Arakawa Plateau and Arakawa Valley

Haguroiwa

Legend has it that when a 9-meter-tall giant rock compared its height with an arrow-tate pine tree, a Tengu kicked the rock with its geta because it was so outrageous that it had to fight with a tree at the stone's edge, and the top part of the rock was chipped off.

Kurasako Kannon-do (prefecture-designated tangible cultural property)

Built in the 10th year of Kanbun (1670). A large hall with 3 rooms square and 270 cm between pillars. All the pillars are round to the base, and the thick pillars are made of boat elbow wood, the rafters are also thick, there is no decoration added to the area under the eaves, and everything except the door is made of thick and wide inlaid board walls, making it simple, rigid, and clear. It strongly retains the style of medieval Buddhist temple architecture, and is one of the representative early Edo period Buddhist temple buildings in Iwate Prefecture. In addition, there is a storage room nearby that stores over 100 small Nanbu votive tablets.

Kappafuchi

Kappa-buchi, located behind Joken-ji Temple, has clear water flowing through it and is covered with thick bushes, making it look like a kappa will appear at any moment. On the shore of the abyss, there is a small shrine dedicated to the god Kappa, and it is said that if a woman with a child makes a wish for breast milk, her wish will come true. When making a wish, it is customary to make the shape of a breast out of red cloth and place it in this shrine.