Spots/Experiences (list)

Kitakami Tourist Products Center “Access”

The Kitakami Tourism and Product Center ``Access'' carries a wide variety of items, including not only folk arts and crafts from Kitakami City, but also specialty products, crafts, and sweets from Iwate Prefecture. We aim to be a souvenir shop that is loved by tourists, businessmen, and citizens. *Relocated and reopened in October 2020.

Chusonji Temple [World Heritage Site]

This is the main temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism in the Tohoku region. The name of the mountain is Kanzan, and Jikaku Daishi is the founder of the temple. In the early 12th century, Kiyohira, the first generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, built a number of pagodas, including a pagoda and a two-story hall. The purpose was to comfort the souls of those who died in the long wars of the Former Nine Years' War and the Later Three Years' War, and to build a Buddhist land. Although the pagodas were sadly destroyed by fire in the 14th century, the temple is still a treasure house of Heian art, containing over 3000 national treasures and important cultural properties, including Konjikido.

Higashineyama

This mountain (928.4 m above sea level) is located to the west of Shiwa Town, about 15 km south of Morioka City, and is the southernmost mountain (928.4 m above sea level) of the Shiba Sanzan, which is connected to Mt. Namsho (about 848 m high) and Hakogamori (about 866 m high). The view from near the top of the mountain and the beech and oak trees are spectacular, and the mountain is loved by many people as a place where you can enjoy watching the Japanese katakuri in spring. The entrance to the mountain trail is marked on the north side of Shiwa Inari Shrine, at the entrance of Azumane Onsen "La France Onsenkan".The altitude difference from here to the summit is approximately 700m, the distance is approximately 5km, and the time required to climb to the summit is approximately 2. Half an hour.

Yonai Water Purification Plant

The city's water purification plant, located in Kamihonai on the outskirts of Morioka City, is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot, and during this season, the grounds are specially opened to the public. About 30 Yaeveni weeping cherry trees are designated as city-designated preserved trees, and the sight of them in full bloom is truly spectacular, as if to show the dignity of the queen of cherry trees. The red brick building of the water purification plant also adds to the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Blooming season】Early May *Open to the public from April 19 (Fri.) to May 6 (Mon.), 2024 from 9:00 to 18:00. Please note that the museum is not open for tours outside of this period.

Ninohe City Civic Center

It is a place to disseminate information about everything about the Ninohe area, and a facility where you can learn about and interact with great people and predecessors. The three-story building contains a regional information center, Tanakadate Aikichi Memorial Museum, Shigeo Fukuda Design Museum, a civic hall, and a culture room, making it a core facility for disseminating information to the city and beyond.

Tenshoji Rest House

The Tenshochi Rest House is designed in the image of a rice storehouse from the era of boat transport, overlooking the confluence of the Kitakami and Waga rivers. Since our founding, we have been making ``Tenshojimochi'' every morning with a mortar, appreciating the variety of ingredients from the Kitakami region and valuing the wisdom of our ancestors called Shindo Fuji. The store sells products mainly from within the prefecture, souvenirs, and a restaurant.

Moriokashidare at Ryukokuji Temple (National Natural Monument)

Takuboku Ishikawa's maternal uncle was the temple's chief priest from 1890 to 1898, and it is said that Takuboku often visited here as a boy and received instruction in poetry. Within the precincts is the national natural monument, the Moriokashidare, which is a sight to behold in the spring.

Seiyoin

This is the temple where Kenji Miyazawa stayed as a boarding house during his time at Morioka Junior High School when he was ordered to leave the dormitory during the New Building Supervision and Elimination Movement. In addition, there is Mitsuishi Shrine in the back, where the legend of the origin of the name "Iwate" remains.

Ushigatayama

The mountainside is covered with beech forests, and the area around the wetlands and marshes is a treasure trove of alpine plants. If you follow the course from Natsuyu Onsen to Mt. Kyozuka, you will soon reach a turning point to Mt. Ushigata. After passing through a beech forest, passing through a wetland, and passing a steep climb on the way, you will arrive at a flower garden with flowers such as goldenrod. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. Altitude: 1,340m. The journey takes approximately 2 and a half hours. After coming down from the mountain, we recommend taking a leisurely soak in the famous Natsuyu Onsen.

Shizukuishi Galaxy Station Shizukuishi Station

Shizukuishi Station's exterior design is based on Kenji Miyazawa's fairy tale "Night on the Galaxy Railway." In addition to its function as a station, it also has a cafe and a tourist information center that disseminates tourist information about the town.

Onikoshi Sozen Shrine

In 1597, a horse in Sawauchi village became unruly while playing in the field, ran all the way to Takizawa, and died. The villagers buried him with care and built a shrine. This is said to be the beginning of Sozen Shrine, and since then, people have taken time off from work to decorate their horses and worship at this shrine on May 5th, Boy's Festival. This is the birthplace of Chagu Chagu Umako, which has been held on June 15 of the new calendar since 1968, and on the second Saturday of June since 2001.

Kitakami Yokyoku Monument

The sweet and heartbreaking "Kitakami Yokyoku" was born in 1944. It continued to be sung quietly throughout the chaotic period during and after the war, and became an explosive hit in 1961. This monument is handwritten by the lyricist and composer, and it is said that it is rare to find a monument with musical notation engraved on it. It is built on the river bank near the rest house.