Ofunato City Museum

Koro persimmon [twig persimmon]

As mid-November passes and the mornings and evenings start to get colder, In Ofunato, the drying process for the specialty product ``koro persimmon'' is at its peak. The colder the weather, the more the persimmon's astringency turns into sweetness, producing delicious dried persimmons. Koro persimmons are rich in dietary fiber and are also a treasure trove of pectin, carotenoids, and vitamin C. The orange ``Tamasudare'' lined up in front of the eaves of farmhouses has become a winter feature.

Suneka of Yoshihama

A small New Year's ritual held on January 15th every year. Suneka, a straw man wearing a strange mask, goes around the houses in the area, praying for the healthy growth of children, a rich harvest, and a bountiful catch. The origin of ``suneka'' is said to be ``sunekawa taguri'', which is used to peel off the skin of the skin on the shins, which is caused by being too lazy to be around irori during the cold winter. The gestures and appearance that warn against lazy or crying children are very regional. The Yoshihama Suneka Preservation Society carries out activities to pass on the history of Suneka, such as lending costumes to children in the area. It was designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property in 2004. On November 29, 2018, "Visiting Gods: Gods in Masks and Costumes," including "Yoshihama Suneka," was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Goyo Onsen

It is the first natural hot spring on the Sanriku coast, located at the foot of Mt. Goyo, and is gaining popularity for its abundant hot water and ``hot springs for beautiful skin.'' The spring quality is a simple alkaline hot spring, which is effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, sensitivity to cold, recovery from fatigue, etc. In addition, the exchange building is equipped with an agricultural, forestry and fishery product direct sales corner, a cafeteria, an exchange hall, and a rest room. The original kibi soft-serve ice cream that can only be eaten here is also becoming increasingly popular.