Sukawa Kōgen (須川高原) in Ichinoseki is the plateau halfway up Mt. Kurikoma (栗駒山). You can find the unique volcanic landscape at Sukawa Kōgen, including lakes, marshes, wetlands, and alpine plants. The hot spring gushing out here has a strong acidity but is said to be effective for gastrointestinal issues and skin diseases. In autumn, the […]
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Mt. Murone (室根山) is Ichinoseki‘s perfect spot to enjoy nature and a range of outdoor activities. Besides hiking trails, lookouts, and camping sites, it has an astronomical observatory. The mountain has a height of 895 meters. On a clear day, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic mountainous and ocean view from the summit.
A Guide to Exploring and Climbing the Stunning Mt. Murone Read More »
If you are curious about how fancy a chief retainer’s residence in Iwate Prefecture was during the Edo period, visit the Former Numata Family Samurai Residence (旧沼田家武家住宅) in Ichinoseki. The Numata clan was the chief retainer of Ichinoseki Domain (一関藩). The residence was determined to be completed in the beginning of the 18th century. The
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Most people visit Ichinoseki City for the Genbikei Gorge and Geibikei Gorge. They are the top spots in Iwate Prefecture to enjoy nature’s blessing. But if you are in the city from spring to autumn, there are a couple of places you can head to to adore seasonal flowers. So, don’t be too disappointed if
The Hidden Flower Spots in Ichinoseki That You May Not Know Read More »
The Roadside Station Genbikei (道の駅 厳美渓) is a large complex with several facilities, including a farmers’ market, Restaurant Pattankun, and Ichinoseki City Museum. Located just a 5 to 10-minute walk from the spectacular Genbikei Gorge, it is a perfect resting spot after exploring the gorge.
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When people visit Semboku City in Akita Prefecture for leisure, their preferred natural destinations will most likely either be Nyūtō Onsen (乳頭温泉郷), Lake Tazawa (田沢湖), or Tamagawa Onsen (玉川温泉). While those spots are definitely worthwhile places to visit, we would recommend that you also drop by the Dakigaeri Valley (抱返り渓谷) close to Kakunodate (角館) as
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Lake Tazawa (田沢湖) in Semboku City in Akita Prefecture, with a depth of 422.4 meters, is the deepest lake in Japan. The 6 kilometers wide caldera lake was formed due to a volcanic eruption. Because of its depth, the lake can absorb a lot of heat in summer that even in the snowy winter, its
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For those who likes herbs, stop by Tazawako Herb Garden Heart Herb (田沢湖ハーブガーデン ハートハーブ) when you visit Lake Tazawa. The garden that is around a 10-minute walk from Tazawako Resthouse is filled with about 250 different types of plants, including herbs inclusive! Not only can you adore and smell the flowers and herbs in the
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Lake Tazawa isn’t just a scenic lake close to Kakunodate. The lake has a legend that a couple of the attraction on the lakeshore is related to it. And the center of the legend is associated with Gozanoishi Shrine (御座石神社). Not only can you worship the guardian god of Lake Tazawa here, but there are
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Just like its name, the houses where samurai used to reside are lining up on Bukeyashiki Street (武家屋敷通り) in Kakunodate! A couple of these 200-year-old traditional houses are open to the public. Finding the differences in the construction of the houses between the home of top-ranked samurai, middle-ranked samurai, and lower-ranked samurai can be really fun!
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