Minami Sanriku Hamare Utatsu

Minami Sanriku Hamare Utatsu is a reconstruction shopping village in the Utatsu district of Minamisanriku Town, located in the far northeastern corner of Miyagi Prefecture along the scenic Sanriku coast. The facility was built on a site raised by 10 meters following the devastation caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Opened in 2017, it serves as a permanent successor to the temporary Isatomae Fukko Shopping Street that operated after the disaster.

Renowned architect Kengo Kuma designed the market using traditional Japanese construction methods and local Sanriku cedar, featuring large eaves that extend beyond the main structure to create an Engawa, a semi-outdoor corridor typical of Japanese houses. The facility sits approximately 7 meters above sea level, and the architectural design deliberately maintains a connection between the sea and visitors despite the elevated position. The name "Hamare" derives from local dialect meaning "Come and join us! Let's be friends!" while also combining "hama" (beach) and "mare" (sea in Italian).

Visitors can explore local shops offering regional products, clothing, electronics, and dining options featuring local seafood. The adjacent Kamome-kan displays a notable artifact: a postbox from Utatsu that was washed away by the tsunami and drifted ashore on Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture a year and nine months later. The facility serves as both a commercial center and a symbol of the community's resilience, with residents known for their warm hospitality and strong community bonds. The shopping village hosts seasonal events including the annual Utatsu Summer Festival featuring performances, dancing, and fireworks.

Access to Hamare Utatsu is convenient from JR Kesennuma Line BRT Utatsu Station, located approximately 1 minute walk from the facility. The address is 100-4 Utatsu-isatomae, Minamisanriku Town, Motoyoshi District, Miyagi 988-0453. For inquiries, contact +81 226-36-3117. There is no admission fee to enter the shopping village. The surrounding area offers views of the distinctive rias coastline and access to other reconstruction memorial sites documenting the region's recovery from the 2011 disaster.