Iwate travel

My Stay at Tohachi Onsen Saiunsou – August 2023 I finally stayed overnight at the legendary Tohachi Onsen Saiunsou, nestled high in the mountains! The building feels a little... tilted? Probably from the weight of all that snow during winter. See the Best Rates for Tohachi Onsen Some areas looked pretty worn out and were patched up with duct tape here and there—totally giving off that mountain lodge vibe. Many of the windows were warped and couldn’t open, but hey, it added to the rustic charm. Surprisingly comfy, too One of the best perks of staying overnight? You get ...

Hayachine Shrine is said to have been founded in the year 807 by Narifusa, a descendant of Fujiwara no Kamatari, who established a sacred structure atop Mount Hayachine. During the Edo period, the shrine received the protection of Nanbu Toshinao, the local feudal lord, and its current main hall was constructed. The existing main shrine retains architectural elements from the early 17th century, including intricate carvings and detailed framing techniques. It is officially designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Iwate Prefecture. The Zashiki-warashi Spirit of Hayachine Shrine Hayachine Shrine is also famous for stories involving *zashiki-warashi*—childlike guardian spirits said ...

Taro Kanko Hotel Tsunami Ruins The Taro Kanko Hotel is a building located in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture. Once a functioning hotel, it was severely damaged by the tsunami that struck during the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. Today, it stands as a preserved disaster memorial site to convey the destructive force of the tsunami and the importance of disaster preparedness. You can clearly see how high the water rose just by looking at the structure. While a few new facilities exist in the area, the surrounding neighborhood is strikingly empty—homes and buildings once stood here, but ...

Visiting the 3.11 Tsunami Memorial in Rikuzentakata: Remembering the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Miracle Pine Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum During my onsen-focused trip around Japan, I chose to travel through the Sanriku coast—a region not known for hot springs—because I wanted to witness the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake firsthand. The earthquake struck at 2:46 p.m. on March 11, 2011, originating about 130km southeast of the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture, at a depth of around 24km. Like many people, I only knew the disaster through news and the internet. In the rain, I went ...

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 ...