Sightseeing Spots

Iwate Town Sculpture Park

The Iwate Town International Stone Sculpture Symposium, which began in 1971, has been enriched with each successive event, and the works produced there are placed mainly in the Iwate Town Sculpture Park, bringing joy to the hearts of visitors. Every year, several artists, including some from overseas, create works for the public from mid-July to mid-August, mainly using black granite from the town. Please feel the deep color of black granite and the energy of this piece, which shows various expressions depending on the time.

Takamura Sanso

This is the house where Kotaro spent seven years in Hanamaki.The exterior has been covered to preserve the facility, but the interior remains as it was when Kotaro lived there.

Morioka Tenmangu Shrine

The guardian dog of Morioka Tenmangu Shrine, which used to be part of Takuboku's walking course, is now enshrined on top of Takuboku's monument. It is said that this guardian dog appears in the novel ``Funeral Procession,'' and it has a face that says, ``Since I was born, I still don't know whether the world is in the west or the east.'' Takuboku said.

Nakatsugawa

It flows east-west through the center of the city. The upper and lower bridges have imitation jewels attached to them, giving the bridge a calming appearance. From autumn to early winter, salmon can be seen migrating upstream.

Kenji Miyazawa poem monument (inside Morioka High School)

``To all the students, don't you feel the clear, clean wind blowing from this dashing realm of your future?'' The Morioka Daiichi High School where this monument stands is Morioka Junior High School, where Kenji once studied. Taking a break from the stuffy old family where he was born and raised, living in a dormitory, and hanging out with friends of his own generation brought Kenji a great sense of freedom. While attending school, I walked in the nearby mountains and became familiar with many books. Takuboku Ishikawa is ten years my senior at Morioka Junior High School.

Gashiwa of Shogen-in Temple

Kashiwa is originally a deciduous broad-leaved tree with an upright trunk and can reach a height of over 20 meters, but this Kashiwa does not stand upright, but instead splits into four trunks at the ground level, each of which creeps along the ground before standing up. It has been popularly known as Gyakugashiwa because it looks as if the roots have turned into branches. This gigantic oak tree with such an unusual shape is rare and valuable, and it was the first oak tree to be designated as a national natural monument. There is a legend that it was planted by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and his son Yoshiie after the war of the previous nine years.

Shizukuishi Town History and Folklore Museum

In addition to displaying indigenous materials, agricultural tools, and daily necessities, there are restored thatched-roof curved houses and pit-style dwellings. You can enjoy learning about the roots and history of Shizukuishi.

Tarajigane

In a custom similar to Akita's ``Namahage,'' ``Tarajigane,'' wearing rice bags or straw hats, and wearing frightening masks, go from house to house. This New Year's event is filled with parents' desire to raise strong and obedient children. [Date] January 15th every year

Ishigami no Oka Art Museum

Opened in 1993 as the first outdoor sculpture museum in Iwate Prefecture. Reopening on June 18, 2021. The outdoor exhibition hall has been reborn as a ``Flower and Art Forest'' where you can enjoy not only sculptures but also lavender, hydrangeas, blueberries, and more than 100 types of flowers.

Kitayamazaki Cliff Cruise Tourist Boat

You can enjoy the impressive view of Kitayamazaki, a scenic spot representing Sanriku Fukko National Park, from the ocean. Flights depart from and arrive at Shimagoshi Port, located south of Kitayamazaki. There are waves to go out into the open ocean, but these are also very impressive. One lap is 50 minutes. Umineko bread is also sold on the cruise, and you can also experience feeding the sea cats.

Yakushido

This is a Tendai sect temple where the spring water that gushes from the grounds is said to be effective against eye diseases. The main image is the Yakushi Nyorai statue, and the legend of Princess Sayo remains. In summer, pretty mountain lilies bloom around the temple grounds.

Kunohe Castle ruins

The site of Kudo Castle, the last battlefield of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In Tensho 19, Masami Kudo, the lord of the castle, rose in rebellion against the fact that the lord of the Nanbu domain was decided to be Nobunao Nanbu. Since this inheritance was officially approved by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, he was defeated as a rebel and Kudo Castle was destroyed.