Kesennuma city's first sunrise viewing spots for 2026

We will introduce some recommended spots in Kesennuma City where you can see the first sunrise of the New Year in 2026.
Enjoy the New Year's atmosphere by watching the first sunrise of the year rising from the sea.

*The first sunrise in Kesennuma city is around 6:52am.

1. Cape Iwai

Iwaizaki, designated as part of the Sanriku Reconstruction National Park, is located about a 25-minute drive from the center of Kesennuma. It is a tourist spot with a wide open horizon, lined with the Dragon Pine, the Spouting Rock, and a statue of the sumo wrestler "Hidenoyama Raigoro" from Kesennuma.

First sunrise event at Iwaizaki

Why not welcome in the new year of 8 with a happy start at Iwaizaki, Kesennuma, where you can see some of the most spectacular sunrises in Miyagi Prefecture?
The Kesennuma City Hashikami Tourism Association will be holding a "First Sunrise Event" from 6:00 to 7:00.

The Kesennuma City Tourism Association Hashikami Branch will be holding a special event at Iwaizaki to celebrate the start of the new year. (The photo shows a previous event.)
We will be serving sacred sake and oshiruko (sweet red bean soup with Iwaizaki salt), everyone's favorite "mochimaki" (rice cakes rolled with rice cakes), and, in honor of the Year of the Horse, we will be handing out 1000 "Umaibo" (sweet sticks) to all attendees with the hope that all things go well.
In addition, several stores are scheduled to open, and the Hashikami branch will be selling Iwaizaki salt (New Year's limited edition, Fukushio). The Iwaizaki Akedo Toramai Uchibayashi Preservation Society will also be performing Uchibayashi and Toramai at sunrise.
Get your head capriciously clad in the auspicious tiger and drive away evil spirits! Pray for good health and safety.

Click here for event details.

2. Ukimido and Isuzu Shrine

Isuzu Shrine, located in the Ukimido area of ​​the inner bay, is a spot where you can view the first sunrise over the inner bay.

Visiting a shrine and watching the first sunrise of the year is sure to make for a wonderful start to the year.

It might be nice to relax and enjoy the view at the shrine's office cafe, "Shinmeizaki Fukufuku."

3. Mt. Hayama - Isaribi Park and Hayama Shrine -

Next year is the Year of the Horse! Why not visit Mt. Hayama in Karakuwa to pray? Isaribi Park, located halfway up Mt. Hayama, is a popular spot to see the first sunrise of the year, visited by many locals every year. From this spot, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the first sunrise of the year.

Also, Hayama Shrine, a 7-minute drive from Isaribi Park, has a sacred horse statue called "Nadeuma" on its grounds.

Therefore, at Hayama Shrine in Karakuwa, horse-related items such as "Special Goshuin (red seal) for the Year of the Horse," "Horse fortune-telling slips," and "Gogo-ema (votive plaques) for success" will be available for purchase. Please join us in praying for a successful year.

Name of facility

Hayama Shrine

Address

Miyagi Prefecture Kesennuma City Karakuwa Town Shukuura 75

Contact Us

0226-32-2321 (Hayama Shrine)

Parking Information

50 spaces

4. Osaki

Misaki, located at the southernmost tip of the Karakuwa Peninsula, is a cape known for the scenery of the rough waves of the open ocean crashing on the shore. Nearby is Misaki Shrine, which has a 1000-year history and is said to bring good luck in terms of praying for a good catch, safe voyages, and finding a partner. There is a promenade around the cape, but please be careful as it can be slippery due to snow and ice in the cold season.

5. Tatsumaizaki

Tatsumaizaki is located at the southern tip of Kesennuma Oshima and is one of the island's most famous scenic spots. If you walk along the promenade, you will reach Tatsumaizaki Lighthouse at the tip of the cape. The name comes from the fact that the violent waves crashing against the rocks look like a dragon soaring up. Please be careful as the area can be slippery due to snow and ice in the cold season.

※About Kameyama

Due to maintenance work currently being carried out at Kameyama, the Kameyama parking lot is closed and access to the summit is restricted.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our visitors, and we appreciate your cooperation in keeping us safe.
Starting in fiscal year 6, construction of the summit terrace and monorail will be underway, and access methods may change during this period. Please check the city's announcements for the latest information.
The outline of the Kameyama Development Project is as follows:click here(Redirects to Kesennuma City's official website)
How was it?
Basically, Kesennuma is on the Pacific Ocean side, so you can see the first sunrise from the sea from anywhere along the coast.
On this refreshing first day, I wish you good health and prosperity!