Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture — Where Folklore, History, and Nature Sing in Harmony

Hiraizumi Konjiki-dou

Iwate Prefecture blends the legacy of the Oushuu Fujiwara clan with the spiritual majesty of Mt. Hayachine and the scenic beauty of the Sanriku Coast. It is the birthplace of MIYAZAWA Kenji, whose whimsical tales and poems still shape the cultural identity of the region. His Memorial Museum and the fairytale-inspired Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura remain highlights for literary visitors.

Ryuusendou, one of the three largest limestone caves in Japan, is also not to be missed.

MIYAZAWA Kenji Douwa mur

Ryuusenndou

YANAGITA Kunio’s Touno Monogatari (Tales of Touno) also defines the area’s folklore heritage, collecting eerie and captivating folk tales that continue to draw attention to Iwate’s rich oral traditions. Local legends, such as kappa and guardian spirits, are deeply rooted in the towns of Touno and surrounding villages. Historical sites like Morioka Castle and the Chuuson-ji Golden Hall tell of the prefecture’s elegant past, while culinary icons like wanko soba, Morioka reimen, and jajamen offer unforgettable flavor. The prefecture’s famed Nambu cast ironware is a beloved traditional craft known even abroad.

Touno Kappa fuchi

We hope you will try the Wanko Soba.

Iwate is about 2.5 hours from Tokyo by bullet train. The people are known for their perseverance, humility, and quiet strength—traits that also surfaced during the long recovery from the 2011 disaster.

One of the best-known children’s songs, Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa, was written by SATOU Hachirou. Though penned in Tokyo, the gentle transition of early autumn captured in the lyrics may reflect the influence of his Iwate-born wife and the quiet sensibility found in northern landscapes.

Skimmed milk was the norm back then.

Another notable piece is Takibi, written by Iwate-born TATSUMI Seika. While it depicts a winter street corner in Tokyo, its warmth and community spirit resonate with the snowy rural scenes of Touhoku life.

Iwate’s cultural soul is also inseparable from MIYAZAWA Kenji, the poet and storyteller who blended science, religion, and nature into works like Night on the Galactic Railroad and Ame ni mo Makezu. His view of the universe as both wondrous and sacred left a deep mark on Japan’s poetic and musical expressions.

Peasant poet’s song still resonates

YANAGITA Kunio’s Tales of Touno also preserves tales such as the mischievous kappa, the divine spirit Oshira-sama, and the childlike zashiki-warashi. These folkloric figures breathe life into Touno’s rustic charm, inviting visitors into a world of mystery and cultural richness. Places like the Touno Folklore Village bring these timeless stories to life.