Shinbori Castle Ruins

Mt. Komadashi

Mt. Komatashira (940m above sea level) is said to be the motif of "Nametokoyama Bear". The mountain climbing courses are the Samuzawagawa Course, which climbs from the Ota Yamaguchi area via a forest road along Samazawa, and the Namazawa Onsen Course, which starts at the Namazawa Onsen Ski Resort. There are also three Dewazawa courses that start from the end of the Dewazawa Forest Road. Whichever course you take, you can enjoy a quiet mountain journey that takes you to the original scenery of the fairy tale ``Nametoko Mountain Bear'' written by Kenji Miyazawa. Additionally, there is an outdoor activity center for learning about nature and outdoor experiences on the shores of the Toyosawa Dam lake at the foot of the mountain, and hot spring inns such as Namida Onsen and Shinmina Onsen along the Toyosawa River.

Hanawa dyke flower irises community

A colony of iris grows densely in a vast 1.6 ha wetland in the middle of a rice field near the JR Tohoku Main Line. There are about 1,000 of them, and during the flowering season, purple and red flowers bloom like pointillism among the greenery. Although it is a member of the iris family, the local variety is the wild iris, which can be found in the wilderness of Japan. It is attracting attention as a rare colony because oddly shaped flowers often appear. A nationally designated natural monument. Flowering period: late June to early July

Narushima Mikumano Shrine

Narushima Mikumano Shrine is said to have been built by Sakanoue Tamuramaro when he subdued the Ezo, and its quiet appearance surrounded by trees over 1,000 years old is the origin of the shrine's name, Kii Kumano Shrine. It exudes a majesty similar to Sanzan. Designated as an important cultural property of Iwate Prefecture in 1978. In the precincts, there is a 4.73m tall wooden statue of Bishamonten made from a single zelkova tree. Every May, the ``Bishamon Festival/National Crying Sumo Tournament'' is held to pray for the healthy growth of children.