The Story ofMichinoku Gold
Sengokubune "Kesenmaru"
気仙丸 | Kesenmaru
LocationOfunato
ContentsDo & See
The “Kesenmaru” is a modern reconstruction of a large wooden Japanese ship (Sengokubune) that was active across Japan from the Edo to Meiji periods. It was built using the traditional “Kesen Daiku” (Kesen Carpenters) techniques passed down in the Kesen region since ancient times, and is a precious cultural asset that conveys these exceptional shipbuilding skills to the present day. Known as a symbol of recovery that overcame the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is currently exhibited on land.
Following a crowdfunding campaign from October to December 2025, the “Kesenmaru Preservation Project” is underway, focusing on waterproofing and repairs to prevent rainwater from entering the ship’s cabins. This project aims to pass on the pride of the master shipwrights, which has transcended both time and the tsunami, to the next generation.
Details
Address
157-10 Chayamae, Ofunato-cho, Ofunato City, Iwate 022-0002
Access by Public Transit
2-minute walk from Ofunato Station (JR Ofunato Line BRT)
Admission
Guided Tour: 5,000 yen for approx. 45 minutes (Capacity: 13 people; reservation required)
Languages
Japanese
Hours
Mid-April – Mid-December, 9:00 – 17:00
Reservation
Required for guided shipboard tours
Closed Days
Weekends/Holidays require consultation. Closed from January to March.
PhoneE
0192-26-2141 (Ofunato Chamber of Commerce, Regional Promotion Department)
