Kunimiyama Abandoned Temple Ruins

Natsuyu Onsen

Natsuyu Onsen is a deep secluded hot spring located at the northern end of Kurikoma Quasi-National Park, overlooking the Natsuyu Valley surrounded by virgin beech forest. The discovery and use of hot springs has a long history, and a medicinal book from the Edo period described it as ``the most famous hot spring in the Nanbu Domain.'' In the hot spring rankings published in Edo and Kyoto at the time, it was ranked as the highest ozeki in the east, along with Hongu Onsen in Kishu, the ozeki in the west. It is still one of the ``100 famous hot springs in Japan''.

Toneyama Mitsuto Memorial Museum of Art

In his later years, the painter Mitsuto Toneyama moved his atelier to Kitakami, where he created works full of the dynamism of Onikenbu and Deer Dance. After his death, the atelier donated by his wife remained at the exhibition site as the ``Toneyama Mitsuto Memorial Museum.'' A number of emotional works will move you.

Onikenbai

Many excellent folk performing arts have been handed down in this prefecture, but this demon sword dance is performed in hopes of exorcism of evil spirits, peace in the world, and a good harvest, and is performed by a group of people with brave movements. The anger of expelling evil spirits and the single-mindedness of praying for divine and Buddhist blessings are complemented by the unique costumes and light musical accompaniment that can be adjusted at any speed, making the dance even more appealing and captivating and captivating to the viewers. This demon sword dance can be seen at the Kitakami Michinoku Performing Arts Festival and the Bonfire Performance held at Natsuyu Onsen. It has been decided that ``Furyu-odori'', including ``Onikenbu'', will be registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. (2022.11.30) → [ Kitakami City Homepage ]