History / Culture / Tour Spots in Iwate Area
Area
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Iwate
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Iwate
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- Ganryu-jinja Shrine
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Otomocho 33-4
- A shrine dedicated to Buddhist deity Fudoson. Fudoiwa–an enormous rock formation towering like a small mountain behind the shrine–is the principle object of worship. It has a long history and has been designated Tono Heritage Site No. 31. You reach the shrine by crossing a beautiful bridge with vermilion railings over a river flowing in front of the shrine. Every year in August, local volunteers put on the Otomo Matsuri and Ganryu-jinja Shrine Festival with a parade of participants in colorful costumes.
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- Fukusenji Temple
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Matsuzakicho Komagi 7-57
- A Shingon Buddhist temple that was founded in 1912. Its eleven-faced wooden image of the Bodhisattva Kannon is 17 meters in high, making it the largest wooden Buddhist statue in Japan. The grounds of the temple are large enough to visit by car. There are multiple must-sees at the entrance, including a Ryugumon Gate, a Niomon Gate with statues of Nio guardians, an Inari Shrine, a Jizo Hall, a two-storied pagoda, a Bishamon Hall, and a five-storied Pagoda. Famous for cherry blossoms and colorful autumn leaves, the place attracts many visitors to enjoy the beautiful seasonal scenery.
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- Sasurai Jizo
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Matsuzakicho Shiraiwa
- "A statue of the Bodhisattva Jizo on the precincts of Shirahata-jinja Shrine. It has no neck and looks a little worn down. At the time Nanbu Clan ruled the region, young people would often carry it around to compare their strength. As it never ended up in the same place, it came to be called “Sasarai Jizo,” named after its ""wandering around.” As it frequently was man-handled this way, the Jizo was likened to an amorous young woman, and reportedly the pious earned the ire of the Jizo. Today it's fixed in place so no one can move it from its pedestal."
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- Tono Machinaka Doki Dokikan
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Shinmachi 5-3
- An earthenware exhibition and community center in an antique renovated Tono storehouse. At the front is ancient earthenware excavated in Tono that's been restored and put on display. The back of the space is a community salon with a sofa where you can take a break while looking at the pottery. There are also rooms for hands-on workshops, community events, and earthenware making programs. A pottery storehouse and a research facility are also on-site, where researchers analyze and organize Tono pottery.
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- Sasaki Kizen Seika
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Tsuchibuchicho Yamaguchi
- "Located on the Yamaguchi River, a 20-minute drive from JR Tono Station. The traditional single-story building combines a feel of history and charm. It's not open to the public as Mr. Sasaki's descendants still live there, but you are free to look at the exterior. Sasaki Kizen was a folk tale scholar active from the Taisho to the early Showa periods and also known as the Japanese Grimm. His renderings of local oral tradition led Yanagida Kunio to write The Legends of Tono. Sasaki’s grave is in a public cemetery nearby in an area called ""Yamaguchi-no-Dannohana.”"
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- Dannohana
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Tsuchibuchicho Yamaguchi 2-chiwari
- An area near the childhood home of Sasaki Kizen, a folk tale scholar and Tono City native. Today there's a public cemetery on top of a hill, along with Kizen's grave. According to the Legends of Tono, when the graveyard was made, a large bottle was found. This angered the village elders, so it was re-buried. It's also said to be a graveyard for those who died at Dendera Field where old villagers went at the end of their lives.
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- Yamaguchi Waterwheel
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Tsuchibuchicho Yamaguchi 2-chiwari
- A watermill with a thatched roof on the Yamaguchi River in Tono City. It's date of origin is unknown, but it was once used for threshing and milling flour. It's still operational. It was made to utilize a large amount of water, and with its old-fashioned appearance, it’s become a much-used symbol of traditional Tono. The idyllic scenery also makes it popular with tourists.
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- Kitsune no Sekisho
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Tsuchibuchicho Tsuchibuchi
- There are several stone statues of foxes on the outskirts of Tono. This one is on a street between the Kogarase River and National Route 340. Legend says that one day when a man passed through the neighborhood, he was tricked by a fox who turned itself into a young maiden. A sign board tells the story so you can experience the tale for yourself. The statue is located on a small hill with a nice view overlooking the countryside with the mountains in the distance.
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- Yamazaki no Konsei-sama
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Tono-shi Tsuchibuchicho Tochinai 16-chiwari
- A Shinto shrine on a mountainside about 12 kilometers southwest of JR Tono Station. Konsei-sama is a Shinto god worshiped in the Tono region who is thought to bestow children and good harvests. The god makes an appearance in the Legends of Tono. The shrine contains a roughly 1. 5-meter phallic symbol made of stone. It is said that polishing it with a scrub brush will reward the worshiper with children, alleviate feminine discomfort, etc. While it was lost for a period, it was discovered during construction in recent times and re-enshrined. The Konsei Festival is held annually on May 5th.
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- Oshu Koromogawa History Fureai Museum
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Iwate Oshu-shi Koromogawa Hina 60-18
- A museum that conveys the history of the Abe clan, progenitor of the Northern Fujiwara clan. It has an impressive display of wax figures of Abe no Sadato and Minamoto no Yoshiie depicting a scene in which they compose poems during the Former Nine Years’ War. The exhibition begins with a display of artifacts excavated from a Jomon period site. It also showcases the history and traditions of the region including Masuzawa-nuri lacquerware, first developed during the Northern Fujiwara period and further advanced during the Meiji to Taisho periods. Every Tuesday the Koromogawa Lacquer Association gets together to make Masuzawa-nuri lacquerware at the museum's studio. It’s open to public viewing with a reservation.
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- Toyoda no Tachi Site
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Oshu-shi Esashi Iwayado Shimo Nawashirosawa
- A historic park located at the junction of National Route 456 and Prefectural Route 156. There was once a castle on the site built by Fujiwara no Tsunekiyo, founder of the Northern-Fujiwara Clan. The castle's size, date of construction, and layout are unclear, but artifacts such as a four-handled Chinese white porcelain jar have been excavated from the site. It's recorded that Fujiwara no Kiyohira – the first official head of the Northern-Fujiwara – was born here and maintained political influence in the area even after his move to Hiraizumi. Today at the site you'll find a castle monument and historic traces including a spring which was used for Kiyohira’s first bath. There are also grave mounds of the clan of Kiyohira’s father Tsunekiyo, who was killed after the Former Nine Years’ War.
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- Esashi Local Culture Hall
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Iwate Oshu-shi
- An experience-based museum showcasing the history, culture, and local industries of the Esashi region. It is located about 15 minutes by car from the Mizusawa Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway, adjacent to the Esashi-Fujiwara Heritage Park. It consists of an agricultural center and the Okunoin exhibition area. It's display of the Nakazen Obara family's 101 statues of the Bodhisattva Kannon are notable and exemplify the beliefs of the region. They also have hands-on programs with culinary and craft themes that let you try making soba noodles, pottery, magatama amulets, and more. During the summer and winter holidays they organize other special hands-on programs too.
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- Former Iwayado Kyoritsu Hospital
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Oshu-shi Esashiminamimachi 4-8
- Iwate Prefecture's first general hospital applying Western medicine was founded in 1874. It's on the Hitokabe River in Minami-machi, Esashi Ward. The multi-storied building has distinctive pseudo-Western-style architectural features constructed by local carpenters. It had the functionality and appearance of a Western hospital geared to a new era, backed by traditional Japanese-style building methods. It was chosen as the setting of the radio drama Kanenonaru Oka. Since its closing in 1878, it's acted as a variety of public facilities including a court, a government office, and a school. It became the Meiji Kinenkan in 1982 and the city's symbol.
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- Oshu City Traditional Industries Museum
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Oshu-shi Mizusawa Hadacho Ekimae 1-109
- This museum tells the history of Mizusawa, the birthplace of Nanbu ironware. It's located a five-minute walk from JR Mizusawa Esashi Station. There are displays on the process of making ironware and some of the actual equipment that was used. There's also a recreation of an ironware workshop to help you learn more about the tradition and casting process. Major league baseball player Otani Shohei hails from Mizusawa Ward, and there's a Nanbu ironware casting of his hand you can try shaking. Nanbu ironware products and crafts such as wind chimes and iron kettles are available for purchase in their gift shop.
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- Goto Shinpei Former Residence
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Oshu-shi Mizusawa Kichikoji 8-1
- An unobtrusive thatched roof building next to the Oshu Government Office Complex on Kichikoji Street in Mizusawa Ward. It's the former home of Goto Shinpei, responsible for Tokyo's ambitious recovery plan after the Great Kanto Earthquake. It was bequeathed to Mizusawa according to his wishes. A lower-ranking samurai residence from the late Edo period, the main house with its toilet and wooden storehouse have been reconstructed. It was designated a Tangible Cultural Property by Iwate Prefecture in 1972. A celebration of the birth of Goto Shinpei is organized by the local honoring association on June 4thevery year.
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- Oshu City Archaeological Research Center
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Iwate Oshu-shi
- A historical museum that showcases the culture of Ezo (pre-modern Northern Japan) and exhibits buried cultural properties excavated from Oshu City. It's on Prefectural Road 270, a five-minute drive from Mizusawa Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. Isawa Castle Ruins Historical Park is right in front. Displays focus on the way of life of the Ezo culture during ancient times. It has anime screenings about Ezo leaders known as Aterui that even children can understand. There are also hands-on classes making clay figurines, Jomon period accessories, and more. It's an accessible way to learn about the world of archaeology and ancient history.
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- Saito Makoto Memorial Museum
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Oshu-shi Mizusawa Kichikoji 24
- A 15-minute walk from Mizusawa Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line, this memorial museum is built on the site of Saito Makoto's former residence. He was a politician and proponent of civilian government who was promoted to the naval rank of admiral and later Minister of the Navy. After serving as Prime Minister, he held the position of Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal until his assassination in the February 26 Incident. Besides the main hall, there's also a library and his former residence, as well as a seated statue of him and his wife. The main hall has exhibits presenting the couple's background and displaying the uniforms they wore for their official duties. There's also a display with items concerning the February 26 Incident. The displays are switched in spring and winter when they hold special exhibits.
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- Oshu Space and Astronomy Museum
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Iwate Oshu-shi Mizusawa Hoshigaokacho 2-12
- This museum is located approximately a 10-minute drive from the Tohoku Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi Station. It has a long history spanning over 100 years, and was reconstructed and recreated in the image of Japan's first international latitude observatory, in 1921. Visitors can see equipment that is currently in use, as well as historical astronomical instruments. The permanent exhibition room on the first floor teaches visitors about the universe, from the things that we can experience from the ground to space and the universe. There is also a theater room with 4D digital space theater screenings, as well as a permanent Universe Exhibition Room, where visitors can experience the universe by touch. Visitors can also listen to various event lectures while relaxing at the cafe.
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- Takano Choei Former Residence
- Travel / Tourism
- Iwate Oshu-shi Mizusawa Nakauwanocho 1-9
- "10 minutes on foot from Mizusawa Station on the Tohoku Main Line, this memorial hall established in 1971 honors the achievements of Takano Choei, a leading person who hailed from the region. As a doctor practicing Western medicine, he authored many of Japan's first books on physiology. The museum displays about 200 of his books, translations, letters, and personal items. A May 5 Birthday Festival and October 30 Takano Choei Festival are held free of charge. A small special exhibit called ""Takano Choei Translations"" features stories about the Dutch language."
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- Ryusenshindo Science Museum
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Iwate Shimohei-gun Iwaizumicho Iwaizumi Kannari
- A limestone cave discovered after the Ryusendo Cave–one of Japan's three major caves–in Iwaizumi-cho. In 1967, Ryusendo Cave was discovered during construction to widen a prefectural road. The well-developed cave system and its water course markings have scientific value, and in 1975 it was opened to the public as a science museum. In addition to the stalactites and stalagmites that are still being surveyed, there are abundant traces of pre-modern people. The cave has displays depicting life in the cave, which acted as shelter from the elements. There is also an area of water that looks beautiful when lit up.
Iwate Areas
A northern Tohoku prefecture promising peace and quiet, Iwate is sparsely populated, replacing people with snow-capped mountains, history-rich sites, and fields of crops that are to thank for the region’s delicious local cuisine. Meander along the three-city Golden Route, where you’ll visit the grand Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi and the Tono folk villages before tasting the three famed noodle dishes of Morioka.
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