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Sanriku Coast driving guide: Jodogahama, Goishi Coast, Ogama, Kitayamazaki and map

Drive the Sanriku Coast from Jodogahama in Miyako to Minamisanriku, with a route map, Kitayamazaki, Unosu Cliff and Ryusendo Cave, toll and free sections of the Sanriku Expressway, parking, night closures, access and fuel.

Edited by Drive Scape Japan · Updated: · Sources verified:

Where the Sanriku Coast area is (Iwate, Miyagi)
First drive

From Jodogahama in Miyako via Goishi Coast, Ogama and Iwaisaki to Minamisanriku: about 192 km and 3 hours 20 minutes of driving.

Sanriku Expressway tolls

Free north of Naruse-Okumatsushima IC. Sendaiko-kita IC–Naruse-Okumatsushima IC is tolled.

Closures

Ofunato-Goishikaigan IC–Ofunato IC closes on weeknights, 21:00–06:00, through 13 November. Kamaishi-chuo IC–Otsuchi IC closes on 4 November, 10:00–12:00.

As of 2 November 2026.

Driving time

From Sendai Station
about 3 h 20 min230 km
From Morioka Stationif you rent a car on arrival
about 1 h 20 min88 km

Times to Jodogahama, calculated from map data without traffic.

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Closures and weather change day by day, so check these pages before you set off.

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The Sanriku Coast runs along the Pacific side of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Heading south, you pass Miyako, Yamada, Ofunato and Rikuzentakata in Iwate before entering Kesennuma and Minamisanriku in Miyagi.

This guide follows a day along that stretch. Kitayamazaki, Unosu Cliff and Ryusendo Cave, in Tanohata and Iwaizumi to the north, are also included in the lists of roads and places to stop.

Map of the Sanriku Coast

  • Views and nature
  • Roadside stations
  1. 1Jodogahama
  2. 2Michi-no-Eki Yamada Oisuta
  3. 3Michi-no-Eki Sanriku
  4. 4Goishi Coast
  5. 5Michi-no-Eki Takatamatsubara
  6. 6Ogama (Oreishi)
  7. 7Iwaisaki
  8. 8Michi-no-Eki Oya Kaigan
  9. 9Michi-no-Eki Sansan Minamisanriku
  10. 10Hanzo
  11. 11Kamiwarizaki
  12. 12Sanno-iwa
  13. 13Kitayamazaki
  14. 14Unosu Cliff
  15. 15Ryusendo Cave
  16. 16Takata Matsubara Memorial Park
  17. 17Michi-no-Eki Tanohata

Line: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9

The line follows the full-day route from Jodogahama to Minamisanriku below. Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: Jodogahama to Minamisanriku in a day

From Jodogahama in Miyako, head south, stopping at the roadside stations Michi-no-Eki Yamada Oisuta and Michi-no-Eki Sanriku. Pass Goishi Coast in Ofunato and Michi-no-Eki Takatamatsubara, then enter the Karakuwa Peninsula for Ogama. Continue to Iwaisaki in Kesennuma and Michi-no-Eki Oya Kaigan, and finish at Michi-no-Eki Sansan Minamisanriku.

The route is about 192 km, with around 3 hours 20 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic.

The route uses Route 45 and the Sanriku Expressway. All Sanriku Expressway sections on this route are free.

On the Sanriku Expressway, Ofunato-Goishikaigan IC–Ofunato IC closes on weeknights, 21:00–06:00, through 13 November. Kamaishi-chuo IC–Otsuchi IC closes on 4 November, 10:00–12:00.

North: Kitayamazaki, Unosu Cliff and Ryusendo Cave

North of Miyako is a route for a separate day. From Jodogahama, visit Sanno-iwa, Unosu Cliff and Kitayamazaki, then pass Michi-no-Eki Tanohata and continue to Ryusendo Cave.

The route is about 98 km, with around 1 hour 50 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic.

Kitayamazaki and Unosu Cliff are both 200 m high, and entry is free. Kitayamazaki's first observation deck and the Unosu Cliff deck can be reached from the car parks without steps. The Unosu Cliff deck is about 500 m from the car park.

Ryusendo Cave costs ¥1,100 for adults. From 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027 it closes at 16:00.

Toll and free sections of the Sanriku Expressway

The Sanriku Expressway runs 359 km from Sendai to Hachinohe. Sendaiko-kita IC–Naruse-Okumatsushima IC is tolled, and everything north of Naruse-Okumatsushima IC is free. The Miyako–Morioka Cross Road from Morioka to Miyako is also free. On the Kamaishi Expressway, Hanamaki JCT–Towa IC is tolled and the section from Towa IC to Kamaishi is free.

The Sanriku Expressway has half interchanges that allow entry or exit in one direction only.

Roads you can drive

Road What to expect Length and cost Hours and restrictions
E45 Sanriku Expressway North–south along the coast from Sendai to Hachinohe 359 km. Sendaiko-kita IC–Naruse-Okumatsushima IC is tolled; free north of there Ofunato-Goishikaigan IC–Ofunato IC closed on weeknights, 21:00–06:00, through 13 November. Kamaishi-chuo IC–Otsuchi IC closed on 4 November, 10:00–12:00
National Route 45 Runs alongside the Sanriku Expressway Free In heavy snow it can close at the same time as the Sanriku Expressway
Miyako–Morioka Cross Road, National Route 106 From Morioka to Miyako 66 km; free —
E46 Kamaishi Expressway From Hanamaki JCT to Kamaishi Hanamaki JCT–Towa IC tolled; free from Towa IC towards Kamaishi Towa IC–Esashi-Tase IC closed in the direction of Hanamaki, 12–18 November, 08:30–17:00 (scheduled)
National Route 455 From Morioka to Ryusendo Cave in Iwaizumi Free About 110 minutes from Morioka to Ryusendo Cave
National Route 398 From the Shizugawa IC side to Kamiwarizaki Free About 25 minutes from Shizugawa IC to Kamiwarizaki
Miyagi Kenpoku Expressway From Kurihara to Tome; entry from the Tohoku Expressway side 24 km; free —

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

No. Place Parking What to know
1 Jodogahama Car parks 1–4: 413 cars Miyako. 15 minutes' walk from the car park. General traffic cannot use the park road from 1 April to 31 October
4 Goishi Coast 79 ordinary cars, free Ofunato. Information centre 08:30–17:15. Three minutes' walk to the Kaminari-iwa and Ranbo-dani viewing decks
6 Ogama (Oreishi) 30 spaces Karakuwa Peninsula. Oreishi is a marble pillar 16 m high and 3 m wide
7 Iwaisaki 30 spaces Hashikami in Kesennuma. Seawater spouts through cracks in the limestone. Fossils may not be collected
10 Hanzo 30 spaces Karakuwa Peninsula. Coastal walking path and rest house
11 Kamiwarizaki About 100 spaces nearby, free Minamisanriku. About 25 minutes from Shizugawa IC. Usually in mid-February and late October the sun rises between the rocks
12 Sanno-iwa 17 cars Taro in Miyako. Otoko-iwa is 37 m high. Seven minutes from Taro-minami IC. Toilets at the car park
13 Kitayamazaki Available Tanohata. Free entry. 736 steps from the first observation deck down to sea level. About 19 minutes from Tanohata-kita IC
14 Unosu Cliff Available Tanohata. Free entry. About 500 m to the deck, without steps
15 Ryusendo Cave First 80, second 47, Shindo Science Museum 20, third 295 Iwaizumi. Adults ¥1,100. 08:30–17:00 from October to April (until 16:00 from December to February). About 10°C inside
16 Takata Matsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park Free Rikuzentakata. Free entry. Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Memorial Museum 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)

Roadside stations

No. Roadside station Parking What to know
2 Michi-no-Eki Yamada Oisuta 130 ordinary cars Yamada. 09:00–18:00
3 Michi-no-Eki Sanriku 81 ordinary cars Sanriku in Ofunato. 09:00–18:00
5 Michi-no-Eki Takatamatsubara 227 ordinary cars, free, 24 hours Rikuzentakata. 09:00–17:00 from October to March; 09:00–18:00 from April to September. Toilets 24 hours
8 Michi-no-Eki Oya Kaigan 52 ordinary cars Motoyoshi in Kesennuma. 09:30–17:30. Closed 31 December–2 January
9 Michi-no-Eki Sansan Minamisanriku 249 ordinary cars, free Minamisanriku. Tourist information 09:00–17:00 (until 16:00 from December to February). Shopping street hours vary by shop
17 Michi-no-Eki Tanohata 46 ordinary cars Tanohata. 09:00–17:00 (varies by facility). Closed 31 December–1 January

Best seasons and crowds

Season Highlights and cautions
Mid-February The sun rises between the rocks at Kamiwarizaki
1 April–31 October General traffic cannot use the Jodogahama park road
Late October The sun rises between the rocks at Kamiwarizaki
1 December–28 February Ryusendo Cave closes at 16:00 (winter 2026–27)

Sunset in Morioka is at 16:34 on 1 November and 16:20 on 15 November.

Busy places and times

  • At Jodogahama, shuttle buses run on weekends and holidays during the period when the park road is closed to general traffic.
  • At Ryusendo Cave, the route inside becomes one-way at busy times.

Roads and restrictions checked on 2 November 2026

  • On the Sanriku Expressway, Ofunato-Goishikaigan IC–Ofunato IC closes on weeknights, 21:00–06:00, through 13 November.
  • Kamaishi-chuo IC–Otsuchi IC closes on 4 November, 10:00–12:00.
  • Weeknight closures, 21:00–06:00, are also scheduled for Kahoku IC–Monotsuyama IC on 2–6 November, Monotsuyama IC–Mitakido IC on 9–13 November, Mitakido IC–Utatsu IC on 16–20 November and Naruse-Okumatsushima IC–Ishinomakiko IC on 24–27 November.
  • In heavy snow, Route 45 and the Sanriku Expressway can close at the same time.

Getting there and fuel

Starting point Approximate drive
Morioka-minami IC 120 minutes to Jodogahama
Morioka About 110 minutes to Ryusendo Cave on Route 455
Miyako About 60 minutes to Ryusendo Cave
Ichinoseki IC About 90 minutes to Goishi Coast; 1 hour 40 minutes to Ogama
Mizusawa IC About 90 minutes to Goishi Coast
Sendai About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours to Sansan Shopping Village

On the Sanriku Expressway, filling stations are near these ICs. Distances from the IC are Taro-minami 1.0 km, Yamada-minami 1.4 km, Kamaishi-chuo 0.4 km, Ofunato 0.1 km, Ofunato-Goishikaigan 0.1 km, Kesennuma-chuo 0.9 km and Shizugawa 0.2 km (as of April 2026).

Michi-no-Eki Takatamatsubara has two EV chargers.

Driving on snow with normal tyres is subject to penalties. Fit winter tyres for snowy conditions.

If you don't have a car

Use the Iwate rental-car listings to find a pickup location. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sanriku Expressway free?

It is free north of Naruse-Okumatsushima IC. Sendaiko-kita IC–Naruse-Okumatsushima IC is tolled.

Where should I drive with one day on the Sanriku Coast?

Leave Jodogahama in Miyako and pass Goishi Coast, Ogama and Iwaisaki on the way to Minamisanriku. The route is about 192 km, with around 3 hours 20 minutes of driving.

Can I visit Kitayamazaki and Ryusendo Cave on the same day?

Yes. From Jodogahama via Sanno-iwa, Unosu Cliff and Kitayamazaki to Ryusendo Cave is about 98 km, with around 1 hour 50 minutes of driving.

Where do I park for Jodogahama?

Use car parks 1–4, which hold 413 cars. The beach is 15 minutes' walk away. General traffic cannot use the park road from 1 April to 31 October.

When does Ryusendo Cave close?

It closes at 17:00 from October to April and at 18:00 from May to September. From 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027 it closes at 16:00. High water can also close the cave.

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Sources & verification

Last verified: 2026-11-02

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