Kesennuma City, located at the northeastern tip of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, faces the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Sanriku Coast. It is renowned for its rugged and intricately shaped coastline. The city features scenic natural landscapes such as Kesennuma Bay, the Karakuwa Peninsula, Iwaisaki, and Oshima Island. The deeply indented coastlines and calm bays support both a thriving fishing industry and growing tourism appeal.
Since the Edo period, Kesennuma was part of the Date Clan’s Sendai Domain, and has long had deep geographical and cultural ties with what is now southern Iwate Prefecture, including cities like Ōfunato, Rikuzentakata, and inland Ichinoseki. Strategically located in southern Sanriku, Kesennuma serves as a central hub for transportation, commerce, and culture in the region.
Designated as a Class III Special Fishing Port by the Japanese government, Kesennuma Port is one of the most important fishing hubs in the Sanriku region. It supports coastal and aquaculture fisheries, and ventures into one of the world's three major fishing grounds—the offshore Sanriku waters. The city has developed a complete fisheries industry chain including deep-sea fishing, seafood processing, and shipbuilding. Fishing vessels, fishermen, and even foreign trainees from all over Japan and overseas come to Kesennuma to work and exchange knowledge. Seasonal fleets follow the migration of bonito and Pacific saury, filling the city with dynamic energy throughout the year.
Due to its unique geographical and industrial features, Kesennuma has become a diverse city with people from across Japan and abroad. One local specialty, Kesennuma Horumon (grilled pork offal), originates from the culinary culture of the local working-class fishing communities, showcasing the city’s rich lifestyle and cultural identity.
However, on March 11, 2011, Kesennuma was severely impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake, suffering not only from the earthquake itself, but also a devastating tsunami, fires (tsunami-related), and land subsidence. In the aftermath, the city underwent large-scale reconstruction and recovery efforts. Today, its rebuilding serves as a notable example of community and industrial revitalization, and a case study in disaster resilience and recovery.