Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture

Rikuzentakata is located at the northern end of another roughly north-south trending embayment that opens to the southeast. Whereas the Kesennuma embayment is funnel-shaped, the distal end at Rikuzentakata broadens and incorporates a broad, sandy barrier feature.

The shoreline is a popular beach front area, and because of the low-lying coast there are vertical evacuation structures.

Aerial photograph taken on March 12, 2011 shows extensive overwash occurred accompanied by severe erosion of the coastal barrier (aerial photo courtesy of Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI)).