Kitadate cherry blossoms

Shinpei Goto

A politician from Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City. He was the director and medical principal of Aichi Prefectural Hospital, but entered government after treating Taisuke Itagaki. After serving as Director-General of Civil Affairs in the Taiwan Governor-General's Office, he became the first president of the Manchuria Railway Company and devoted his efforts to the development of Manchuria.

Daumehekazan Endong Shoboji Temple

Commonly known as ``Oku-no-Shobo-ji,'' it was opened in 1348 by Zen Master Muzo Ryosha. It was once the third head temple of the Soto sect, along with Eiheiji (Fukui Prefecture) and Sojiji (Yokohama City). Even now, monks gather from all over the country to undergo rigorous training. The precincts are solemn, yet filled with an atmosphere that makes you feel as if time is passing slowly. The serpentine stone steps and the thatched roof of the 720 tsubo (approximately 720 tsubo) law hall, one of the largest in Japan, are spectacular. The main hall, shrine, and somon are designated important cultural properties by the country. We also offer various Zen meditation sessions and vegetarian cuisine (reservations required), allowing you to have a valuable Zen temple experience.

Taneyama Plateau

A gentle plateau at an altitude of 900m that spans Esashi, Tono, and Sumita in Oshu City. You can see the mountains of Monomiyama (871m) and Tateishi (730m) as well as the Kitakami Plain, and the Taneyama Farm on the plateau is used for grazing cattle. There is a monument written by Kenji Miyazawa on the standing stone, ``The grass that I cut in the clouds of Taneyamagahara is sluggish, but I forgot about it.'' The clusters of Astragalus azaleas are spectacular in mid-June.