Ishinomaki was the area hit hardest by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Ishinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Memorial Park was developed as a place for memorial services, and as a base for passing on the memories and lessons of the disaster to posterity.
A specialty food of the area is Tokachi Raclette Cheese Moor Wash, one of the few cheeses in the world created using hot spring water. The unique moor spring water aids in fermentation, drawing out the umami of the cheese. A thick drizzle of Tokachi raclette on locally produced vegetables is a sumptuous delight.
