4-Day / 3-Night Coastal Living & Renewal Retreat
Live like a local: Connect with nature, taste fresh ocean gastronomy, experience sacred crafts, and stay with local families.
DAY 1: Arrive, Storytelling & Oceanview Hot Spring
Travel comfortably from Sendai Station to Shizugawa Station in Minamisanriku on a scenic 90-minute direct bus ride.
Enjoy an authentic Japanese lunch in a preserved Edo-period samurai residence, featuring fresh local specialties in a historic setting.
Visit the “Minamisanriku 311 Memorial” and walk through town with a local “KATARIBE” storyteller to hear inspiring tales of recovery and hope.
Visit Minamisanriku Winery overlooking Shizugawa Bay. Take a peaceful stroll along the shore and taste locally produced ocean-breeze wines.
Unwind in a famous open-air hot spring bath merging into the Pacific Ocean, followed by a dinner showcasing fresh Sanriku seafood.
DAY 2: Cross-Bike Cycling, Indigo Craft & Minpaku Stay
Start your day with a tranquil bath as the sun rises over the quiet bay waters, painting the horizon in golden light.
Explore coastal roads and rural villages on a cross-bike, stopping by a local resident’s home for warm conversation.
Cook traditional dishes alongside local hosts using fresh, seasonal ingredients, then enjoy a delicious meal together in a warm, family-style setting.
Experience traditional Japanese indigo dyeing using locally cultivated indigo leaves. Dye your own unique hand-towel souvenir.
Stay with a local fishing or farming family. Prepare and share a home-cooked dinner featuring fresh oysters, octopus, and local sake.
DAY 3: Ocean Aquaculture, Shrine “Kiriko” Craft & Minpaku Stay
Board a local fishing vessel and head into Shizugawa Bay to visit ASC-certified oyster and scallop farms, with a fresh seafood tasting onboard.
Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch by the ocean, taking in scenic panoramic views of Shizugawa Bay’s calm waters and surrounding islands.
Visit a historic local shrine to experience “Kiriko,” a sacred paper-cutting tradition dedicated to Shinto deities. Craft your delicate paper art in a quiet, spiritual environment.
Take a peaceful stroll through the port area at dusk. Return to your host family for a second evening of conversation and local dining.
DAY 4: Bicycle Exploration, Kirakira-don Lunch & Departure
Share a warm, home-cooked breakfast and say a memorable goodbye to your host family, who now feel like old friends.
Ride a rental bicycle freely along the bay. Discover hidden seaside cafes, coastal viewpoints, and local spots at your own leisure.
Enjoy the famous “Kirakira-don” seafood bowl at Sun Sun Village before boarding the direct bus back to Sendai Station.
Travel Support & Guidance for Individual Travelers
- Direct Transportation: A direct express bus operates multiple times a day from Sendai Station to Shizugawa BRT Station, so no transfers are required.
- Dietary Accommodations: Food allergies, vegetarian and vegan preferences, and special menu requests can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact us in advance to discuss your needs.
- Multilingual & Interpreter Support: In addition to translation apps, professional interpreter services can be arranged upon request to assist with communication during your stay.
Plan your visit
Come and see for yourself
Book an experience directly, or talk to us about a programme for your school, university or company.
Follow the town