Time Travel into the World of Tono Monogatari: Discover Kappa Legends & the Spirit of Oshirasama at Tono Furusato Village
Tono Furusato Village
We left the coast of Rikuzentakata and headed inland to Tono, the legendary land of folklore in Iwate. Just about an hour’s drive—and totally worth the trip.
As a middle schooler, I was obsessed with Yanagita Kunio’s Tono Monogatari and dreamed of visiting someday… it took a while, but here I am, all grown up and finally living the dream.
Tono is famous for its kappa legends, and yes, there was even a wanted poster for a kappa sighting in 1974. Gotta love Japan’s quirks 😂
Tono Furusato Village is a living museum that preserves the traditional life, customs, and beliefs of the Tono people—everything from thatched-roof houses and silkworm farming to spiritual rituals.
The centerpiece is a Nanbu Magariya, a uniquely curved farmhouse where families lived alongside their horses like family members.
Warm smoke from the kitchen hearth would pass through the stable, keeping the horses cozy in winter. It’s such a smart and kind design.
Then there’s the Oshirasama Hall, home to over 1,000 Oshirasama spirits—small, vividly decorated dolls with an eerie vibe that’s both mesmerizing and a little overwhelming.
Oshirasama is a guardian deity of farming and silk cultivation, deeply rooted in local beliefs.
Legend has it that Oshirasama is the spirit of a girl and a horse who fell in love and ascended to heaven. Her grieving parents were later blessed with the art of sericulture in a dream, and so the spirit became known as the “bringer of good news.”
If you want to feel the magic of Tono folklore with your own senses, this is the place. From local legends and rituals to daily life and divine spirits, Tono Furusato Village is a deep dive into the heart of rural Japan.
ℹ️ Visitor Info
Tono Furusato Village
📍 Address: 6-5-1 Tsuchibuchi, Tsuchibuchi-cho, Tono, Iwate Pref.
🕘 Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)
📅 Closed: Dec 28 – Jan 4
🎫 Admission: ¥320 (adults), ¥160 (students)
🚌 Access: About 15 minutes by bus from JR Tono Station (get off at "Denshōen-mae")
🔗 Website: https://www.tono8man.com/tourism/1467/