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If you are planning a trip to Iwate Prefecture! 7 recommended sightseeing spots full of romance

If you are planning a trip to Iwate Prefecture! 7 recommended sightseeing spots full of romance

2021-12-15 Management office

Iwate Prefecture, which can be easily reached by Shinkansen bullet train, actually has many tourist attractions. Among them, we have collected only romantic sightseeing spots for this issue. Please use them as a reference when sightseeing in Iwate.
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Blue Cave



The only cave located in a full-fledged coastal park among the national parks in eastern Japan is called the Blue Cave in Iwate Prefecture. The cave gets its name from the exquisite color of the beautiful sea, which is illuminated by the light from outside the cave. The Blue Cave is made of white rock called rhyolite, which was formed from magma 52 million years ago, and has taken its present shape through sea erosion and weathering, so it is quite a mysterious sight.
The coastal park where the Blue Cave is located has a well-maintained promenade that allows visitors to take a closer look at the beautiful rias coast as well as the Blue Cave.
With small islands made of igneous rock and other features, it is a very satisfying sightseeing spot as well as a scenic spot. In summer, visitors can swim in the sea and enjoy a luxurious beach resort.

Adventure on a boat!



A small boat ride for a small group of people from Jodogahama beach on the Sanriku coast allows visitors to enter the Blue Cave. The boat also takes you to places of interest such as Ken-no-Yama, Sai-no-Kawara, and Blood Pond, so you can visit tourist attractions efficiently. 2 to 7 people in a small sapa boat and wearing helmets will give you a sense of adventure.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Ao no Dokutsu (Blue Cave)
Address: Hitachihama-cho, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, 027-0001
Tel: 0193-63-1327 (Blue Cave Sapa Boat Tour)
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This cave was formed by sea erosion and weathering of rhyolite rock formed from magma. It is called the Blue Cave because it glows a beautiful blue when light shines through.
URL: None

Yanmei Kei



This sightseeing spot is located in Iwate Prefecture in the middle reaches of the Iwai River and is designated as a national scenic beauty spot and a natural monument.
It is a very special place where you can enjoy the beautiful transition of the forest with many strange and mysterious rocks. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom, and during the season of fresh green and red leaves, the area attracts even more tourists. There is also a suspension bridge, from which the view is spectacular. The bottom of the suspension bridge is made of wood, so you cannot see directly down, but you can see everything else, so be careful if you are afraid of heights. Also, be careful of your footing as you are walking on the rocks.

Kakko dango (dumplings) are famous!



When you arrive at the rest area in the canyon, there is a basket tied to a rope. Put in the payment and ring the wooden mallet, and dango and tea will be sent in the basket from the tea house " and from Cucuuya ". They are also famous as flying dumplings and are often seen on TV. There are five dumplings on a skewer and three dumplings of different kinds.
There are three types of dumplings: an-dango, sesame dango, and mitarashi dango.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Genbikei Gorge
Address: Takinoue, Itsukumi-cho, Ichinoseki, Iwate 021-0101
Phone number: 0191-23-2350
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space/facilities:
URL:https://www.ichitabi.jp/

limestone cauldron



Designated as a national natural monument, these caves were formed by the erosion of basalt by the roughness of waves. It is called Nanatsugama because of the seven naturally formed caves in a row.
You can also take a viewing boat here to get a closer look at the columnar joints. You can also stop by tourist spots such as Takashima Island, and depending on the height of the waves, you may even be able to enter the caves. At the same time, you can see the rough waves of the Genkainada Sea up close, making this a spot where you can enjoy the sea of Iwate.

There is also a viewing platform from above!



Nanatsugama Park, a nearby national park about a 10-minute walk away, has an observatory with a spectacular view of the ocean in the distance. Please enjoy the spectacular view created by nature and the blue ocean from the lawn, boardwalk, and observation deck.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Nanatsugama
Address: 〒847-0135 Yakataishi, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture
Phone number: 0952-25-7080
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Designated as a national natural monument, these seven caves were naturally formed by the roughness of the waves. Visitors can take a close look at the caves by taking a ride on a viewing boat.
URL:https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji0037985/index.html#7tu

SL Galaxy



If you are planning to visit Iwate, a ride on the SL Ginga is recommended. This steam locomotive SL train is inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad," which is representative of Hanamaki City in Iwate Prefecture. Visitors can enjoy the changing scenery from inside the train, which was designed in the image of the Taisho Era (1912-1926). It is also a special train with a gallery and planetarium. This is a popular train, so early reservations are recommended. This train allows you to immerse yourself in the world of Kenji Miyazawa.

Steam locomotives themselves are rare!



It is rare to see steam locomotives running in Japan today, and steam locomotives that boil steam with coal and water and use the heat from the steam are few and far between in Japan. In addition, starting with Shin-Hanamaki Station, station lunches are sold in baskets made of bamboo bark.
We hope you will enjoy a memorable steam train trip.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: SL Ginga (Essuerginga)
Address: 1-1 Odori, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate 025-0092
Phone number: 0198-23-5226
Hours of operation: Departure details on the official website.
Closed: Departure details on the official website
Budget: destination plus reserved seat fee adult 820 yen/child 410 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Visitors can ride on a steam locomotive inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's Night on the Galactic Railroad. There is also a planetarium and gallery, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the retro era.
URL:https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/galaxysl.html

Kenji Miyazawa Fairy Tale Village



Experience five worlds at the popular Kenji's School!



The popular Kenji's School includes the Fantasy Hall, the Space Room, the Sky Room, the Earth Room, and the Water Room, with a huge kaleidoscope space, Kenji's chair, and other fluffy fantasy worlds that will interest visitors even if they do not know about Kenji Miyazawa.
There is also an exhibition facility of a log house that appears in Kenji Miyazawa's fairy tales, and it is an enjoyable space that is sure to get you fully immersed in the experience.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kenji Miyazawa Fairy Tale Village
Address: 26-19 Takamatsu, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate 025-0014
Phone number: 0198-31-2211
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
Budget: Adults 350 yen / High school and university students 250 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 150 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This fantasy world recreates the images of fairy tales by Kenji Miyazawa, a native of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Even those who do not know Kenji Miyazawa can enjoy it.
URL:https://www.city.hanamaki.iwate.jp/miyazawakenji/dowamura/index.html

Seven Falls



This waterfall cascades down in seven stair-like steps on the way up Mt.
This spectacular view can be seen after walking about 1.5 km up the mountain amidst thick beech trees. Nanataki Falls is a 43-meter-high waterfall, and is a good spot to bathe your whole body in negative ions. It is said that the water from the falls can prevent eye diseases, and some people can be seen using their fingers to dip their eyelids in the water. It is also famous for its spectacular icicles in winter.

There are seven waterfalls in total.



Walking up the mountain is difficult, but it is not so hard because you are going through a healing space. Trekking while listening to the murmuring streams is an exhilarating experience. There are seven waterfalls in total, and we recommend that you visit the last seven.
Nanataki Daimyojin, located on the way to Nanataki, is said to be the god of marriage, so stop by when you visit Nanataki.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name: Nanataki
Address: Aza Shimofuyubu, Tabe, Kuzumaki-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate 028-5401
Phone number: 0195-66-2111
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space & Facilities: There are 7 waterfalls in Mt. Iwate, from 1 to 7, and it is about 1.5 km to walk up. Bathe in lots of negative ions.

Kosode Divers Center



This is the Kosode Ama Women's Center, made instantly famous by NHK's Amachan. It is a popular spot for ama divers as a sacred pilgrimage site.
From the sea right next to the site, visitors can see real ama divers diving into the sea, and can clearly see how they dive barefoot through the crystal clear water.
It is the northernmost place to go bare diving, and along with Kosode Beach, which is lined with strange rocks and monstrous stones, you can enjoy freshly caught raw sea urchin bowls and other delicacies.

Here is a photo spot!



It is recommended to take a picture with the stone monument because this place is famous as a sacred place for ama (women divers) who dominated the world.
The restaurant serves freshly caught raw sea urchins and scallops, making it a gourmet spot as well. Please note that divers dive only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July to September.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kosode Ama Center
Address: 24-110-2, Ube-cho, Kuji, Iwate 028-8111
Phone number: 0194-54-2261
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays, subject to weather conditions
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: You can actually watch ama divers bare dive, made famous by the drama "Ama-chan". You can also eat freshly caught sea urchins and scallops.
URL:http://www.kuji-tourism.jp/

summary

The recommended spectacular views are great, but since this is Kenji Miyazawa's hometown, his world is scattered all over the place.
Of course, you should enjoy not only sightseeing but also delicious gourmet food.

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