Nishiwaga Town Katakuri native habitat

Shiki line and Shiki’s haiku monument

The area where National Route 107 currently runs along Lake Kinshu was once described by haiku master Masaoka Shiki as ``a place of unparalleled beauty in the neighboring countries.'' It was named the Shiki Line after that. There are also monuments of Shiki's haiku in the town. ``Hot springs in the mountains and the Milky Way above the naked sky'' ``While you can see the village of the crows and the setting sun'' ``A mountain inn with the autumn breeze and the appearance of people'' There are three monuments with haiku in the town, which form the Shiki Line. The closest location is in front of Hottoyuda Station.

Soft-shelled turtle

Nishiwaga Town is blessed with abundant hot spring resources and beautiful scenery. This rich hot spring resource is utilized not only for tourism but also for farming soft-shelled turtles. It is said that it takes 4 to 5 years for soft-shelled turtles to be shipped using normal farming, but with hot spring water, they can be shipped after 2 years. Please enjoy the soft-shelled turtles grown using natural energy "hot spring water."

Mt. Minamihonnai

Mt. Minamihonnai (1,486m above sea level), which is also designated as part of Kurikoma Quasi-National Park, was discovered in 1978 as a mountain that was not on any map, and in 1981, author Fumihiko Nakatsu made this mountain his theme. He gained national recognition after writing ``Golden Quicksand,'' which won the 28th Edogawa Ranpo Award. Rare plants are also growing there, such as skunk cabbage, ryukinka, chinese plovers, and goldenrod blooming in the wetland halfway up the mountain. From the summit, you can see Mt. Iwate to the north, Mt. Hayachine to the east, Mt. Ushigata across the way, Mt. Chokai to the west, and the white peaks of Mt. Gassan in the distance to the south. Mountain opening at the end of June