About that person and Kesennuma.

Last September,Kesennuma Minato Ambassador", Hello! Project's idol group "アンジュルム" Rikako Sasaki. Sasaki is from Kesennuma City and was formerly a member of the local idol group "SCK GIRLS." She is currently an exclusive model for the fashion magazine "CanCam" and has been active nationwide, appearing on popular variety shows.

This time, we had Sasaki tour the area and asked him about his memories of the city and his feelings about his hometown.

The smell of the sea that reminds me

Kesennuma is a seaside town overlooking the Sanriku coast, one of the world's leading fishing grounds. It boasts some of the highest catches of bonito, pacific saury, swordfish, and sharks in the country. Fishing and the marine products industry are the town's main industries. Sasaki-san lived in this town until he was in the fifth grade of elementary school.

▲He boarded the boat wearing a raincoat, just like the fishermen wear! It suited him well.

"When I got on the boat, the smell reminded me of the seafood processing factory I used to go to often when I was little. I remember how the people working there loved me back then. I wondered if everyone was doing well."
For Sasaki, who spent his childhood surrounded by Kesennuma-esque scenery, the smell of the sea is a trigger that brings back memories of that time.
Take a deep breath while feeling the sea breeze on your whole body on the boat and your mind and body will instantly be in Kesennuma mode.

▲"Breathing in the natural air and interacting with warm people. That's the best thing when you're tired!" she says with a relaxed expression.

Souvenirs include "Hoya Boya" goods

Kesennuma's tourism mascot "Sea squirt boy" is popular for its cute, round eyes and expression, which is hard to imagine from the image of the sea squirt as a seafood. The "Hoya Boya Shop," which sells such goods, is located next to Kesennuma City Fish Market,sea ​​cityIt's on the first floor.

▲ Everywhere you look there are Hoya Boya. Mr. Sasaki also enjoyed his personal shopping.

"The Hoya Boya shop was great! Today was the first time I actually got to see all the merchandise. I bought socks, a mug, an earpick, and a clip."
During a break in filming, Sasaki-san was standing in line at the cash register with 10 pairs of socks in his hands! 10 pairs means... could that be?
"I also bought souvenirs for the members of Angerme. Local socks are currently popular among the members, and they gave me socks with characters from the places where they were born and raised."
The Hoya Boya socks are perfect as souvenirs for all the members of Angerme. They have a very cute design, so be sure to check them out.
While Sasaki was enjoying some private shopping, Hoya Boya came to welcome him!

▲A shot of two cute Hoya Boys?

Hoya Boya often appears in TV dramas and movies related to Kesennuma, and is working hard to promote Kesennuma nationwide! I wonder if Hoya Boya has the ambition to co-star with Sasaki-san one day?
When we asked Sasaki if there was anything he would like to do with Hoya Boya, he replied, "I'd like to dance together!" I would love to see Hoya Boya take on the challenge of collaborating with a top idol.

A garden-like place

The Sea Market where the Hoyaboya shop is located is a complex with a variety of tenants. Mr. Sasaki says it's one of his favorite places to visit for a long time, so much so that he calls it his "garden."

▲A commemorative photo in front of the great white shark model at the Shark Museum. 100 different expressions!

"At Umi-no-ichi, you can enjoy the Shark Museum and the Ice Aquarium, and those who want to buy souvenirs and those who want to eat fish will be satisfied. If you don't know where to go, this is the place to go first."
As Sasaki-san says, Umi-no-ichi is a highly recommended place for first-time visitors to Kesennuma. On the first floor, there are shops selling various souvenirs, a fish shop where you can buy and have fresh fish delivered, and a restaurant, and at the tourist information center on the second floor, you can ask the staff for tourist information directly. Please feel free to stop by.

I love the sea after all

Kesennuma has not only a fishing port, but also beautiful beaches nearby where you can swim. This year, four beaches in the city reopened for the first time since the earthquake. All of the beaches have the highest water quality, rated "AA." They have also been selected as one of the "4 Best Swimming Beaches" by the Ministry of the Environment.

▲On the beach in the evening. The sea always shows a different look at any time.

"When I was little, I used to go to Oisehama."
Memories of Mr. Sasaki remainIsehama Beach" is a popular swimming beach for local families, with a shallow sandy beach. This year, the beach reopened for the first time in 12 years. Nearby is "IwaizakiThere is a cape called "Isehama" and a magnificent view spreads out before you. This time, I will not be visiting Isehama, but the nearbyOtani BeachI went to the beach and took some photos.
Kesennuma means the sea! And Angerme means the sea! Fans, I wonder if that makes sense. During the interview, Sasaki said, "I want to go to the sea with everyone again!" because it's a regular event for all the Angerme members to go to the sea together. For Sasaki, the sea has always been close to her, and it remains a special place to her.

▲Check out the new souvenirs. From classics to new products, all souvenirs from Kesennuma.

With the sea of ​​Otani Coast right in front of you,Roadside Station Otani Coast" was recently renovated in 2021. With the theme of "All Kesennuma," it offers a wide selection of ingredients and local products from Kesennuma, as well as products that convey the charm of Kesennuma.
"New, unknown shops and facilities are popping up all the time! Thanks to the efforts of so many people in Kesennuma, the number of wonderful places is increasing and the town is evolving."

Kesennuma: A place I want to show everyone

Overlooking the calm waters of the inner bayUkimidoRepair work was completed in 2020, and it has become a popular tourist spot as a walking course over the sea.
Fishing boats are always moored at the quay that can be seen from Ukimido, and the port is also the place to see off ships leaving land and to welcome ships returning from far-flung overseas destinations. Kesennuma is also a home port where "take a look" and "welcome back" are exchanged.

▲A promenade that makes you feel like you're strolling on the sea. It's nice to just relax and gaze out at the ocean.

When we asked Sasaki-san, "What is an experience that can only be had in Kesennuma?", he mentioned the Hamarainya Dance, which takes place at the Kesennuma Minato Festival, a summer tradition. The Hamarainya Dance is the main event of the festival, where each team dances through the town in their own unique costumes and choreography.
"I was able to participate in Hamarainya dance once since I came to Tokyo. It was really fun, and I'd love to get together with everyone again."
Did anyone realize that it was Sasaki who had suddenly joined? However, this dance is one that anyone can join. "Hamarainya" means "Let's do it together" or "Let's join in" in Kesennuma dialect. The welcoming spirit of the port town is also evident in this.

The warmth of the people who greet those who are alone with "Hamarainya" and wave "Welcome back" and "Have a good trip" to the boats passing by is another Kesennuma specialty. Perhaps the roots of Sasaki-san, who is as cheerful as a sunflower, can be found in such a place.

For those who are interested in visiting Kesennuma, we recommend Kesennuma City's free tourist app, the Kesennuma Crew Card App. With this app, you can easily search for the latest information that will be useful for walking around the city and sightseeing, such as seasonal recommendations and tourist spots in Kesennuma. It also has a route guidance function, so it's a great companion for traveling. We asked Sasaki-san to try it out.
"I often check out shops on my smartphone, so having the map function is super convenient! The members of ANGERME have also said they want to go to Kesennuma, so I'd like to tell them one day that "this shop is recommended" or "this is a place that brings back memories."
We hope that Mr. Sasaki, who usually lives away from Kesennuma, will be able to get the latest information about Kesennuma from this app!

(Photo: Sugawara Daiji)

[Download the app here]

Kesennuma City's "Hometown Support DonationsAs part of this initiative, Crew Points are also available as a reward, redeemable at Crewship affiliated stores in Kesennuma.
You can also use it when traveling to Kesennuma, and it can be used in stores just like cash.

[For more details, please click here]

Appointed as "Minato Kesennuma Ambassador"!

*Rikako Sasaki also helped promote Kesennuma City's hometown tax donation! More details will be posted on this website at a later date.
*Please refrain from reproducing any photos or text without permission.