Fires occurred in various stricken areas caused by damage to propane gas cylinders and automobiles swept along by the tsunami due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. This former school is open to the public as the only remaining building damaged by tsunami fires. Records showing that the Ishinomaki Plain was hit repeatedly by tsunamis throughout history are also on display, and lessons from the earthquake are conveyed through videos as well as actual items and the testimonies of people who survived the disaster.
More than 500 citizens died in the Minamihama and Kadonowaki areas, but the children and teachers who were at the school when the earthquake struck evacuated to Mt. Hiyori as they had been trained to do, and many lives were saved. This is a good reminder of the importance of evacuation to protect lives, including evacuation drills during normal times, and the importance of knowing the area.
It is not possible to enter the main school building, but the interior can be seen from an external passageway. In the adjoining indoor playground, vehicles crushed and twisted by the tsunami are on display, along with a restored prefabricated unit once used for temporary housing.
Ishinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Memorial Park and MEET Kadonowaki are also nearby, so it is easy to visit all three.

Languages available: English, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Korean
• Some exhibits are written in both Japanese and English.
• A tablet can be rented (for a fee) offering information in English, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), or Korean.