IWATE
Iwate is the biggest prefecture in Honshu and has endless beautiful coastlines. A glorious buddhist culture which flourished at the end of the Heian era still remains and captivates visitors in Hiraizumi, which is a world heritage. There is also a lot of traditional culture such as Nanbu ironware and Hidehira-nuri.美しい海岸線がどこまでも続く本州最大の県。世界遺産「平泉」には平安末期に栄えた華やかな仏教文化が残され人々を魅了する。南部鉄器、秀衡塗などの伝統文化も豊か。
-
1. Sansa Odori さんさ踊り
In the center of Morioka City, a parade is held with around 10,000 people performing the Sansa Odori dance. The sounds of taiko drums, flutes, bells, and dancers thunder through the summer twilight. Join the happy cries of “Sakkora choiwa yasse!” along with the dance.
盛岡市中心部、約1万人の大パレードがさんさを踊る。夕闇の夏空に和太鼓、笛、かね、踊り手たちの舞が轟いていく。踊りに合わせ「サッコラ チョイワ ヤッセ!」と掛け声して幸せを呼び寄せよう。
Google Map -
2. Tono Furusato Village 遠野ふるさと村
A recreation of an Edo/ Meiji Period farming village with authentic straw-roofed “magariya” houses. Experience village life with bamboo crafts, fishing, noodle making, and storytelling around the fire.
江戸-明治の農村風景を再現しており、茅葺屋根の「曲がり家」は当時のまま。竹細工や草木染め、ヤマメのつかみ取り、蕎麦打ち、囲炉裏での昔話など、郷の暮らしを体験できる。
Google Map -
3. Geibikei Gorge 猊鼻渓
An approximately 2km long gorge formed by the Satetsu River in the south of the prefecture. As your boat passes by rock walls of up to 100m high, the sound of the boatman singing “Keibi Oiwake” echoes quietly through the gorge. Try throwing “good luck stones” into the hole in the rock wall to make your wishes come true.
県南部、砂鉄川沿いの約2kmの渓谷。最大約100mの大壁岩の間を舟で進み、船頭が唄う「げいび追分」が静かな渓谷に響き渡っていく。壁岩の穴に入ると願いが叶う「運玉」も挑戦したい。
Google Map -
4. Motsuji Temple (Pure Land Garden) 毛越寺
Motsuji Temple is a World Heritage Site that was constructed in the Heian Period. It includes a “Pure Land Garden” that represents the world of the Buddha. In the lake that takes up much of the garden, Buddhist paradise is represented with strings of jewels, gemstones, and dry gardens with artificial hills.
平安時代に建立された世界遺産・毛越寺、ここに仏の世界を現した「浄土庭園」がある。庭園の大部分を占める池には勾玉、玉石、枯山水の築山など、極楽浄土が表現されている。
Google Map -
5. Aragami Shrine 荒神神社
This straw roofed temple stands in a yellow field in the southeast of the prefecture. The locals have strong faith in the temple, which they call “Aragami-sama.” The harmonious combination of the clear summer sky, the round little shrine, and quietly swaying rice plants will bring peace to your heart.
県南西部、黄金色の田んぼに佇む茅葺屋根のお堂がある。地元の信仰が厚い「アラガミサマ」だ。爽やかな夏空、小さな宝形造社殿、静かに揺れる稲の調和した景色に心が和む。
Google Map -
6. Jodogahama Beach 浄土ヶ浜
One of the most picturesque beaches on the Sanriku Coast, its green pine trees, pure white sand, and bright blue sea look just like paradise. Take a ride on a "sappa" boat to reach the beautiful, jewel-like, cobalt colored “blue cave.”
三陸海岸を代表する景勝地。松の緑に真っ白な砂浜、瑠璃色の海の景観はまさに極楽浄土。さっぱ船に揺られて進むと宝石のように美しいコバルトブルーの「青の洞窟」に辿り着く。
Google Map