place to begin. From here, you can continue to Ayukawahama, Kinkasan, Ajishima, Tashirojima, and other coastal destinations, creating a journey that combines nature, food, maritime culture, history, and local life.