The Story of the Kamome Boat: From a tsunami to sisterhood, one little boat’s journey across the Pacific created an unforgettable bond between Crescent City, California — home of the California Redwoods — and Rikuzentakata, Japan
Watch for Crescent City’s feature during the Olympic Games from Toyko on NBC! The next showing will be on Sunday, August 8 at 11 AM (PDT). Learn about the incredible friendship that was formed between two countries because of a tiny, barnacle-covered boat. Check out the full documentary on NBC’s Peacock TV.
Many visitors arrive in Crescent City to see our enormous Redwood trees in the area’s Redwood National and State Parks, or visit our beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches and mountain rivers.
But we have another tale to tell: how two communities across the world from each other connected over a tiny, barnacle-covered boat. Learn about the Story of Kamome.
In April of 2013, a mysterious boat washed ashore in Crescent City. Having drifted upside down, the inside of the boat was engulfed in barnacles. Experts were called to examine the dingy and determined it was tsunami debris. They also discovered some Japanese characters after removing some of the barnacles. The characters read Takata High School. A quick search showed the high school was located in Rikuzentakata, a town that was all but leveled by a tsunami two years prior.
For being so far apart, Rikuzentakata and Crescent City have a lot in common. Coastal communities along the Pacific, they have vibrant fishing industries and thousands of towering trees. Rikuzentakata was known for a mile of shoreline thick with more than 70,000 pine trees. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake on March 11, 2011 created a tsunami that destroyed those trees, along with the entire community. These two Pacific communities now share a tsunami disaster within their histories.
The Rikuzentakata tsunami took the lives of nearly 2,000 people, including 22 Takata High School students. Somehow, this little boat survived tragedy to float the Pacific for years before finding its way to America. Students at Del Norte County High School were drawn to help. They began restoring the boat. They found the boat had a name, Kamome, which means seagull in Japanese. Others made national and international phone calls to see if they could return the boat to the students of Takata High School.
Kamome was part of the high school’s maritime science class, giving Takata students a hands-on appreciation for the ocean. The boat had been just one of the many losses the community had to rebuild. But in such a difficult time, Takata High School received a call that students across the ocean wanted to help. Crescent City was inspired not only by Kamome’s travels, but the strength of Rikuzentakata. Del Norte County students and staff, as well as Crescent City officials, worked tirelessly to establish how to return the boat. The two communities collaborated, along with U.S. and Japanese embassies, to return Kamome.
In September of 2013, Kamome boarded a ship for Japan and in just under a week, found its way back to Takata High School. This exchange formed a bond between Rikuzentakata and Crescent City. Takata and Del Norte County High Schools became Sister Schools in 2014 and students from each school have traveled to visit the other. The students share their cultures during these visits, exploring language, cooking food and experiencing traditions.
The students at Del Norte County High School demonstrated that a simple gesture can make our big world seem smaller and friendlier. And that kindness from a stranger goes a long way. Takata High School students and the Rikuzentakata community have shown true resilience, rebuilding their lives after tragedy. These two unlikely places have built a strong connection that is strengthened by every visit and cultural exchange. And it is all because of one little boat’s voyage across a vast ocean.
You can purchase this inspiring tale, Kamome. A Tsunami Boat Comes Home, at the Crescent City – Del Norte County Visitors Center or online. With messages on preparedness, community and kindness partnered with beautiful illustrations, it is a great memento for your visit to Crescent City and all of Del Norte County.
Officials from both communities continue to build the relationship, resulting in the mutual signing of a Sister City Agreement. The story continues to develop as relationships grow and strengthen. The California State Senate and California State Assembly both recognized the Sister City relationship in open session in January of 2019. Mayor Futoshi Toba of Rikuzentakata, who lost his wife in the tsunami, stated that this relationship has given him hope for the future of his community, and especially his children.
Travel opens your eyes to new worlds and new ways. It is an opportunity to recharge, and sometimes, to heal. Travel builds connections to places and people you never expect. A tiny boat from Japan showed Crescent City just that. We hope you will visit Del Norte County to experience the Story of Kamome for yourself.
The Planting of the Redwood Gift Tree from Crescent City, California in Rikuzentakata, Japan
To learn more about the 2011 and 1964 Tsunamis that hit Crescent City, California take the self-guided Tsunami Walking Tour through Crescent City complete with interactive audio and video, and see the high-water marks on surviving structures along the way.
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Share your photo with us to earn your Del Norte County Patch (it’s a sticker, too!) #VisitDelNorte @VisitDelNorteCounty. Learn more here.
Can we see a picture of the California redwood gift tree?
Hi Jon, We added a photo just for you! See the last photo in the article where the gift tree was planted.
Thank you for your comments.
Doc!
Crescent Land Title Co.
Looking forward to are feature in July 2021 Olympics from Japan.
Everyone will be watching Crescent City through out the World.
Doc!
What a nice story. I almost cried. I am talking about Kamome. I know a lot of garbages and debris arrived West Coast but among them, there was a seed for our friendship between USA and Japan. Thank you for starting to plant it. We will raise it and continue to be friends for more decades and decades. A friend of mine in Molaga,Ca told me about the story.
It is an amazing story of friendship. And thanks for watching the documentary on NBC’s streaming network Peacock — it’s very well done.
This is an incredible story. Didn’t know anything about it but just happened to be watching the Olympics when this aired. They started off by saying it was an bond between a town in Japan and a town in northern California. Since most people think San Francisco is northern California, I didn’t think much of it. But when they showed Crescent City, I was obviously very interested. Just a great story and done so well. Great to see Crescent City in such a good light. Living in Crescent City for many years I knew about the Tsunami but not in detail. I will be returning to Crescent City in early August for my 40 year reunion and will have to stop in at the Visitor’s Center for the book and take the self-guided Tsunami walking tour.
Thank you, Dan. So glad you liked it. We look forward to meeting you at the Visitor Center in August.
This is such a wonderful story of hope not just for everyone in these two cities, but for society at large as well. We cannot let the fear and hatred that many politicians have of other countries and different societies. We are one species and the sooner we realize this and start realizing that if we really want to move forward we should be doing it together and not despite each other. This, I believe is what makes the Olympics so special. While there is a competitive spirit to see who is the best on that day, there is also so much respect for fellow athletes regardless of where they are from and this is pure magic! There is nothing like watching someone who just one a gold metal, sincerely congratulate everyone else who participated because they know and understand that everyone there, even the person who came in last worked their ass off to get there and that deservers a ton of respect.
Thank you to everyone who was involved and for the people that wrote and produced this story. It moved me to tears and gave me hope for the future. Out future together. With respect for each other. We are on the verge of starting to see what scientist have been telling us for years and the only way that we will truly make it through the future, is together, not apart. Thank you again! I’m looking forward to hearing more stories like this in the future.
We so agree, David! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and how moved you were. It’s very special and we do need to hear more stories like this in our day to day lives 🙂
We remember the story and the tsunami devastations that have happened at Crescent City. My wife and I volunteered as tour guides and workers at Battery Point Lighthouse shown several times during the tv story. We also spent a month as lighthouse keepers, living in the lighthouse. Lots of good memories of Crescent City.
H. Lee and S. Lee.
Thanks for being volunteers at our beautiful lighthouse! How fun!
I wouldn’t have thought of Japan as a place to grow redwoods, but actually, it makes a lot of sense. Great story, great gesture.
I know, right? Thanks for commenting and watching!
I really enjoyed the feature on this during the Olympics. Its a world class, timeless story and it was well told. Congratulations to everyone involved, and especially the communities of Crescent City and Rikuzentakata.
We are so glad you enjoyed the feature. NBC did a wonderful job in telling this amazing story
Wonderful story!! We wondered if there was a exhibit in town. Unfortunately the visitors center wasn’t open today so we’ll have to come back another time.
Hi Erica, Thanks for stopping by and we’re sorry you missed our Visitor Center open hours. We are definitely working on something in the future due to the interest in the story — we’ll keep everyone posted.
I watched the story last night on NBC. So beautiful and moving. What is the name of the man who was determined to return the boat? I love that he found his life’s purpose out of this incredible project. He deserves many kudos, along with everyone who participated.
Hi Tracy, Indeed! His name is Bill Steven. Thanks for watching and so glad you enjoyed it.
Saw the short film on the story of Kamome (and all that followed in her wake) last night on NBC. It’s a wonderful story and a terrific example of people taking advantage of the most random seeming opportunity to make the world a better place. Congratulations to Crescent City for your spirit and imagination. Best wishes to all.
Thank you, James! We are very happy this story was shared with the world (!!) and so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.
This was an amazing story – it caught my attention because the company I work for provides Captioning Services for Del Norte High School. What a wonderful group of students (in both Crescent City and Rikuzentakata). Truly a great documentary – we need more positive stories like this to lift us up! Congrats to all and thanks for making my heart warmer!
Thank you, Linda, for your heartfelt comments — we are so glad the story brought a little more joy to your heart.
It’s so fascinating that the stories of Kamome’s two-year journey will remain secrets between it and the vast ocean it traveled. That scrappy little boat brought out so much humanity and goodness. It was touching to see the way your two cities connected. I agree, what a moving and beautiful story, feelings I get from a Hayao Miyazaki feature. NBC did a great job on it. I hope I can visit your neck of the woods someday.
Thanks for watching, Angela and very well said! Hoping to see you in Crescent City soon. You’ll have to take our tsunami walking tour when you come.
My husband and I have been coming to Crescent City for years to camp in the Redwoods. We have our favorite restaurants: Perlita and Good Harvest. We thought about moving there, but we are still working and weren’t sure we’d find job, so we moved to Grants Pass–about an hour and a half away. My husband made me come into the den last night to see this story. It was so touching and beautiful. We remembered when the boat washed ashore. We had no idea about the rest of the story. Do you know how I can get a copy of the video? I teach in Medford, OR and our classroom theme this year is Interconnectedness. I’d love to show this to my 6th grade students. What a beautiful example of how interconnected this world really is and the effects of reaching out in kindness to help others. Thanks.
Thank you, Anne! We are not aware of NBC producing a video version at this time. However, you could stream it from Peacock.TV from a laptop and then project it onto a screen (or a white sheet even) onto the classroom wall. We look forward to seeing you in Crescent City for some camping time soon!
What a wonderful, heartfelt story. I caught part of it the other night on NBC and wanted to know more about the story of Kamome and found it here. Thank you! I live in Paradise, California where the devastating Camp Fire of 2018 destroyed much of the town, including thousands of homes and structures and caused the death of 86 people. Our community will never be the same but after watching Kamome it filled me with so much hope. My husband and I haven’t been to Crescent City in many years but we’re going to make a point of visiting soon and will definitely check out your visitor center.
Hi Julie, Our hearts were with you during the Paradise fire. So happy to hear you have more hope for a bright recovery from such a tragic disaster. We look forward to seeing you at the Visitor Center when you come to town again.
I just saw the story while watching the Olympics. Being a northern California native, and having traveled to Japan several times for extended stays I loved this story of world community. I looked to see how to watch it again. I did see there is a documentary on Peacock. I wish it were on PBS.
Hi Rita, this documentary was produced for Peacock.TV. We would love it if PBS aired some sort of story about this as well! We are glad you enjoyed the short film.
What a wonderful and warming story! It is not only giving us the hope, it has also reconnected us! We are more in common than we know of!
Thanks for watching and commenting Teddy! Definitely more in common than not 🙂
I would like to know how the redwood tree planted in Rikuzentakata is doing!
This is a beautiful story
I will try to find out, Phillip 🙂
We’d like to follow this tree. Hope you’ll let all of us know.
Hi Angela — Yes, we will post updates here to the article as we get them. Thanks!
What a wonderful example of finding something great out something bad. There is hope out there for a better world connection on things that makes us a like. I head teachers trying to incorporate this story to their classrooms. A new school year is a bout to begin, we still have hope and we always will. Thanks for the olimpics games.
Thank you, Silvia. Keep the hope alive 🙂
What an amazing story. I hope more people take time to watch it.
Thanks, Irene! We hope so, too.
Really enjoyed the story about Cresent City and Rikuzentakata. Was very touching. We just got back from a trip and spent the night in Cresent. I wasn’t aware of this story so we have to go back and spend time and do the walk. Thank you to the students police chief Mayor and all that was involved. Can’t wait to go back.
Thanks for coming to Crescent City, Barbara! Yes, you’ll have to do the tsunami walking tour. We’ll see you again.
Having watched the story today on NBC it brought tears to my eyes both of sadness but more joy due to the kindness presented. After a story about Gander, Newfoundland regarding 9/11 I went to personally visit Gander. I now have a reason to visit both Crescent City and Rikuzentakata. Being a retired HS teacher it doesn’t surprise me the example our youth can show us. Both countries can be especially proud of their youth.
I’ve seen it probably 30 times now and it still brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for watching, Jim. And let’s hear it for the kids!
@Jim Hus – the story about Gander was incredible. Especially the couple that met and fell in love 🙂
We just visited Crescent City from July 25 to July 28, 2021. We stayed 3 nights. I am originally from Japan. I didn’t know about Kamome story until my second day. I watched a Japanese news long time ago showing us about Kamome boat arrived to CA. I didn’t know it was Crescent City. I was very touched by this story and gave me a lot of Hope in US and in Japan. I was very depressed when Tsunami hit Rikuzentakata and watched the news many times on TV. It was terrifying me to watch part of my loving country was destroyed in 2011. People were talking as if they were watching a movie, laughing. News showed us Tsunami pictures with dramatical sound that even upset me. It was real, it was not any show.
We really like Crescent City, I feel I am in love in this small city. We visited City information center and bought a Kamome book, Rumiano Cheese and bought a Kamome cheese. My husband bought Kamome beer at SeaQuake Brewing. It was sooooo disappointing that we back to SeaQuake to buy more as a souvenir to our friends next morning but it was closed before 11:00 a.m. We even drove to Del Norte High School hoping to meet those young students who cleaned the Kamome boat. I know it was in 2013. I can’t meet them, of course. Those students are my heroes. They gave me Hope. I have been tired living in this materialistic world, constantly people want to compete each other, want to have more and more even though people have already enough. The more they have, they want to have more, never ended. I found something very important thing in this Crescent City. People care each other. I felt Crescent City is very special. I found HOPE and found people do CARE. I really want to say Thank to these once young people at Del Norte High School. Hope they are doing well today. We shouldn’t forget what is the most important things n our lives. I also want to say thank Crescent City for have supported the young students and made Crescent City and Rukusentakata as sister cities. We care even though we have different cultures.
We didn’t’ know about the Tsunami walking tour. We found out that after we return home. Maybe we should visit Crescent City for longer time next time.
I have been watching YouTube about Kamome, about Crescent City since we visited. We don’t have TV. We couldn’t watch the program about Crescent City and Rikuzentakata on Tokyo Olympic. Where can we watch it? Do you put them on Youtube?
Thank you!
Hi Kim,
Thank you so much for your very thoughtful comments. We are so happy you were able to enjoy the Kamome Ale and Kamome Cheese. Unfortunately, we are unable to post the Kamome Story on YouTube because NBC owns the rights since they produced this wonderful documentary for their streaming service Peacock.TV — we don’t even have a copy of it. We will keep everyone posted if this is something we can post in the future — we would love for everyone to be able to watch it! Come back soon and say hello to us at the visitor center!
Our extended family vacationed in Crescent City in August 2018 just 3 years before “Kamome” documentary aired during the Olympics! I wish I had known about the story of “Kamome” when we were exploring Crescent City! I was skimming through one of the many NBC Olympics programs I had saved on my DVR when I immediately recognized the lighthouse in Crescent City! Rewound to the beginning to watch the “Kamome” documentary. What a wonderful, uplifting, story! Thank you for this web page!
Hi Mike,
So happy you were able to visit us and glad you caught the story. We definitely need to do more to showcase this story to people who haven’t seen the documentary. We have some plans in the works 🙂
Is there a current picture of the redwood tree ?
Thank you.
Are you including the students who began this project. We should hear from them, too.
Hi Lesley, There are photos of the students above. And students involved will be at the ceremony during the first annual Kamome Festival happening on 4/14/23. You can find more information here: https://visitdelnortecounty.com/event/kamome-festival/