Sanzuro family

Horai Island

This gourd-shaped island floating in Otsuchi Bay is selected as one of the New Eight Views of Otsuchi and represents the image of Otsuchi Town. Benzaiten is enshrined at the shrine on the island, which is deeply worshiped by fishermen and local people to pray for a bountiful catch and safe voyages. A memorial tower for fur seals is built at the base of the red lighthouse. The island is affectionately known as ``Gourd Island'' by the townspeople, and is a fishing mecca where anglers visit in all seasons.

Otsuchi Castle Ruins

The ruins of Otsuchi Castle, which is familiar to the townspeople as a castle mountain, was the residence of the Otsuchi clan (actual height: 10,000 koku, economic power: 70,000 koku) for generations. It ruled this region for about 280 years, from the Middle Ages to the early Edo period, until the magistrate's office was established there. It is said that the lord of the castle, ``Otsuchi Magohachiro Masasada,'' sent the famous salted salmon to Edo, where it was prized and praised as the ``nose bent salmon'' of the southern part of Japan. The castle is built along a 140-meter-high mountain sandwiched between the Otsuchi River and the Kozuchi River, and this typical mountain castle was designated as a historic site by Iwate Prefecture in 1992.

Kirikiri coast

The word ``Kirikiri'' is said to come from the Ainu word for ``singing sand,'' which makes a ``kirikiri'' sound when walking on the beach. In the summer, the beach is crowded with visitors.