Man Tetsugoro Memorial Museum of Art

Lake Tase

Lake Tase, created by damming the clear Sarugaishi River, is a large artificial lake with a circumference of 45 km. Not only does it have beautiful scenery in each season, but it is also a treasure trove of freshwater fish, such as carp, carp, and winter smelt fishing. Approximately 200,000 irises decorate the lakeside from mid-June to early July, and in the summer you can enjoy lake sports such as canoeing and sailing. You can also get there from the Kitakami Ezuriko IC on the Tohoku Expressway.

Ozora Falls

A waterfall 83m high and 6m wide located halfway up the Ou Mountains. It is said that when viewed from directly below, it looks like it is falling from the sky, hence the name. The surrounding area is surrounded by a virgin beech forest and the scenery is splendid. To Ozora Falls, get off at Hanamaki Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line, then drive 60 minutes to the Prefectural Outdoor Activities Center, then walk 90 minutes.From Tohoku Expressway Hanamaki Minami IC, get to the Prefectural Outdoor Activities Center 50 minutes, then walk 90 minutes.

Osako Exchange Activation Center Hayachine and Kenji Exhibition Hall (Cat Office)

The Hanamaki City Osako Exchange Activation Center, which opened in October 2007, consists of two buildings: the main building and the exhibition hall. The main building is a facility that can be used for social gatherings, club activities, a multipurpose hall, and events. The exhibition hall is a restored version of the former Hienuki District Office, and is said to be the model for Kenji Miyazawa's fairy tale ``The Cat's Office.'' The museum exhibits works related to Hayachine and Kenji, a reproduction of the room at the old Ishikawa Inn where Kenji regularly stayed, and molybdenum ore from Nekoyama, which is said to be the setting for Kaze no Matata Saburo.