Sightseeing Spots

Peony garden in Hanamaki City

A peony garden located on the south side of the Kenji Miyazawa Ihatov Museum, which has research materials related to Kenji Miyazawa. It was developed by Hanamaki City on the occasion of the Sanriku Sea Exposition held in 1992, and about 700 peonies of 60 different species bloom in a variety of colors every year. In addition, ``Poran Square'', which connects Ihatov Hall and Kenji Miyazawa Memorial Museum, is a walking path with a south slope flower bed and a sundial flower bed designed by Kenji. Flowering/late May

Yokoyama Hachiman Shrine

It is a very old and historic shrine that is said to have been founded in 681. It is said that Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his servants visited the shrine for a pilgrimage and stayed overnight there. Saburo Shigeie Suzuki, a vassal accompanying him, was quite old, so he remained at Yokoyama Hachiman Shrine, changed his name to Juzaburo, and became the head priest of this Hachiman Shrine.

Tokutan Castle Ruins

An ancient castle fence built by the conquering shogun Bunshiro Watamaro in the early Heian period (around 813). Divided by a rectangular outer wall approximately 350m on each side, it was built for the purpose of pacifying Ezo and controlling the Shiba region, and is a nationally designated historic site. It has been developed as a historical park, and you can see artifacts excavated from the Tokutan Castle ruins at the folklore museum inside the park.

Rock Ironware Museum

Since its founding in 1902, Iwachu has continued to preserve and pass on traditional techniques, producing over 1 million pieces of Nambu ironware each year. While preserving tradition, they also strive to create new traditions that meet the needs of the times, and a wide variety of Nanbu ironware products are exported not only domestically but also overseas, mainly to Europe. The Iwachu Ironware Museum is a theme park-style factory where you can see the actual work process, including an exhibition gallery of Nanbu ironware.

Honshoji Temple

``What will happen? The movements of the heavens and the earth, the individual behavior of human beings, etc., are nothing more than a leaf in the autumn breeze. Let it be. That's what Musashi thought.'' Yoshikawa begins with this passage. The first draft of Eiji's ``Miyamoto Musashi'' was written at Honshoji Temple in 1930. From Morioka Minami on the Tohoku Expressway to your destination via the prefectural road, take National Route 106 to Miyako. 10 minutes by car from Miyako to Honshoji Temple (near Municipal Atago Elementary School).

Nanchang Mountain

At an altitude of 848m, it has been worshiped as a mountain where the dragon god lives in the mountains since ancient times, and you can still see the lion head dedicated to praying for rain on the mountaintop. In addition, the area is home to many types of flora and fauna, and is a place of relaxation where you can come into contact with nature such as the forest, and enjoy sightseeing centered around Nusakake Falls, as well as sports facilities such as mallet golf. It has been well maintained and is a popular hiking and picnic spot for families. Winter closed December to April

Poran Square (southern diagonal/sundial flower bed)

Kenji Miyazawa designed it for the Hanamaki Onsen Amusement Park at the request of a student from his time at the Rasu Jijin Association, but it could not be realized due to economic and technical conditions, and was recreated based on the design documents and letters from the time. thing. The southern slanting flower bed incorporates the arabesque pattern of the southern region, and is designed to be symmetrical, with the stems of vines representing garden paths and the fruits representing small circular flower beds. In addition, the sundial flower bed is an exotic patterned flower bed that mainly features a sundial with the numbers on its dial drawn with flowers.

Kenji Miyazawa poem monument (Jodogahama)

In July 1919, he joined the Hanamaki Town east coast observation team and visited Kamiya and Jodogahama on the Sanriku Kisen, where he wrote a poem, ``The velvet kelp of the Uruhashi sea is spread out in the darkness of the light.'' Built in October 1996 in front of Jodogahama Rest House to commemorate Kenji's 100th birthday.

candle rock

A huge rock 40m high and 7m wide stands on the Sakiyama coast. This is a dyke that broke through a Cretaceous sea cliff. It got its name because it looks like a candle when viewed from a distance. It can be viewed from the Miyako Jodogahama Pleasure Boat.

Morioka Theater

The Morioka Theater was built in 1912, just two years after the Tokyo National Theater, as a result of citizens' efforts to relax. After that, it disappeared with the passage of time, but in 1990, it was brought back to life in the same place due to the enthusiasm of the citizens. Literary drama was also revived at the same time. It is now the only theater in Japan that performs literary plays.

Jonaiyama Observation Deck

Mt. Jonai is 328m above sea level. It takes 30 minutes on foot from the Yanzan dam side to the summit, or you can also climb by car. The observation deck at the top of the mountain offers a panoramic view of the town.

Ennen dance

It is dedicated to the gods and Buddha during the festival of Matara God on the 20th day of the new year (20th night festival) following the regular ritual of the Sanmiku. It is also intended to praise the guardian deity of the world. Ennen means to extend one's age, or live a long life, and it came to be used as a general term for the songs and dances performed by monks after Buddhist services at major temples, and became popular from the Heian period to the Muromachi period. It was held on. The Ennen dance at Motsuji Temple has been designated as a national important cultural property because it conveys the elegant atmosphere and old style of the Heian period. In addition to the 20th Night Festival, parts of it are also open to the public during the spring and autumn Fujiwara Festival, Ayame Festival, and Hagi Festival. Dates: January 20th, May 5th, November 3rd