Iwate

Takkoku no iwaya, Iwate

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Victory is thanks to Bishamonten

The grotto where “Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo Temple” is built is said to be the place where Emishi (northerners) such as Akuro-O had been holding a fort that once was repeating rough behavior in this place. In 801, Commander SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro, who has ordered by Emperor Kanmu, went to this place as the Generalissimo for the Subjugation of Barbarians (Seii Taishogun) and broke Emishi at the end of the fierce battle. SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro was the man who built the Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto. SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro who felt “Victory is thanks to Bishamonten (Vaisravana)” built monastery that imitated ‘Kiyomizu no Butai’ (the stage of Kiyomizu) in this grotto. And he dedicated 108 Bishamonten statues and made it prayer place to quell the country.

Founded approximately 1200 years ago

The Bishamondo Temple of Takkoku no Iwaya whichi located in Hiraizumi, Iwate, is a historical and well-known temple founded approximately 1200 years ago. The Bishamondo where it was built to stick to the surface of rock is characteristic.
Reproduction, economic fortune, cut connections, etc. It is a sacred place for a person wishing to change the status quo.

takkoku-no-iwaya2 — ossan-hitori-tabi.blog.so-net.ne.jp

Imitating the Kiyomizu Temple

Takkoku-no-iwaya has been built imitating the Kiyomizudera Temple by Sakanoue Tamuramaro in year 801 of the Christian era.

Stop without thinking

It is located on the prefectural road along of Hiraizumi where the idyllic countryside is spread.
The building reminiscent of Kiyomizudera Temple will immediately appears when you go through the front approach. This is the Bishamondo, you would stopped without thinking.

The current temple is fifth generation

This Bishamondo Temple of Takkoku no Iwaya has worshiped Bishamonten (God of Success) of 108 at first, but it suffered from a fire repeatedly, the Bishamonten at the time does not stay unfortunately. The current temple was rebuilt in 1961 in the fifth generation. There are 30 of the Bishamonten of various times in the temple now.

takkoku-no-iwaya1 — ossan-hitori-tabi.blog.so-net.ne.jp

The Ganmen daibutsu carved by Minamoto no Yoshiie

The Ganmen daibutsu on rock surface that was carved by Minamoto no Yoshiie appeared upon exiting the Bishamondo. The precincts is not very large, but there are a lot of things to hit travelers in mind like the Bentendo and the temple derived from Aterui.
Some people said “there is a spectacular than Chusonji of world heritage”. When you came to tourism Hiraizumi, it is one of the spots that you should visit.

takkoku-no-iwaya3 — makikotsukada-architects.jp

Information

Name:	Takkoku no iwaya
Adresse:	Hiraizumikitasawa16, Hraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate 029-4102
Access:	JR Tohoku-honsen Line “Hiraizumi-eki Station” (10 minutes by car)
Tel:	(+81) 191-46-4931
Price/Charge:	300 yen (Adult) 100 yen (High School Students or Under) Please refer the official web page.
Official site:	http://www.iwayabetto.com/

日本, 〒029-4102 岩手県西磐井郡平泉町平泉北沢１６達谷西光寺本坊

Ishiwari Zakura (Rock Splitting Cherry Tree), Iwate

By finder Leave a Comment

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Stretching out the trunk vigorously from the crack of the large granite

Ishiwari Zakura (Rock Splitting Cherry Tree) is a 360-year-old Edohiganzakura that grows by breaking huge rocks. This splendid big tree is blooming in the premises of Morioka District Court in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. This tree was designated as a natural monument of the country in 1923. This cherry tree is famous not only because it is simply a long age. This cherry tree is stretching out the trunk vigorously from the crack of the large granite which is around 21 meters. From its appearance, it is called “Ishiwari Zakura”.

The origin of this tree is not certain.

There are various opinions as to why cherry blossoms grew from the crack of rock. Some say, “As the cherry blossoms growing on rocks grow, they broke the rocks.” Another person says, “Cherry blossoms grew in the gaps between rocks that were originally broken.”

The thunder broke the stone

Recently, from the record of old books, the theory that the thunder which fell on the night of heavy storms broke the stone, and the cherry trees grew in that gap has been widely accepted. it is said that as the cherry tree grows, the rock has completely broken.

Is it growing up by strong power

Although it is 360 years old, this cherry tree is still growing. According to a record, it is written that rock cracks have spread 5 centimeters in the last two years. Is it growing up by strong power, so that such a big rock is extended.

The forcibleness of spring of northern countries

This Ishiwari Zakura is a cherry tree of boast very much for the peaple of Iwate. And this cherry tree is said to be a cherry blossoms to announce the arrival of spring from the earliest flower blooming in the surrounding area. How about visiting the forcibleness of spring of northern countries to touch?

Information

Name:	Ishiwari Zakura (Rock Splitting Cherry Tree)
Address:	Uchimaru 9-1 Morioka, Iwate 020-0023 Japan
Access:	Tohoku Shinkansen Line “Morioka-eki Station” (18 minutes walk)
Tel:	(+81) 19-604-3305 (Morioka Tourism Convention Bureau)
Price/Charge:	Free
Official site:	http://www.odette.or.jp/

Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival (Horse Festival), Iwate

By finder Leave a Comment

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

The history of more than 200 years

Iwate was the famous hometown of horse since the time of the Nara period.
Such Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival in Iwate Takizawa City is the traditional event which, appreciate farming horse and pray for state of perfect health, with the history of more than 200 years. 100 horses are dressed up by a colorful costume, together with the owner on the Onikoshisozen-jinja Shrine, and march through about 13-km distance to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine over about 4 hours.

Bells ringing with the lively sound “chagu chagu”

The costumes are handmade of silk and hemp, totaling over 2 million yen.
Since the large and small bells attached to that costume are ringing with the lively sound “chagu chagu”, it came to be called “Chagu Chagu Umakko”.

Horses walking around in a gorgeous colorful costume

“Chagu Chagu Umakko” is the festival of Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture and Morioka City. It is also elected as “100 selections of soundscape in Japan” by the Ministry of the Environment. The highlight is the horses walking around in a gorgeous colorful costume. The line of 100 horses becomes a length of not less than 500 meters.

Very gorgeous costume

The costume to be put on the horses are called “konida Shozoku” (costumes of animals carrying supplies). The costumes include “Neck Armor” “Nose Armor” “Eear Coverings” “Streamer” are very gorgeous. The owner’s feelings to the horse are conveyed.

Heart-healing sight

On the outskirts of the Onikoshisozen-jinja Shrine of the starting point, peaceful pastoral land spreads out against the background of Mt. Iwate-san.
The colorful costumes in the surrounding green, the sound of a bell like “chagu chagu” is comfortable to the ear, and The dry sound of horseshoe “paka paka”. It is the very heart-healing sight.

Information

Name:	Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival (Horse Festival)
Address:	Hachimancho 13-1 Morioka, Iwate 020-0872 Japan
Access:	Morioka Hachimangu Shrine JR Tohoku-honsen Line “Morioka-eki Station” (15 minutes by car)
Tel:	(+81) 19-656-6534 (Takizawa-shi Tourism Office)
Price:	Free
Official site:	http://www.city.takizawa.iwate.jp/

Ryusendo Limestone Cave, Iwate

By finder Leave a Comment

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

One of 100 selections of famous clear water

Ryusendo is a stalactite cave in Iwaizumi-cho, Iwate. It is also called the alias “Iwaizumi Wakkutsu (spring cave)”.
With Akiyoshido in Mine-shi, Yamaguchi and Ryugado in Kami-shi, Kochi, it is considered to be one of “the Japan’s three biggest stalactite cave”.
The very beautiful and highly transparent underground lake is in the limestone cave. As the water of the underground lake of Ryusendo, it is chosen by one of 100 selections of famous clear water in 1985.

5km of its actual full length

The vertical interval of Ryusendo is about 249 meters, and is proud of the 5th place in the cave in Japan. The total extension is checked to approximately 3,631 meters. But the opinion which there is more than 5km of its actual full length. An investigation is not accomplished after a potholer caused a diving accident in Ryusendo in 1968.

There are seven underground lake

In the cave, there are seven underground lake at all including No.3 underground lake with a depth of 98 meters, No.4 underground lake that is not less than 120 meters in depth, etc.

Proud of leading transparency in the world

The water of Ryusendo is proud of leading transparency in the world.
The state to glisten blue of underground lake in Ryusendo is just an unparalleled view. Since river bed water begins to spring from the deep place of the underground of Ryusendo to underground lake, it is thought that high transparency is maintained.

Dating spot famous as “the sacred place for lovers”

The underground lake of Ryusendo is bright blue, and an unforgettable impression will be got if you see it once. It is also a dating spot famous also as “the sacred place for lovers”. How about visiting the beautiful blue world once with couples?

Information

Name:	Ryusendo Limestone Cave
Address:	Iwaizumi 1 Shimoheigun Iwaizumicho, Iwate 027-0501 Japan
Access:	Sanrikutetsudo Kita-Riasu-sen Line “Iwaizumi-Omoto-eki Station” (25 minutes by car)
Tel:	(+81) 194-22-2566
Price:	1,000 yen (Adult) 500 yen (Junior High School Students or Under)
Official site:	http://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/top.php

Chuson-ji Temple, Iwate

By finder Leave a Comment

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Registered as a world’s cultural heritage

The Chuson-ji temple is the head temple of the northeast of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, and Jikaku Daishi founded it in 850.
In 2011, it was registered as a world’s cultural heritage of the UNESCO. Many tourists visit not only from the inside of Japan but from all over the world every day.
It was revived with the meaning which wishes the world of the peace of paradise to this ground at the beginning of the 12th century by the Oshu-Fujiwara clan, and memorial services were equally held for the lives of people who passed away in the battle. Including the Konjiki-do (golden hall), the showpiece of Heian Buddhism (a Buddhist sect established during the Heian period) of 3000 or more are charming people who visit.

Omote-sando of Chusonji, Tsukimi Zaka

The slope which continues from an entrance is Omote-sando of Chusonji (front approach), and is called Tsukimi Zaka (Moonlight Slope). The street lined with trees of the Japan cedar of approximately 400 years old follows both sides of the slope, and there is the faint fragrance of the cedar all over the area.

Designated as the specification tangible cultural properties of Iwate

This is the front gate of Chuson-ji Hondo (main hall of a Buddhist temple) which is in a 560-m point from the entrance of Tsukimi Zaka. This front gate was built in the middle of the Edo period, and designated as the specification tangible cultural properties of Iwate Prefecture.

Various main ceremonies are held

This is the main hall of a Buddhist temple of Chuson-ji. It is a place where various main ceremonies are held. The principal image is Joroku Shaka Nyorai (4.85 metre-high statue of Shakyamuni).

The highest peak of art of the Heian Buddhism

The Konjiki-do (golden hall) was built in 1126, and is the existing only foundation remains of the ancient structure.
There is the mi-do Hall (enshrinement hall) in the depths of the case, and all are covered with gold leaf, and the gorgeousness brilliancy is the best part. Also from that, you can imagine that the Oshu-Fujiwara clan was prosperous. The principal image is Mr. Amitabha Tathagata, and the attendant image of Buddhist statue are Kannon and Bodhisattva of wisdom, furthermore, it is surrounded by six Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva), Jikokuten (White Guardian of the East), Zochoten (Virudhaka). The naijin (inner sanctuary of a shrine or temple), which made magnificence by lacqure craft works such as mother-of-pearl work or piece of lacquer and metal engraving, is said to be the highest peak of art of the Heian Buddhism.

Information

Name:	Chuson-ji Temple
Address:	Hiraizumi 202 Nishiiwaigun Hiraizumicho, Iwate 029-4102 Japan
Access:	JR Senseki-sen Line “Matsushima-Kaigan-eki Station” (7 minutes walk)
Tel:	(+81) 191-46-2211
Price:	Konjikidō・Sankōzō Museum・Sutra Repository・Former Konjikidō ShelterHall 800 yen (Adult) 500 yen (High School Students) 300 yen (Jr. High School Students) 200 yen (Elementary School Students)
Official site:	http://www.chusonji.or.jp/index.html

Geibikei Gorge, Iwate

By finder Leave a Comment

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Counted by one of the 100 Japanese views

Geibikei Gorge, which is counted by one of the 100 Japanese views, is a ravine made by the Satetsugawa river eroded the limestone covering about two kilometers. The precipitous cliff of more than 100 meters height rises in the river bank, and it is visionary deep mountains and dark valleys specified also as the scenic spot of japan. The boating down river, which a boatman handles a ship with one pole skillfully is known as a famous feature of Geibikei Gorge. You can enjoy seasonal color and taste as for the spring fresh green, bright colored leaves, small birdsong, and the river fish jumping on the surface of the water, while hearing song which sounds the towering rock surface.

Wisteria making purple flowers bloom at this cliff

The spring first highlight is wisteria which makes purple flowers bloom at this cliff. On the rock surface which rises high over along the clear stream, bright purple fringes hang down several times over.

The unparalleled view of the maple

At the time of autumnal leaves, the unparalleled view of the maple which colors in red or yellow looks beautiful in the water surface. The best time to see of autumnal leaves begin the end of October.

The world of the black-and-white drawing

Moreover, “Kotatsu (foot-warmer) Ship” which can taste warm Kinagashi-nabe (pot dish) operates around the period of winter. Scenery such as the world of the black-and-white drawing is totally graved on one’s heart deeply.

Forget busy every day and taste calm time

The time required of The boating down river is about 90 minutes by round trip. These days, the female captain is also playing an active part.
Please forget busy every day and taste calm time.

Information

Name:	Geibikei Gorge
Address:	Higashiyamachonagasaka 467 Ichinoseki, Iwate 029-0302 Japan
Access:	JR Ofunato-sen Line “Geibikei-eki” station (5 minutes walk)
Tel:	(+81)191-47-2341
Price:	Boat Trip 1,600 yen (Adult) 860 yen (Under 12 years old) 420 yen (Under 6 years old)
Official site:	http://www.geibikei.co.jp/

Morioka Sansa Matsuri (Japanese Drum Festival), Iwate

By finder Leave a Comment

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Representative festival of Tohoku province

The “Morioka Sansa Matsuri” is the festival performed from August 1 through 4th every year in Morioka-shi, Iwate. It is one of the representative festival of Tohoku area.

Awarded a Guinness record

It was awarded a Guinness record as “the world record of the Japanese drum simultaneous performance” in 2014, and became the festival of the world’s best drum.

Gorgeous outfit

“Morioka Sansa Matsuri” is the great parade with traditional “Sansa Wa-Odori” (dance in a circle), drums, flutes, songs, and dancers. The group dancing by the dancers, who wore gorgeous outfit, with the drum parade is the best part.

Drum roaring the sky of the midsummer

Originally, Sansa Matsuri is the “Bon Odori” (festival dance) that has been popular among local people for a long time. They perform a dance in a group to the rhythm of a drum roaring the sky of the midsummer.

Splendid dance of Miss “Sansa Odori”

A parade starts from in front of Morioka-shi government office.
Starting at a splendid dance of Miss “Sansa Odori” (Sansa Dance), the dance groups of the general participation and the group of traditional members follow.

The Night of Morioka reaches the peak

The parade of “Sansa Drums”, which set a world record for “the Japanese drum simultaneous performance record”, only is performed on the last day. The state that innumerable drums play at the same time is the best part. The Night of Morioka reaches the peak.

Information

Name:	Morioka Sansa Matsuri (Sansa Japanese Drum Festival)
Adresse:	Chuodori Morioka, Iwate 020-0021 Japan
Access:	JR Tohoku-Shinkansen Line “Morioka-eki Station” (15 minutes walk)
Tel:	(+81)19-624-5880 (Sansa Matsuri Executive Committee)
Official site:	http://www.sansaodori.jp/

Iwate

Information

Information

Information

Information

Information

Information

Information

Footer

Newsletter