Hiratsuka/Hanamaki Exchange Forest

Hu Siwang Mountain

Since Kenji Miyazawa wrote in his notebook that this mountain is ``the mountain where you should bury your sutras,'' the Kenji Memorial Hall and Ihatov Hall were built on the same site, which is one of the mountains with which Kenji has the deepest connection. Kenji wrote a poem about Hu Shiwang, and also mentioned Mt. Hu Shiwang in his unfinished literary poem ``The Hill.''

Wanko Soba (Hanamaki)

The history of Wanko Soba in Hanamaki is as old as Hanamaki Castle, dating back over 400 years. Lord Toshinao, the 27th head of the Nanbu family, stopped by Hanamaki on his way to Edo, and to soothe him on his journey, he gave him some local specialty soba, and Toshinao was very impressed with the flavor. It is said that he was invited to the restaurant and was given a replacement many times. It is said that the name ``Wanko Soba'' came from the fact that the noodles were served in a bowl at that time. Hanamaki's Wanko Soba does not engage in provocative chants, carefully preserving the culture of hospitality given to the lords. The ``Wanko Soba All Japan Tournament'' is held on February 11th every year, where participants compete to see how many bowls of Wanko Soba they can eat within a limited time.

Mukoyama Forest Park

Mukoyama, which rises to the south of the town center, was developed as a forest park and completed in 1998. At the top, there is a monument to Gongen-sama with the motif of Hayachine Kagura, which is representative of Osako Town, as well as an observation deck. You can drive up to the observation deck that offers a panoramic view of Osako's townscape, but you can also climb over 600 stone steps from the foot of the mountain.