Spots/Experiences (list)

Kotaro Takamura Memorial Museum

This memorial museum introduces the life of Takamura Kotaro during the seven years he evacuated to Hanamaki, and exhibits his sculptures, poems, calligraphy, and more.

Hanawa-zutsumi Hanashoubu colony

A colony of Hanashoubu (Japanese pepper) grows densely in a vast 1.6 hectare wetland in the middle of rice paddies near the JR Tohoku Main Line. During the flowering season, purple and red flowers bloom in a dotted pattern in the green. Although it is a member of the iris family, the variety found here is the wild hanashobu found in the wilds of Japan. The frequent appearance of deformed flowers makes this an unusual colony. Designated as a national natural treasure. Flowering season: Late June to early July

Morioka Dashi Museum

It is located in a corner of the grounds of Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. The floats that appear in the September festival are open to the public free of charge on Saturdays and Sundays. Displays materials related to the Morioka Dashi Festival, which is an intangible folk cultural property of Morioka City.

Konyamachi Banya

The remains of the fire station, which was built in 1913 (Taisho 2) and is a Morioka city landscape important building. After undergoing earthquake-proofing and renovation work, it reopened as a new exchange experience facility in March 2022 (Reiwa 4). There is a cafe and miscellaneous goods sales on the first floor, and a weaving workshop on the second floor, where you can also experience it by making a reservation. You can relax in a restaurant that exudes Taisho romance.

Iwai River Park

A park on the riverbed of the Iwai River that flows through the center of the city. It is also the venue for many events such as the Iwai River Spring Festival, fireworks displays, and sweet potato parties, and it is always crowded with people throughout the season for everything from cherry blossom viewing to swan feeding.

Utori Kagura

It is a type of Yamabushi Kagura in which the gongen is a lion head carrying the divine spirit of Utori Shrine. From January to March every year, the "Mawari Kagura" tour goes around the north to Kuji and the south to Kamaishi every other year. The tour is held at Kagura inns and community centers around the country. Dances from a total of 53 performances will be performed, and prayers will be held. The secret to captivating the audience is the wide variety of programs, including the divine ``Mountain God'', the humorous ``Ebisu Mai'' fishing for sea bream, and skit-like programs. In 2015, it was designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property.

Utori Shrine

It is enshrined as the god of big catches, maritime safety, and marriage. The annual festival is held on April 8th of the lunar calendar, and many people from the fishing industry along the Sanriku coast visit the main shrine at the top of Mt. Ukotoriyama. In front of Harukahaiden, the ancient Utori Kagura is performed. The matchmaking custom of tying together the branches of the pine trees in the shrine grounds with the left hand for men and the right hand for women has been passed down, and the fortune-telling fortune telling fortunes, which are rare in Japan, are attracting attention as well. It is also the original home of Ukotori Shrine in Tono City, which is famous as a power spot for fulfilling love. There are also legends related to the legend of Yoshitsune's journey north.

cow museum

This is the only museum in Japan that specializes in cattle, researching and exhibiting not only Maezawa beef but also cattle from all over the world. In addition to exhibits that look at things from a biological perspective, such as stuffed cows, skeletons, and fossils, there are also exhibits that look at the relationship between cows and people from an ethnographic perspective. There is also an introduction to delicious beef dishes by cut, and the exhibit is fun for everyone from elementary school students to adults.

Ishidoriya History and Folklore Museum

*The museum will be closed for the time being from February 1, 2024. Some of the materials on display at the museum have been relocated to the Ishidoriya Agricultural Heritage Museum located to the north of the Ishidoriya Lifelong Learning Center and are now open to the public. Sake brewing tools that tell the history of sake brewing in the southern part of Japan are housed in the museum, and the sake brewing process is introduced. Of the 1,788 pieces of sake brewing tools, 1,788 are designated as national important cultural properties. Also on display are Jomon earthenware excavated from the town, a clay figurine of a bear that is rare in Japan, ancient documents such as an umbrella-shaped complaint, and personal ornaments reflecting the period.　Sake vessels from Japan and around the world are also on display.