I recently finished up my 3rd visit to the Sanriku Coast. I've had the opportunity two years in a row now to go to the town of Rikuzentakata to visit some friends for the town's Tanabata festival, and each time afterwards I've taken the opportunity to ride the Sanriku Railway (i.e. the Santetsu) all the way from Sakari (Ofunato) to Kuji, making lots of intermediate stops.

Truthfully, I have not ridden *that* many train lines in Japan (although I did enjoy my time riding the Geibi and Kisuki Lines out in Okayama/Shimane a while ago), so I can't say how it really stacks up against everything else Japan has to offer. All I can say is that personally I love the Santetsu with all my heart. I always look to seeing the cool decorations, grabbing a bento or a drink (most cars have transverse seating with tables, though some older cars lack the tables), and just relaxing and watching the scenery pass by. Granted, a lot of the trip is spent in tunnels or away from the coast, but there are a few really great scenic spots where the train will stop and let everyone take pictures.

I feel like barely anyone ever talks about going to coastal Iwate/Miyagi and I think that's just such a shame. In addition to the beautiful sights, there's a lot of history regarding 3/11, and the mere fact that the train is still running in the face of disasters and coastal depopulation is really moving. Of course it is easier to travel a place like this with a car, but for those of you who like the beach, coastal views, seafood, or just wandering in the countryside and enjoying not being in a concrete jungle, I can't recommend it enough.  
  
Apologies for my amateur photography, I am neither a pro photographer nor an actual railhead. Or rather I would probably classify myself as a 乗り鉄 more than anything.

I love the Sanriku Railway!