Kenji Shimizu

Morioka City Protected Garden “Ichinokura House”

"Ichinokura House" was designated as a protected garden in 1971 based on the Morioka City Natural Environment and Historic Environment Conservation Ordinance. This garden and building have a long history, having been built in the late Meiji period by Morioka-born politician Hiroshi Abe (member of the House of Peers and governor of Tokyo). It was later transferred to Mr. Ichinokura and acquired by Morioka City in 1992, and even today it still gives us a glimpse of the past. In addition, the Ichinokura residence, which is located in Abedate, which has deep ties to the Oshu Fujiwara clan, has Chusonji lotus plants divided, and you can enjoy beautiful lotuses from late July to early August.

16 Arhats

The 21 stone statues that remain on the grounds of Souryuji Temple were built to commemorate the victims of the famine that occurred during the Nanbu domain era. It was started in 1837 and completed in 1849, thirteen years later. It took over half a year just to transport the rock from the neighboring town of Yahaba, where it was cut, to this location. In addition, the statues were carved by craftsmen employed by the domain, and stone statues made by local stonemasons are rare in Japan.

Former Morioka High School of Agriculture and Forestry (Agricultural Education Museum attached to Iwate University Faculty of Agriculture)

Kenji Miyazawa also studied at the former Morioka High School of Agriculture and Forestry, which opened in 1908 as Japan's first high school of agriculture and forestry. It is currently open to the public as an educational museum displaying many materials related to Kenji. There is a botanical garden within the Faculty of Agriculture, which is a popular place for residents to relax. The European-style school building has been designated as a national important cultural property.