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Ishiwarizakura (Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree) (Morioka)
The symbol of spring in Iwate.
Ishiwarizakura (Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree) is on the grounds of the Morioka district court facing the main street in Uchimaru, the government district of Morioka. Just like its name, rising out of a crack in a huge granite boulder that measures 23 meters in circumference, and 1.7 meters high, this unique tree stands 10 meters high with the girth of its roots at a sizable 4.3 meters. This “edohigan” cherry tree is said to be 360 years old. While it is a very old tree, each year visitors are impressed with the vibrant, perfectly formed cherry blossoms that adorn the tree.
Waiting impatiently for the arrival of spring
Hachimantai spreads out between Iwate and Akita prefectures. Visitors can view untouched wilderness, virgin forests of Aomori white fir and beech trees, wetlands, and volcanic steam area.
In Hachimantai the year beings in mid-April, when the Aspite Line is opened. Both sides of the road are bordered with huge walls of snow, making it into a snow corridor that can only be experienced this time of year. Hachimantai is also distinguished as being a treasure trove of alpine plants. In the spring flowers bud everywhere, as if they had been waiting impatiently for the snow to melt. As summer arrives flowers of all sorts continue to bloom one after another. There are more than 500 different types, and on the walking path around the peak of Hachimantai you can see 150 different species of alpine plants.
The Hachimantai peak walking course takes about an hour to complete. It starts at a rest house, snakes around Hachiman lake and Mikaeri pass in a ciruit. The walking path is well made, and no special equipment is needed. You can walk the course casually, and during the green season it is popular among the elderly.
The place where the wind crosses the gorge, where you hear the trees shaking and can feel each season.
The gorge that stretches between Hachimantai Hot Springs and Matsukawa Hot Springs is one of the most beautiful ravine areas in Iwate. The many beech, maple, and other wide-leafed trees make it particularly beautiful in the fall, when it is full of tourists enjoying the hot springs and the beauty of the gorge. There are a number of different viewing spots, but the Matsukawa bridge in Hachimantai Hot Springs is the most popular. The striking contrast between the bright red and yellow leaves and the clear water is stunning.
A white beach between the blue ocean and the blue sky
A picturesque area centered on Rikuchu Kaigan National Park. During the Tenwa era (1681-1684), the seventh generation monk of Miyako-san Joanji Temple, Reikyo Ryuko, observed how beautiful the contrast was between the blue ocean and the white beach with the forested rocky outcroppings. It filled him with such a sense of wonder that he said it reminded him of Amitabha’s Pure Land, giving it that name. (Jodogahama means Pure Land Beach.) You can get an even better sense of the beauty of Jodogahama Beach by riding a tourist boat around the coast. The Jodogahama Beach Island Tour lets you see Takonohama, Candle Rock, Shiofukiana, Anegasaki, and Hideshima Island. The entire trip takes about 40 minutes. As soon as you leave the port in the boat, the black-tailed gulls will follow the boat out and dance in the air around it. You can feed the gulls with special bread made just for them. Toss it up and they will catch it in the air and fly away. Feeding the gulls is one of the fun parts of taking the boat ride and shouldn’t be missed.
Right next to Parking Lot Number 1 is the Jodogahama Beach Visitor Center, which has information and displays about the establishment of the Rikuchu Kaigan National Park. There are beautiful panorama photos of the 180 kilometer Sanriku Kaigan from north to south. You can also learn more about the area with quizzes in one area. It’s a great facility to learn while experiencing.
Fish from rivers and the ocean are both delicious! A treasure trove of fish, Hei River.
Hei River is like the holy land for river fishing enthusiasts. With a length of 80 kilometers, it is the longest river that feeds directly into Sanriku. The river starts at Mt. Iwakami (1103 meters high) near the border of Morioka and the former Kawai village, passes through the former Kawai village and the former Niisato village before flowing in the Sanriku coast. The upstream to the middle stream of the river form a fishing field known throughout Japan. Hei River car campground is located at Moichi, and there is a bathing facility called Yuttari-kan close by, primarily serving fishermen that stay there.
There are also some rivers where the salmon go upstream. The winter is salmon fishing season.
A sustainable healthy place where everyone from children to adults can enjoy themselves.
Koiwai Farm, one of the largest private farms in Japan, was established in 1891. Primarily a dairy farm located in an area of stunning natural beauty, a part of the grounds called Makiba-en, has been opened up to tourists. At Makiba-en you can roll around on the wide open grass and enjoy attractions like archery and a horse-drawn carriage. After you’ve worn yourself out playing, you can take a break and enjoy ice cream and gelato made with fresh milk. At the restaurant you can savor mutton and rice omelets made with eggs from the Koiwai Farm.
Kamimaru cowshed, which boasts a 100 year history, is right next to Makiba-en. This is where milk cows are being kept. This area was an open plain originally, and it still remains in its original state. In the spring eastern skunk cabbages and skunk cabbages bloom here. A walking tour is planned to allow visitors to experience this natural landscape.
Come where when you long to see a beautiful sunset.
Kuzumaki is well-known for milk, wine, and clean energy. The entire town is engaged in ecological activities and clean energy. Just a 20 minute drive from the Hiraniwa Highlands are the Sodeyama Highlands, a beautiful scenic spot from where you can view the mountains, including Mt. Iwate and Mt. Himekami. There is also a wind power generating facility with huge windmills that turn slowly in the wind against a backdrop of stunning scenic beauty. Sunsets are breathtaking from there.
The source of the Mabechi River is also in the highlands, as are the trailheads for Akkamori and Tobetsudake.
Dicentra herb blowing in the wind on Mt. Iwate
Mt. Iwate, the symbol if Iwate prefecture, towers above Takizawa, Shizukuishi, and Hachimantai at a height of 2,038 meters. One side of Mt. Iwate has a beautiful smooth line going down to the plains like Mt. Fuji. It has erupted five times in recorded history, changing the shape of the mountain each time, so viewers can enjoy seeing different aspects of the mountain depending on their location.
The mountain opens to hikers on July 1st. Mt. Iwate is famous as a treasure trove of alpine plants like Dicentra herb. The summit can be reached from a number of towns that surround it. The Yanagisawa (Umagaeshi) course from Takizawa is the most popular hiking trail. This course begins in a forested area and then opens out into an expanse of volcanic gravel. It is popular among local kids’ mountain climbing groups and others. In addition to the beautiful scenery, there are also a wide range of alpine plants that inhabit the area, making the hikes twice as enjoyable. Reaching the summit takes about four to four and a half hours by this route.
Umagaeshi campsite, used as a base camp for hikers, is located at the trailhead. It’s free to use, but campers must contact the Takizawa Commerce and Tourism Section in advance. (Phone 019-684-2111 ext. 265)
From Mt. Kurakake, the view is spectacular in all directions
Mt. Kurakake lies to the southwest of Mt. Iwate, and has an elevation of 897 meters. This mountain is shaped like a horse’s saddle, making it ideal for beginning hikers and families to climb casually.
The trailhead is between Koiwai Ranch and Amihari Hot Springs at Ainosawa Camp. There is a large parking lot, but during the mountain climbing season, it is crowded with hikers from early in the morning. There are two paths to the summit. One is steeper and goes down a narrow path through the forest to the east. (2.8km long, and takes about an hour and 30 minutes.) The other goes the long way around to the west. (3km long, and takes about two hours.) The path to the west takes the long way around, but there are many great views of Mt. Iwate in openings between the trees as well as a few observation decks with great views. The variety in the visible landscape makes this an enjoyable course. Both paths meet in the middle, and a stairway made out of logs snakes up a ridge to the summit. As you make the steep final part of the climb to the summit, Mt. Iwate appears looming to the north. From the peak the view is breathtaking. Mt. Hikekami lies to the east, Mt. Haychine to the southeast, Mt. Shiwasan to the south, and the city of Morioka opens up in a panorama below.
An area to escape the summer heat and benefit from negative ions.
This waterfall is at the trailhead of Mt. Nanshozan. The falls cascades down about seven meters, bringing cool air in the summer and attracting many families to visit. This was originally the place where hunters embarked on mountain excursions, so the Shinto holy rope was hung here to pray for their safety, giving this place its name. From the fresh greens of the spring to the deep reds of autumn, this area rewards visitors with great views all year long. It’s also possible to take a path from in front of the waterfall up around it and get a view from above. There is also a 13 meter high large waterfall farther upstream.
A mysterious and romantic underground lake. You will be charmed by the dragon blue.
Iwaizumi boasts a spacious town in a rich natural environment. The most famous thing about Iwaizumi is Ryusendo Cave, one of the three largest caves in Japan. The known areas of the cave stretch out beyond 3,000 meters and it’s estimated that the entire area surpasses 5,000 meters. There are a number of underground lakes, one of them 98 meters deep, and another (in an area not open to the public) is 120 meters deep, making it the deepest in Japan! They are also among the most transparent in the world, charming viewers with their blue depths. Right across from Ryusendo Cave is the New Ryusendo Cave Science Hall, which features displays of many precious archeological discoveries of earthenware and stone tools.
Also, the water of Ryusendo Cave is one of the top 100 waters in Japan, and is sold as Ryusendo Cave water. The mineral water is rich in calcium and weak alkaline. This water is used to make coffee, green tea, and oolong tea.
A bubbling volcano right next the walking path!
Waiting for the snow to melt, alpine flowers start to sprout, soft green leaves start to come out of the beech trees in the virgin forest, and the green season begins in Hachimantai. From the invigorating summer, to the flamboyant colors of the fall and the frost covered trees of the winter, all four seasons have their attractions.
If you’d like to get your fill of nature, a walk along the natural research trail is a must. The Onuma nature research path is centered around Onuma lake, which lies next to the Aspite Line, allowing hikers to enjoy viewing alpine plants. On the other hand, the Goshogake nature research path is perfect for those that would like to see the makeup of our earth and glimpse a volcano. Visitors can observe Japan’s only mud volcano, the Onome Motome hot lake, and an active volcano.
Lake Towada and Hakka-Toge Observation Deck (Kosaka)
A great spot to take photos!
Lake Towada is on the border between Akita and Aomori prefectures. It is the 12th largest lake in Japan. There are four observation decks around Lake Towada: Hakka-Toge Observation Deck, Takinosawa Observation Deck, Ohanabe Observation Deck, and Kankodai Observation Deck. The most popular among these is Hakka-Toge Observation Deck. It’s at the south entrance to the lake, where the Towada Odate Jukai Line ends, at an altitude of 631 meters. From there you can see across the lake, the mountain ridge forming the Towada caldera, and behind to the south part of the Hakkoda mountains. The view of the scenery from there is said to be the most beautiful. On a good day during the warm season, many people gather here early in the morning with their cameras to photograph this breathtaking landscape.
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020-8530 12-2 Uchimaru, Morioka-shi, Iwate-ken TEL：019-651-4111 FAX：019-604-1717