Sanriku Railway Miyako Station

Sanriku Railway Miyako Station serves as a vital transportation hub along Japan's dramatic Pacific coastline in Iwate Prefecture. The station is part of the Sanriku Railway Rias Line, which stretches 163 kilometers between Kuji and Sakari stations, making it Japan's longest third-sector railway line. This railway holds profound significance as a symbol of coastal resilience, having been rebuilt after the devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami that destroyed much of the region's infrastructure.

The station building itself embodies the community's recovery spirit. Miyako Station was reconstructed and reopened in 2019, featuring a modern design that incorporates disaster prevention measures while maintaining accessibility for travelers. The facility houses both JR East's Yamada Line platforms and Sanriku Railway platforms, creating an integrated transit point for exploring the Sanriku Coast, renowned for its rugged cliffs, deep inlets, and spectacular ocean vistas characteristic of a rias coastline formation.

Visitors to Miyako Station can experience the Sanriku Railway's unique hospitality trains, including seasonal themed services that showcase local cuisine and culture. The railway journey itself offers unparalleled coastal scenery, with trains running close to dramatic shoreline cliffs and passing through numerous tunnels carved into mountainsides. The station area provides access to Jodogahama Beach, located approximately 5 kilometers northeast, considered one of Japan's most beautiful coastal landscapes with white pebble beaches and striking rock formations.

The station connects to Tokyo via the JR Yamada Line to Morioka, then the Tohoku Shinkansen to Tokyo, with total travel time approximately 5 hours. Local buses depart from the station forecourt to major attractions including Jodogahama Beach and the city center. There is no admission fee to access the station, though railway tickets are required for train travel. The Sanriku Railway Day Pass offers unlimited travel along the entire Rias Line.