Aharayama Plateau

Kitadate cherry blossoms

The Edohigan cherry tree is said to have been planted by a pilgrim monk named Nansobou around 1300 at the place where the Abe family lived and met in Kitadate.Estimated to be 700 years old, root circumference 7m20cm, tree height 19m, a natural tree in Oshu City. It is designated as a monument. [Best time to see] Mid-April to late April

Tendai Sect Myokenyama Kuroishi Temple

It is said to have been founded by Gyoki Bosatsu in the first year of Tenpyo (729) in the Nara period, and was called Tokozan Yakushiji, but it was destroyed by fire. Later, in the second year of the Kasho era (849), Jikaku Daishi rebuilt this ancient temple of the Tendai sect. The principal image of the temple, the Yakushi Nyorai Seated Statue, which is designated as a nationally designated important cultural property, is the only Jokan-inscribed Buddha in Japan and is inscribed in the 4th year of the Jokan era. Additionally, from the night of the 7th day of the lunar new year to the next morning, the Kuroishiji Somin Festival, a festival of naked men and flames, is held to pray for warding off misfortune and a good harvest.

Atagoyama Nature Park

There are many plants that are rare due to their distribution, and the Ite River flows through the area. There is the site of Numajiri Castle, and at the top of the mountain there is Atago Shrine, built by Sakanoue Tamuramaro. Take the Esashi Municipal Bus Ide-Kojitani-Kuchizawa Line (via Kami-Ide) to Fujisato bus stop, get off at the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi Station, then transfer to the Iwate Prefectural Transportation Esashi Bus bound for Fujiwara-no-sato and get off at the Esashi Bus Center bus stop.