Sightseeing Spots

Mitsuishi Shrine

Behind Token-ji Temple, there is Mitsuishi Shrine, which is made up of three huge granite stones, and there is a legend of a demon's handprint on these three stones, which is said to be the origin of the name Iwate. It is also the legendary birthplace of the Sansa dance.

Yamada Bay

Yamada Bay is almost circular, with a circumference of about 30 km, and the sea surface resembles a calm circular mirror, and the white rock surface and bright green pine trees on the large and small islands make it seem like a large miniature garden. The photo shows Yamada Bay seen from Mt. Kasirogatake.

Sekiguchi Fudoson Stream

The Sekiguchi River, which flows under Sekiguchi Fudoson, the inner shrine of Sekiguchi Shrine, has its water source in the virgin forest of Yamamomori. Sekiguchi Shrine, commonly known as ``Sekiguchi Fudoson,'' is known for its worship of the god of fire, the deity of which is Fudo Myoo, who is enshrined in Fudogaiwa.The annual festival is held on the first Sunday of July. The clear flow of the river that runs from Okumiya to Satomiya is Sekiguchigawa Stream. Okumiya, which was once a monastery for Shugendo monks, stands in a thick grove of trees, and the red bridge that spans the precincts across the river creates an especially vivid contrast. When you stand among the dazzling fresh greenery and the leaves glistening in the sunlight filtering through the trees, all you can hear is the occasional chirping of wild birds and the sound of quietly flowing water. It was once believed that soaking in this clear stream would cure any illness. Even today, its pure water is the source of life for the many plants and animals that live in the area. One of the Eight Views of Yamada.

Tabu no Oshima

Funakoshi Oshima is located at the southern tip of the Funakoshi Peninsula and is commonly known as ``Tab no Oshima.'' The island, which has a circumference of 2km, is thickly covered with subtropical plants called cypress trees due to the influence of the warm Kuroshio Current. Tabunoki is an evergreen tree of the Lauraceae family that grows naturally in warm coastal areas, and the island is the northern limit of its natural distribution in Japan. In addition, the eastern part of the island is home to Senjojiki, a sea-eroded shelf carved out of granite by the violent waves of the Oyashio Current, and is known as a breeding ground for petrels. There is a shrine hidden from the open sea in a dense cedar grove, and the island's sandy beaches and sea have been worshiped as sacred places since ancient times. Boasting some of the clearest and most beautiful seawater on the Rikuchu Coast, pretty flowers bloom on the sea ledges and rocky areas that continue to be eroded. It was designated as a natural monument of Iwate Prefecture on April 5, 1951. There are no regular cruise ships that take you to the island, so we recommend viewing it from the Shijuhachizaka Observation Deck. It is one of Yamada's eight views.

Toyomane River headwaters

About 10km upstream from Hito Bridge, deep in the Osonoera swamp, there is a limestone cave that is still not fully understood, and a forest of beech and oak trees that are about 150 years old. The headwaters of the Toyomane River flow through this area, one of the few unexplored areas left in Yamada Town. The clear stream that flows continuously from the stream merges with the source and becomes a tributary of the Tsugaru Ishi River, which runs through the steep mountains of the Kitakami Mountains. In autumn, the green leaves of the trees turn bright red, coloring the mountains, and then falling, eventually becoming covered in snow. This process has been repeated over and over again, becoming the source of creating a rich land. The Japanese scenery that changes with the seasons soothes the hearts of those who see it. It is also a treasure trove of char and yamame trout, and is popular among mountain stream fishing fans. The valley, which runs through a clear stream, is full of cool air even in the hottest season, making it the perfect place for forest bathing. It is also one of the Eight Views of Yamada.

Funakoshi Peninsula

It is a peninsula that juts out between Funakoshi Bay and Yamada Bay, and the cliffs run from the middle of Mt. Kasurodake (504m above sea level) all the way to the sea, forming the 300m high reddish-brown cliff ``Akahira Kongo''. To the southeast of the Funakoshi Peninsula is an uninhabited island with a circumference of 2 km.The southeast of the island is the northern limit of tabu trees (a natural monument of the prefecture), and to the south is a granite sea shelf called Senjojiki.

holland island

It is so called because a Dutch ship that was in trouble once stopped here. In 1643, the Breskens from Holland Island became separated from its companions due to a storm and anchored in Yamada Bay. At the time, the country was isolated, so the captain and 10 others were captured and sent to Edo. It is said that merchants and gunners were asked by the shogunate to teach Western gunnery in Edo. In the summer, it is crowded as the only uninhabited beach in Tohoku.

Shijuhachizaka Observation Deck

It was named ``Shijuhachizaka'' because it was said to be a difficult place for transportation in the past and had many winding slopes. Today, with the opening of National Route 45, the road has been improved and it has become the southern gateway to Yamada Town, and the observation deck has become a place for tourists and others to rest during their drive. Because it faces the Pacific Ocean, the observation deck offers a panoramic view of the varied coastline and rounded horizon. It is located along National Route 45, 33 km from Miyako and 20 km from Kamaishi, halfway between the two, and is one of Yamada's eight scenic spots.

Unosu Cliff

The Unosu Cliff, which offers a view of five layers of cliffs approximately 200m high, has a raised coast unique to the northern Rikuchu coast.As the name suggests, the cliffs are nesting sites for sea cormorants and eagles. You can often see nesting sites for ospreys, which are large birds. There is also a promenade along the coast all the way to Shimagoe. In addition, the Unosu Cliff was the setting for Akira Yoshimura's ``Journey to the Stars,'' for which he won the Osamu Dazai Prize.

Omiya Kagura

Omiya Kagura, which descends from Yamabushi Kagura, is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Iwate Prefecture, and is dedicated to the lion head of Omiya Gongen, celebrating people's health and praying for warding off troubles.

Usukiyama

Usukiyama is a city-owned forest located behind Jodogahama Beach and adjacent to the Prefectural Fisheries Science Museum. Overlooking Miyako Port, kobushi flowers bloom in early spring, and clusters of katakuri flowers grow in mid-April. In addition, 14 types of azaleas and rhododendrons will bloom. Various types of cherry blossoms are in full bloom from late April to mid-May. Since 1994, many types of cherry blossoms have been planted to make it a nationally famous cherry blossom viewing spot, and there are currently 800 cherry trees of 100 types. From Morioka Minami on the Tohoku Expressway to your destination, take the prefectural road, take National Route 106 to Miyako, transfer to National Route 45 in the direction of Kuji, take the prefectural road (there is a sign board), and walk 15 minutes from Jodogahama Parking Lot No. 3 ( (Adjacent to Fisheries Science Museum)

Shiba Castle Ancient Park

The ancient castle fence at the northernmost tip of Mutsu Province. The appearance of the castle when it was built about 1,200 years ago on the south side of the Shiba Castle ruins has been restored, and the south gate in the center is 15 meters long, 6 meters deep, and 11.1 meters high, making it the second largest gate after the Heijo Palace Suzaku Gate. gate. Each side is surrounded by a 126-meter-long wall made of hardened earth, and a tower is built on top of the wall.