Study Tours in Ishinomaki

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, Peace Boat has developed our relationship with the people in Ishinomaki. Peace Boat first dispatched staff and volunteers for disaster relief in the area just days after the disaster, which led to the founding of our Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Centre and our continuing base in the coastal city. Since then, our relationship has grown beyond the context of disaster relief into a locally rooted form.

More than half of the 1100 participants of Peace Boat's East Asia Voyage 2019 joined optional tours during their visit to Ishinomaki, while the rest enjoyed their free time in the city and surrounding areas. With great support from the local people and authorities, participants of optional tours enjoyed sightseeing while learning about the disaster and community building initiatives in Ishinomaki, Onagawa and Matsushima.

For those participants from other parts of Japan, visiting and listening to the firsthand experience of the disaster offered a valuable insight to understanding the lessons learned. Some visited the Kadowaki Elementary School building and Okawa Elementary School building in Ishinomaki, both of which are designated and preserved as disaster ruins, and listened to the speakers’ talk on what happened at those sites. During a tour to the neighbouring town of Onagawa, the participants learned from the mayor about their unique reconstruction efforts. They also had the chance to try out preparing the local specialty hoya (sea squirt) by themselves.

Photo: SUZUKI Shoichi

As a part of the Global University Special Program, in which participants learn about sustainable societies through the voyage, a group of youth from places including Japan, China, Thailand and Taiwan explored Ishinomaki. They met and discussed with members of the community and organizations that have been working on community building and tackling local issues since the disaster.

Photo: SUZUKI Shoichi

As the departure time approached, a local dance group, Shoyu-kai, performed the Haneko Odori dance on the shore to close the visit. Many fireworks were displayed to see off the Ocean Dream.

We are truly grateful for all the support our partners in Ishinomaki kindly offered to make this visit possible. Peace Boat plans to visit the town again next summer.

Photo: SUZUKI Shoichi