Hayasaka plateau

Skunk cabbage in Hakutori Wetland

Surrounded by the Kitakami Mountains, including Mt. Takamori and Mt. Hakutori, the Hakutori Wetland is a natural treasure trove that was selected in 1988 as one of Japan's top 100 natural areas to preserve in the 21st century. When spring is still early, skunk cabbage secretly opens its white flowers behind a forest of beech, Quercus oak, and Betula birch. The contrast between the gray trees and the skunk cabbage dotted around their roots creates a tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of European forests. Japanese shorthorn cattle are also grazed within the large wetland. [Blooming period] Early to mid-May

Treasure of the Forest Matsutake Mushroom Sake

Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, the Kingdom of the Forest, is the city that declares itself the best in oxygen. Iwaizumi Matsutake Mushroom Sake, Mori no Takara, was researched and developed by the Iwaizumi Matsutake Business Cooperative Association in this town. A natural-flavored sake made from sake (water from Ryusendo Cave underground lake) and matsutake mushrooms grown in Iwaizumi.

Yasukamori

Yasugamori (1,239.1m above sea level) is located in the northwestern part of Iwaizumi Town, in the northern part of the Kitakami Mountains. This area is the headwaters of the Yasukagawa River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean, and it is said that the name of the mountain, Yasukamori, comes from the Ainu word ``wakka'' (clear stream). The course is adorned with Betula birch, Japanese aspenia and buttercup in spring, and sawflower in autumn. From the summit, you can see the Pacific Ocean, Mt. Hayachine, and Mt. Iwate. The trailhead is located in Kuzumaki town, and it takes about 35 minutes to climb, then descend to Yasukedaira, and it is also possible to climb Mt. Tobetsu in about 50 minutes. The forest of giant beech, birch, and yew trees is filled with ferns, hydrangeas, and cypress.