Watarin walking around Watari as Watari's PR Tourism Character
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At a GlanceThere are three (former) towns that make up Watari; Arahama, Okuma, and Yoshida.
Being right on the coast, Watari boasts a decently sized beach. Fortunately, the rebuilding efforts have allowed the town to thrive again despite what the area went through in 2011. Unfortunately, the public transit is not the best, so you'll need a car or taxi to get there. Watari's strawberries are famous throughout Miyagi for their deliciousness! For the true strawberry lover, most fields have an all-you-can-pick-and-eat deal. Harakomeshi (a Miyagi speciality) is available here, and in season is delicious. |
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Let us know if there is something you want us to feature here by emailing us at [email protected]!
Restaurants
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Miharu - ごはんと麺の店 見晴
Ramen restaurant serving all of the classics with a few special additions, like black tanmen. Trattoria Del Sol Italian restaurant located in downtown Watari. If you're looking for a taste of Italy in Japan, here's a place to try out! Mustache Burger - マスタッシュバーガー Looking to fill up after a swim in the ocean? Why not have a juicy hambuger? Located in the parking lot of a local surf shop, they have you covered for your hamburger needs - and at a reasonable price! |
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Cafe Emu - カフェ笑夢
A small cafe located near Torinoumi Park, run by an older couple. They serve only a few dishes, yet what is there is guaranteed to be both delicious and home cooked. Glim Coffee Roaster - グリムコーヒーロースター Quite literally a shack on the side of the road, making it easy to miss. However, if you don't pass by it and stop in, you'll be greeted with the smell of freshly roasted coffee which you can have a cup of for a very reasonable price. Kuro no Tachi Neko - クロの立ち猫 One of the more...unusual cafe in the area. Here you can read BL manga (they have 3,700 volumes and growing!) to your heart's content. They have a pay-by-hour system, so you choose the time frame you'd like to stay and go from there. You can read more here. Aoi Tomato - 青いとまと A small cafe located near Okuma station - they serve all the classic Japanese cafe items, from parfait to pasta. There's even a small baked goods section. Cafe Pinokio - カフェピノキオ Small cafe located near Watari station. |
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Arahama - あら浜
A very popular sushi restaurant on the road to Torinoumi Park. They sell all kinds of fish dishes, including the above mentioned harakomeshi. All of it is very fresh and very edible. Kaisen - 和風れすと海仙 Another popular sushi restaurant in Watari. They specialise in harakomeshi, along with rotating out what fish are on offer as they come into season. Denen - 田園 Famed for their harakomeshi (a Miyagi specialty), this store usually has long lines on the weekends, especially during the fall season. However, they also serve other Miyagi specialties such as surf clam rice bowls and fresh Miyagi seafood throughout the year. |
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Miyagi Lapras Pokelid - Swablu, Taillow, Starly, and Pidove
Did you know that Miyagi's Ambassador Pokemon is Lapras? There are 35 decorative Lapras Manhole Covers all over the Sanriku Coast of Miyagi! |
Point of Interest
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Sanjūsangendō Government Offices Site - 三十三間堂官衙遺跡
Designated as National Historical Site this is the site of old Heian Period buildings. There's not much there now besides a stone marker but neat to know about nonetheless. Yurikan - 悠里館 The public library for Watari located next to the station. Unlike most other libraries though, this one is constructed to look just like a Japanese castle - complete with a free museum on the ground floor, full of samurai armour and other artifacts. The fifth floor is an observatory where you can see the coastline and layout of Watari! |
Shrines
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Watari Shrine - 亘理神社
The shrine for the town of Watari. Built atop what was at one point a small castle, it offers some view over the town |
Parks
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Torinoumi Park - 鳥の海公園
This park consists of a baseball field, soccer field, and several public areas. It was rebuilt after the 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake after everything was washed away. There are several memorial areas around the park and you can find a Miyagi Lapras Pokelid here as well! |
Beaches
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Yoshida Beach - 吉田浜
You can surf here but are no facilities such as toilets or showers here. This is primarily a fishing beach but it is pretty to walk along. It has been cleaned up significantly. There are some surf shops nearby like "SURF TRITON" and "REAL SURF" |
Shopping Centers
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Ookuma Fureai Center - おおくまふれあいセンター
The Ookuma Fureai Center is a a giant farmers market that sells fresh flowers, vegetables, and fruits! The building is old fashioned but you can find thigns for very cheap here! If you wanted to try some of Watari's strawberries try buying them here! |
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Torinoumi Onsen Hotel - わたり温泉 海の鳥
A natural onsen located right on the shoreline. You don't need to be a hotel guest to enter the hot springs, though you do need to arrive before mid-afternoon. Very new, and very refreshing. |
