2023 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 1_43-49
The Karakuwa-hanto Visitor Center was established in 1984 to provide environmental education to tourists visiting the Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) National Park. This study aimed to examine the background of the establishment of the center, as well as its financial plan. An examination of the administrative documents stored at the visitors center revealed:
(1) In the early 1980s, the fishing industry, which was the main industry in the town of Karakuwa, was stagnant and the townʼsyounger population had started an exodus. Therefore, the town planned to establish a visitors center in order to revitalize the
local economy through the promotion of tourism.
(2) A central theme of the exhibits at the visitors center, since its establishment, has been “tsunami.” The contents of these exhibits
are decided by a committee consisting of representatives from Miyagi Prefecture and Karakuwa, academic experts, and the
exhibit production company.
(3) The visitors center did not intend to rely on government subsidies; the intent was to operate on a self-financing basis through
admission fees for the Tsunami Experience Museum, located next to the visitors center.
(4) Although the visitors center did not achieve independent profitability, it was able to secure half of the planned revenue 13 years
after its establishment.
