Namiita-kaigan Beach

Namiita-kaigan Beach on the Iwate coast was known before 2011 for its green pine backdrop, white sand, and surf conditions so consistent that locals coined the term 'one-way waves' for the steady shore break. The tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake that March washed away much of the coastline, including most of the beach sand. In the years since, local residents have campaigned to restore it, and surfers and beachgoers are gradually returning. The mountains directly behind the beach attract hikers and rock climbers, and the elevated trails give panoramic views of the recovering coast and sea below.