Private jet charter to Kamaishi
The city of Kamaishi sits halfway along northern Honshu’s beautiful Sanriku coast. Following the discovery of iron deposits in the late 19th Century, the city grew to become one of the country’s most important steel and shipbuilding settlements. Today, Kamaishi still bears some of the scars left by the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and resulting tsunami, but you can’t keep this small yet resilient city down. Get a fast quote from Air Charter Service to charter a private jet to Kamaishi.
Kamaishi’s iron and steel industry heritage is hard to miss, with many of its top attractions reflecting the area’s importance during the country’s industrial revolution and beyond. The Iron History Museum may sound a little dry, but provides a deeper insight into the city’s past. The museum documents the city’s history from the discovery of magnetite in the surrounding mountains, with highlights including a large blast furnace model and an observation lounge overlooking the rugged Sanriku coast. Approximately 12 miles west in the beautiful pine-clad mountains is the site of the country’s first blast furnace, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city’s second industry is fishing, with oysters and Japanese scallops being the main catch. As well as sampling some of the freshest seafood available in restaurants and sushi joints, you can head up to the small rocky peninsula south of the city harbour where Kamaishi Daikannon – an image of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy – stands and watches over the fishermen heading out to sea. While here, you can climb to the head of the statue and enjoy far-reaching views out over the Pacific Ocean and local coastline.
Kamaishi is famous for its iron, fish and rugby, and its residents certainly live and breath the latter of the three. Local union team the Kamaishi Seawaves (replacing Nippon Steel Corporation Kamaishi, who were one of Japan’s most successful amateur teams) is in the country’s second highest league. The new Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the tragedy, is one of the 12 stadiums to be used for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. That’s big news for a city that has just 36,000 residents. If you happen to be in Kamaishi when a match is taking place, it’s well worth getting yourself a ticket to feel the excitement of live sport and to see how the team has brought hope back to the city. Rugby has given those who live here a great sense of pride and togetherness over the last 50 years, particularly since the tsunami.
This waterfront city is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including mountains to the west and spectacular coastal scenery to the north and south. The Sanriku Fukko National Park runs along the east coast of the Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi provinces. It covers land that was badly damaged in 2011 and where many towns and villages are still being restored. Once the public transport lines and roads have reopened in the not-to-distant future, much of the northern part of the park will open up to those living and staying in Kamaishi. If you rent a car, you can also reach some of the most beautiful stretches to the south relatively easily. We recommend witnessing the jagged granite rocks that have been shaped by the wild Pacific waves at Ohakozaki on the Hakozaki Peninsula or travelling onwards to the breathtaking Goishi Coast. This three-mile-long coastline boasts pebbly beaches, rugged cliffs and rock formations such as the three-arched Anatoshi-iso, as well as the Goishi Misaki lighthouse.
Head inland and you’ll soon reach the Kitakami Highlands, home to Mount Goyo, the highest mountain on the Sanriku Coast. The prefectural park that encompasses the mountain is a favourite with walkers and nature lovers. Follow the six-mile path through old-growth oak and walnut forests, under the canopy of cedar trees and past azaleas and rhododendron plants to the ‘Top of Iwate’, where you can enjoy panoramic views over the seashore and local countryside. If you’re lucky, you may even spot Sika deer and monkeys as you hike.
Kamaishi’s nearest airport is Iwate Hanamaki Airport, approximately two hours away by train and an hour and a half by road. Simply contact our team and we’ll arrange everything you need to charter a private jet to Kamaishi.
