History / Culture / Tour Spots in Hiraizumi / Oshu / Ichinoseki Area

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Hiraizumi / Oshu / Ichinoseki

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Chuson-ji Temple

4.5

795 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Koromonoseki 202

This temple was reportedly founded in 850 by Jikaku Daishi, a monk associated with Enryaku-ji Temple in Hieizan (Mt. Hiei). Fujiwara Kiyohira is said to have laid the substantial foundation of the temple. Sights on the premises include the Konjikido, which has been designated as a National Treasure, and the Sankozo, which houses a collection of more than 3,000 cultural properties left by the Oshu Fujiwara lords. In 2011 the cultural heritage of Hiraizumi including Chuson-ji Temple was registered as a World Heritage Site.

The Temple is made up of a few buildings, surrounded by forest. To reach the temple,one has to walk up a slope, which is equiped with rope and anti-slip feature. There is also a lookout pavilion...
Motsuji Temple

4.0

446 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Osawa 58

This temple that belongs to the Tendai sect was constructed in 850. It is said to have been founded by the priest Jikaku Daishi. Sights to see include the Jodo (Pure Land) garden that is arranged to unify the Buddhist temple and garden pond. As a valuable garden that even now conveys the thoughts and techniques of the Sakutei-ki, the oldest book concerning gardens in Japan, this is a symbol of Motsu-ji Temple. The temple premises have been designated as a Special Historic Site, and the Ennen-no-mai (a dance performed here for peace and longevity) has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Property.

The entrance fee is a bit too expensive (700 yen + 300 yen for parking) for what there is to do in the temples precinct. The Pure Land Lake is pretty, and the temple main hall is beautiful in...
Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo Hall (Takkoku Seikoji Temple)

4.5

150 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Kitazawa 16

This temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism is located in the Hiraizumi-cho area of Nishiwai County, Iwate Prefecture. This cascade temple worships Bishamonten, which is in the Bishamondo Hall, and is a nationally designated Historic Site. In addition, it is also famous for having a torii gate, which is rare in temples. Many tourists visit to enjoy the different scenery of every season.

This temple does not take that long to visit with its main feature being the Buddha carved into the cliff face. Nevertheless it played an important role in the history of this area and has impressive...
Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center

4.0

87 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Hanadate 44

This free facility introduces the history and culture of Hiraizumi in an understandable way through wall panels and videos. Items such as documents related to Hiraizumi’s World Heritage sites and articles recovered from the ground during excavation projects are displayed. Paying a visit before sightseeing will deepen your understanding of Hiraizumi’s history and culture and make for a more enjoyable visit. Audio guides that support four languages are also available for use by foreign visitors.

If you have time, start here to understand the 100 years when Hiraizumi was the most important center of Japan. Chusonji is the head temple of Tendai Buddhism in northeast Japan and it was founded...
Ichinoseki City Museum

4.0

14 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Iwate Pref. Ichinosekishi Gembichou Okinono 215-1

This museum is located in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. You can learn about the history and culture of the Ichinoseki area and the accomplishments of previous generations. It shows cultural assets and tools from the stone age until the modern era. In addition to permanent exhibitions separated by theme, it also hosts temporary exhibitions, lectures and experiential learning events.

いわゆるローカル観光地にありがちな取って付けたような博物館かな思いきや、蘭学・辞書編纂・和算などのテーマ別に掘り下げて展示することで地元出身の学者の業績をわかりやすく展示していたり、舞草刀(もぐさとう)という、日本等の源流となる刀の展示もあり、かなり見応えがある博物館でした。厳美渓に来たらここにも立ち寄らない手はないです。
Sekino-ichi Brewery Sake-no-minzoku Culture Museum

3.5

14 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Iwate Ichinoseki-shi Tamuracho 5-42

A sake folk museum runs by Iwate's 100-year-old Sekinoichi brewery. Originally it was Tohoku’s largest storehouse for the initial stages of the brewing process, then was remodeled into a museum. A variety of sake brewing equipment is on display, including a large barrel for preparation. The sake making process is explained in detail. You can also visit the brewer’s room, dedicated to Matsuo Daimyojin, the god of sake. There is also a literary museum with materials from authors with ties to Ichinoseki.

以前にも来たことがありました。今回は併設されているレストラン（ビアレストランと和食レストランがある）で餅御膳をいただきました。おいしい日本酒がたくさん陳列されていて、利酒をしながら選ぶとよいなあと思いました。
Oshu City Warrior Residence Museum

3.5

7 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Iwate Oshu-shi Mizusawa Kichikoji 43

A restored Edo period samurai residence on Ote-dori Street west of JR Mizusawa Station. It is said to have been the residence of Uchida Kannojo, an imperial guard. It's counted as one of the most prestigious samurai residences in Oshu City. About 29 meters wide and 55 meters deep, it features a thatch roofed yakuimon style front gate. Oshu City has designated it a cultural asset to pass on how senior samurai lived in the region during the late Edo period. The adjacent Samurai Residence Museum has an exhibition of valuable historical materials and offers guidance for exploring the area.

この奥州市武家住宅資料館は水沢駅から北西に20分強の場所にあります。武家屋敷の北側に奥州市役所があります。そこがかつての水沢城です。その城の一部が保存されています。この水沢は城下町でその名残が少しだけ残っています。
Kanairo Do

Travel / Tourism

Iwate Nishiiwai-gun Hiraizumicho Hiraizumi Koromonoseki 202
Hekishoji Temple Museum

4.0

1 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Iwate Waga-gun Nishiwagamachi Sawauchi Ota 3-32

This museum is located on the grounds of Hekishoji Temple in Ota Sawauch, Nishiwaga Town, Waga County. It houses a collection of over 10,000 items related to local folkways, including National Important Cultural Properties, the tools used by “matagi,” traditional local wintertime hunters, and items used in everyday life. Visitors can encounter the unique culture that grew up in the harsh natural environment of Japan’s “snow country.”

山に入り熊を撃つという猟師を岩手と秋田のこの辺りではマタギというようですが、その文化を伝える展示内容が充実しています。
Stone and Kenji Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Iwate Ichinoseki-shi Higashiyamacho Matsukawa Takinosawa 149-1

A museum located a three-minute walk from Rikuchu-Matsukawa Station on the Ofunato Line in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. The museum was established for future generations to share with and make it possible to come in contact with the ideas and lifestyles of engineer Kenji Miyazawa and Tohoku Rubble Factory owner Tozo Suzuki. The museum has lapis lazuli, amethyst, and ammonite fossils on display and a library of books collected by Suzuki. Visitors can also take a tour of the former Tohoku Rubble Factory, which was erected in 1924 and registered a National Tangible Cultural Property in 1996 (note: at the present time, tours are not possible due to renovations; tours are scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2020.)
The Cattle Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Iwate Oshu-shi Maesawa Minamijinba 103-1

A museum located a seven-minute taxi ride from Maesawa Station on the Tohoku Main Line in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture. The museum contains a variety of exhibits on cattle such as cattle skeletons and how milk is produced, the relationship between humans and cattle from ancient times to the present, the history of Maesawa beef, and the cattle industry. The museum holds events such as symposiums and picture book readings, as well as classes like butter making and recreating Meiji period ice cream. The museum store sells original merchandise like T-shirts featuring a cow stomach design, and leather cell phone straps.
Kitakami City Oni no Yakata

Leisure / Hobbies

Iwate Kitakami-shi Wagacho Iwasaki 16-131

"A museum located a 20-minute drive from JR Kitakami Station. The museum was opened in 1994 to present information on oni, mythical Japanese creatures alternately translated as ""ogres"" and ""demons."" The museum introduces all kinds of oni, from scary ones to cute and cuddly ones. Exhibits include a large number of oni masks, including a giant mask three-meter-tall and weighing 80 kilograms. The museum also introduces masks depicting oni-like creates from around the world with a focus on Thailand, Nepal, and other Asian countries."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Iwate Hiraizumi / Oshu / Ichinoseki

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

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.