Sightseeing Spots

Hojumatsu of Kezoji Temple

This is a 20m tall Japanese black pine located within the grounds of Kezoji Temple, and its flowering habits are opposite to those of other trees. Ordinary pine trees have one or two female flowers at the tips of new branches, and the male flowers gather below, but in this pine, the female flowers gather in the center of the branches, and the male flowers appear above and below them. Therefore, it is called ``Hojumatsu'' because dozens of pine cones gather together and look like ``Hojumatsu''. Nationally designated natural monument (designated in 1933)

Iwayama Parkland

Located near the Iwayama Observation Deck, you can enjoy a large Ferris wheel, rainbow spin coaster, and more. There is Iwayama Golf Club next door, and tourist facilities such as Morioka Zoological Park are also nearby.

Goyosha (local toy)

In addition to introducing the history and origin of kokeshi dolls on panels, the museum also features local toys, traditional kokeshi dolls passed down from the feudal era, southern Kinakinabo dolls, Anpo kokeshi dolls, Morioka bokko dolls, and traditional kokeshi dolls made based on Morioka's land. The original kokeshi dolls that have been created are on display. The name ``Goyo'' from Goyosha, which was founded in 1933, comes from the phrase ``Ichika Goyo, the result of opening naturally.''

Sodeyama Plateau

You can see the mountain ranges of the Kitakami Highlands and the Ou Mountains, including Mt. Iwate and Mt. Himegami, and the view is especially spectacular during the season of fresh greenery. *Vehicles cannot be operated during the winter.

Ueyama Kohaku Kobo

You can make your own accessories using amber from Kuji. We select rough amber according to our budget and polish the amber using three types of sandpaper in order. After finishing with toothpaste powder, attach metal fittings to create bleachers and pendants. The experience lasts approximately 3 hours, please make a reservation at least one week in advance. It is also possible to tour the mine shafts.

canaan ranch

A handmade bread factory located on a refreshing plateau. They also sell their products at a factory that makes handmade breads using Nishidake's spring water, 100% ground flour, millet grains, and handmade jams. You can also enjoy lunch with freshly baked bread while looking out at the glass-enclosed bakery. Lunch includes ice cream made at a nearby farm. The refreshing ice cream has natural flavors such as sesame and lettuce.

Ichinohe Handicraft Museum

On display are wooden and bamboo accessories, furniture, and sakiori made by craftsmen in Ichinohe Town. You can also purchase it. In addition, in the workshop, you can receive actual instruction and experience making products.

Torigoe Health Land

You can enjoy various types of baths in the large communal bath, including saunas, sleeping baths, salt baths, and medicinal baths.

Former Nakamura family residence

The Nakamura family was one of the largest merchant houses in the castle town of Morioka, and was known as ``Itoya'' or ``Itoharu,'' and mainly sold kimono and used clothing. The first generation was from Miyamori village and started doing business in Morioka in 1782. From the second generation onwards, the company began to call itself ``Itoya'' and developed as a sole trader in Shikon dyeing, a specialty of the Morioka clan. . The building has been renovated and repaired many times, but the current main building was built in 1861, and the storehouse was built in the Meiji period, but it cannot be separated from the main building both functionally and aesthetically. It was also designated as an important cultural property. The building retains many characteristics of the late Edo period, such as a well-developed second floor and many cupboards and closets. It is extremely rare for a merchant house that has undergone many additions and renovations to remain in its original form, and is one of the few in the Tohoku region that is designated as an important cultural property.

Nishidake Fish Farm Fishing Pond

A fishing pond where you can enjoy fishing for char and rainbow trout in the great outdoors. The fish you catch can be grilled over charcoal and eaten on the spot. There is also a children's park nearby, so it's a facility the whole family can enjoy.

Taneyamagahara Forest Park

A promenade based on Kenji Miyazawa's works has been built in a beautiful forest starting from Yurin Land Taneyama. There are open spaces of various sizes on this trekking course, which the whole family can easily enjoy by observing wildflowers and bird watching.

Murata Folk Crafts Studio

A local toy workshop founded in 1963. Cocoon crafts that convey warmth, such as zodiac signs and carp streamers, are popular for their smiley faces and have become one of Iwate's representative local toys.