Culture Motsuji Temple The Motsuji Temple was once a large and important temple of the Tendai sect and consisted of numerous buildings. Today Motsuji is best known for his garden,..
Culture The Genuine ‘Nanbu Tekki’ Kettle Scott Brause Nanbu Tekki is the name of traditional Iwate cast ironware. Genuine cast iron cookware from this region of Japan is born of a 900-year..
Culture Seaweed and Sightseeing in Iwate Veronica Carnevale Iwate is Japan’s second largest prefecture area-wise and is located in the country’s northeastern Tohoku region. In this massi..
Culture Iwate Coffee Festival 2026 Mid May Coffee lovers visiting Tohoku have something special to look forward to this spring: the return of the Iwate Coffee Festival, which..
Museums Tono: Legends and Landscapes Imogen Riethmuller The city of Tono in Iwate is the place to go to experience traditional Japanese culture, complete with a wealth of folklore and..
Festivals Hanamaki Souminsai 2026 Friday - Jan 2nd The Hanamaki Souminsai is held every year on January 2nd at the Koshio shrine on Mount Koshio.
Historical Kappa Monster Hunting in Tono Justin Velgus Kappa monsters can supposedly be found over Japan, but there is one place where they said to be so common they are immortalized..
Culture Kitakami Michinoku Geino Festival 2025 Aug 1st - Aug 3rd The Kitakami Michinoku Geino Festival is held each year on the first weekend of August
