Former Onagawa Police Box, A Remnant of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Preserving the memories and lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake for the future

The former Onagawa Police Box is a two-story reinforced-concrete building whose foundation was ripped out of the ground by the receding tsunami wave produced by the Greart East Japan Earthquake. It is one of the rare cases in the world where a reinforced-concrete building collapsed or was topped over by a tsunami. 

Local authorities decided to preserve the site in order to pass on the memories and lessons of the disaster, highlight the progress of reconstruction, and ensure that future generations will not experience the same grief. 

On the wall surrounding the former police box, panels describing the town before the earthquake, the damage caused by the disaster, and the process of the reconstruction are displayed.

General Information

Address
宮城県牡鹿郡女川町海岸通り(海岸広場内)
Directions
3-minute walk from JR Onagawa Station (JR Ishinomaki Line)
About 30 minutes by car from Ishinomaki-Onagawa Interchange (Sanriku Expressway)
Car Park
Town parking lots around the station

Contact

Contact
Onagawa Town Hall Planning Department
Telephone Number
0225-54-3131