Miyako’s recovery fuels tourism growth with cruise ship arrivals

A port city devastated by the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami is developing as a tourism destination thanks to growing interest from international cruises.

In 2011, Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, was hit by 40m-high waves that caused widespread loss of life and destruction to buildings and infrastructure. In the years since, reconstruction has been followed by the development and promotion of tourism resources to attract visitors.

The area’s natural beauty is one of the assets that has attracted the attention of cruise ships, with Jodogahama Beach, Ryusendo Cave, and Sanriku Geopark featured on shore excursion itineraries.

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Muse and Silver Whisper first called at Miyako in 2023, while Silver Nova made its inaugural port call in 2024, following initial discussions in 2018, according to the commerce,…