Kukai Kogen Walking Center

Kuromori Shrine

Mt. Kuromori is a sacred mountain that has been worshiped throughout the Hei region since ancient times. From the Heian period to the Kamakura period, it was influenced by the syncretism of Buddhism and Shintoism, and flourished as a place of worship for Bodhisattva salvation in the human world. The mountainside at an altitude of 311m is covered with a forest of pines, cedar, and fir that is dark even during the day. In April 1188, one year before Hiraizumi Takadate's suicide, Yoshitsune secretly escaped from Hiraizumi, leaving behind his shadow warrior Yukinobu Sugime, and spent three years and three months in this mountain studying the Great Prajnamaya Sutra. There is a legend that he transcribed it and prayed for it. The name ``Kuromori'' is said to have been derived from ``Kuromori.''

Baked pineapple

Seaweed from Otsuchi and Kamaishi that is only known to those in the know. Enjoy the aroma of the ocean and the crunchy texture. It is a seaweed shaped like a pine needle that is picked by hand from rocky areas along the Sanriku coast in early spring.

Twelve Gods Nature Observation Education Forest

A virgin forest left in its natural state at the eastern foot of Mt. Junikami in the center of the Shigemo Peninsula. It is a 150 to 300-year-old natural broad-leaved forest that is mainly composed of a colony of Japanese beech and sycamores.It is said to be the most natural forest with a mixture of Japanese oaks, Japanese oaks, and giant Japanese zelkova and horse chestnut trees over 1 meter in diameter. The forest is home to many plants and animals. There is a giant zelkova tree that has been selected as one of the ``Top 100 Forest Giants,'' and it has also been selected as one of the ``Top 100 Forests for Forest Bathing.'' There are minimal camping facilities.