Taro Tourist Hotel (Earthquake Disaster Site)

Overview

The Taro Tourist Hotel, located in Tao, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, was once a thriving hotel. After being damaged by the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, it was preserved as a disaster-stricken structure to convey the threat of tsunamis. The building remains as it was after the disaster. The first three floors sustained significant damage, with the first and second floors completely gutted, revealing the exposed steel framework. The upper floors (4th floor and above) remain largely intact. A tour of the interior allows visitors to vividly experience the destructive power of the tsunami and the conditions of that day. Viewings of tsunami footage filmed from the hotel are also available. The Taro Tourist Hotel is a powerful place that keeps the memory of the disaster alive and promotes disaster preparedness. Interior access is available through the paid guided tour "Learn Disaster Prevention" offered by the Miyako Tourism and Cultural Exchange Association. This guided tour also includes a viewing of the tsunami footage filmed from the hotel.