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  Wanko Soba Azumaya

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  501 Views

  “Wanko” in Wanko Soba is a dialect of Iwate Prefecture that means a wooden bowl. It is said that wanko originated from the fact that it served in small bowls in small amounts each time to serve a large amount of boiled in Morioka and Hanamaki, where there are a tradition of hospitality with soba. Visitors compete for the number of bowls with a server’s chants "Jan Jan, Don Don," while serving.

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  Tono Furusato Village

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  588 Views

  A traditional mountain village with these thatched roof magariya houses built after the middle of the Edo period, have been relocated to and restored in this facility, this recreation of the unspoiled landscape of old Tono include a water wheel, rice patties and a charcoal burner’s hut. Amid the bucolic landscape, visitors can try their hand at "Mochitsuki" (pounding rice cakes), "Sobauchi" (making soba noodles), and other activities of a farming village (reservation required), to gain a...

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  Geibi Gorge (Geibikei)

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  706 Views

  Located in Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture, Geibi Gorge (Geibikei) was formed by the erosion of limestone layers which created steep cliffs of more than 50 meters in height towering on either side of the river for about two kilometers. The beautiful gorge has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument and counted as one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan. Be sure to take a leisurely boat ride down the gorge pushed along with a pole by a boatman. The seasonal...

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  Chuson-ji Temple

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  714 Views

  If you are going to see Hiraizumi in Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture, take a recommended UNESCO World Heritage Sites tour. A number of World Heritage sites and related facilities are scattered around the town in walking distance from each other, they include the Konjiki-do of Chuson-ji Temple, head temple of the Tendai sect in the Tohoku region, and Motsu-ji Temple, the special-status head temple of the Tendai sect, which has a famous stone slab with a poem by Matsuo Basho inscribed on it....

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  Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura (Village of Fairy Tales)

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  2443 Views

  Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura (Village of Fairy Tales) is a facility that lets you fully enjoy the world of fairy tales written by Kenji Miyazawa, a poet known globally for "Ginga Tetsudo no Yoru (Night on the Galactic Railroad)." It is designated as one of the 88 anime pilgrimage sites selected by the Anime Tourism Association.

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  Jodogahama Beach

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  955 Views

  Jodogahama Beach in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, is a place of scenic beauty on the Sanriku Fukko National Park. Its stunning views can be enjoyed from sightseeing boats. Jodogahama Beach is a popular swimming spot in summer, but can be enjoyed throughout the year. There, you can enjoy and beautiful sunrise that change in every season.

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  Kitayamazaki Cliffs

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  820 Views

  On the Sanriku Coast in Iwate Prefecture lie the magnificent Kitayamazaki Cliffs soaring as high as 200 meters that were formed due to major volcanic activities dating back 130 million years. Stretching across 8 kilometers, the rugged cliffs feature sculpted rocks and mysterious caves. Stunning in every season, the Kitayamazaki Cliffs never fail to impress visitors.

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  Ryusendo Cave

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

  819 Views

  Ryusendo Cave in Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture, is one of Japan's three greatest limestone caves and designated as a national natural monument. The underground lake created by pristine water welling out of the cave is one of the most transparent in the world, called "dragon blue." The spot has also been drawing attention in recent years as a "lover's sanctuary," a romantic setting often visited by couples.

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  Furukawa Market

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  838 Views

  "Nokke-don (seafood donburi)" is a rice bowl with your favorite seafood ingredients as a topping. Furukawa Market, where you can "add a little of each of many varieties", or "add a both seafood and meat", on your own original Nokke-don.

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  Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  822 Views

  The Aomori Nebuta Festival boasts a history of more than 300 years and has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. A lot of people from all over the world gather at the festival that held from 2nd to 7th August every year, and on the 7th August as the last day, the nebutas are placed in boats and ferried around the sea as fireworks light up the night sky. Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE is a tourist facility where visitors can experience the charm of the Aomori Nebuta...

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  Towada-Hachimantai National Park

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  1375 Views

  Towada-Hachimantai National Park extends over the mountain range of Akita, Aomori and Iwate prefectures. The vast park overflows with nature consisting of the Towada and Hakkoda areas that include Mount Hakkoda, Lake Towada and the Oirase River valley, as well as the Hachimantai area, which includes Mount Hachimantai, Mount Akita-Komagatake and Mount Iwate. Feel the blessings of nature during each of the four seasons, such as the majestic mountains, beautiful lake scenery, hot springs and...

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  Hirosaki Park

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  1097 Views

  Hirosaki Park is located in the center of Hirosaki City with a total area of about 490,000 square meters. The site was originally Hirosaki Castle which was the castle of the Tsugaru Clan who reigned the Hirosaki Domain of 100,000 koku (unit of area) during feudal era. In spring, there is Japan’s most famous Cherry Blossom Festival, in autumn is Autumn Festival where the white walls of the moat and the castle decorated with autumn foliage, and in winter, a Snow Lantern Festival with huge snow...

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