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The Tohoku Treehouse Tourism Association was founded two years after the Tohoku tsunami with the mission of creating 100 treehouses in Tohoku. The project is meant to be an intersection between art and community-building. By designing the kinds of treehouses which everyone dreamed of playing in as children, the association aims to give people a positive, inspirational reason to travel to Tohoku. The association’s mission statement is “To create a Tohoku which everyone wants to visit; a place where dreams become reality.” Kesennuma is currently home to five treehouses, each with a unique style.

Treehouse #000 Tom’s House, and #001 Dekita House are both at Mt. Tokusenjo—and worth a visit during azalea season. Number #004 Tunamaru is in Karakuwa, just behind the famous Tsunakan inn. Number #005 Merry and Number #006 Hamawarasu-Go!, were built at the offices of two local nonprofit organizations, imagined as play places for children.