Sanriku Marker: Hiyori Yama hill in Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture
Initially it was reported that 10,000 people were missing. Actually near 4,000 people died. The casualty in Ishiinomaki is the highest in municipalities along the tsunami stricken Pacific Coast in Japan.
Ishinomaki is easily accessible from Senadai by JR train and buses.
Ishinomaki was prospering as a commercial port during Edo era. Ishinomaki is currently the second largest city in term of population in Miyagi prefecture after Sendai.
Hiyori Yama hill which is located near the mouth of the Kitakami River is currently a park of cherry trees and the location of the Kashima Shrine on the top of the hill.
Ishinomaki Castle was built over this hill about 500 years ago.
When the tsunami hit Ishinomaki, many people ran up this hill. It takes 20 minutes to walk from JR Ishinomaki Station to Hiyori Yama hill. The 360 degree view from the top of the hill covers the extended disaster areas.
Sanriku Marker Project: After my three visits to Sanriku coastal cities and towns, I am convinced that people in the tsunami stricken areas wanted visitors to witness their disaster. In order to encourage people outside of Japan to visit Sanriku area, I start to provide information about the places anybody can stop by. I call these places Sanriku Markers. — Shige Higashi