Temples & Shrines Struggles through Life and Death Justin Velgus Beloved writer, teacher, vegetarian, and social activist, Kenji Miyazawa lived a colorful life. His second grave recalls the beauty..
Festivals Daito-Ohara Water Throwing Festival 2026 Mid Feb Every year on February 11th, Ichinoseki City in southern Iwate celebrates the Daito Ohara Water-Throwing Festival. This unique event..
Culture History of Hiraizumi Andrew Checkley This quiet corner of Iwate was once the cultural and commercial heart of nearly a third of Japan.
Culture Morioka Handcrafts Village Justin Velgus Morioka Tezukuri Mura, or Morioka Handi-works Square, is a mock village of traditional arts and crafts. Visitors can view, purchase,..
Culture Ichinoseki Hiraizumi Balloon Festival 2026 Mid Oct The Ichinoseki-Hiraizumi Balloon Festival will once again take to the Tohoku skies this autumn, bringing together elite pilots for..
Festivals Hanamaki Deer Dancers Malcome Larcens Hanamaki Deer Dancers, with over 400 years of history, the Hanamaki festival is one of the best festivals in North Eastern Japan
8 Temples & Shrines Morioka's Hachimangu Shrine Chris Barnes Explore Morioka's Hachimangu Shrine, one of the finest and most relaxing thanks to the lack of crowds.
14 Culture Tono Furusato Village in Autumn Alena Eckelmann To learn more about the culture and tradition in the Tono area of Iwate Prefecture, a visit to the Tono Furosato Village is highly..