Japan is often called the land of the rising sun, but where should you go to witness the sun rise over this beautiful land? For those of us travelling to Japan we have probably seen a sunrise whilst struggling with jet lag, from our hotel room or the airport. Even from the plane window! However,…
“夏草や 兵どもが 夢の跡”(`Natsukusa ya tsuhamonodomo ga yume no ato`) – “Grasses in summer, the warriors’ dreams… all that is left”. This poem, written by Master haikuist Matsuo Bashō after he visited the ancient temple complex of Hiraizumi, is one of the most famous writings in Japan. Located in Iwate on the banks of the Kitakami-gawa, these simple…
It is a fact that many lives were lost during the 2011 triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident in Japan. Since many people have a hard time enduring the bereavement of their loved ones, the so-called “Phone of the Wind” was made. It was meant as a tool for one-way communication in which…
It is always a pleasure riding luxurious trains in Japan. Besides being free from clusters of people, these trains are amenity-rich and outfitted with hotel-quality sleeping compartments. This coming summer, the “Pokemon with You” Train will be back in service! Though not that luxurious, the train has been designed to give everyone an awesome and…
Iwate Prefecture (岩手県) in the northeastern region of Tohoku (東北) in Japan has the lowest population density in the whole country after Hokkaido (北海道). Its capital is Morioka (盛岡市), a beautiful riverside city with a population of just 299,169 (as of September 2015). Even though it’s a scarcely populated city, it has a lot of…
In Japan, bread rolls called “koppe pan” are extremely popular and when you go to elementary schools in Japan, these bread rolls are frequently included in the lunch menus. They are basically the Japanese equivalent of hot dog buns but slightly larger and fluffier. In Morioka City in Iwate prefecture, there is a store called…
The Morioka History and Culture Museum preserves items related to the history of its city and its rich artifacts. Are you aching to find out more about Morioka? Do you wish you had all the knowledge imaginable regarding this city? Even if you don’t live in Morioka, the stories you may hear are fascinating. I…
Rikuzentakata is one of the cities in Iwate which was heavily devastated by the 2011 tsunami in Japan. It was even reported as being ‘wiped off the map’. However, out of 70,000 trees that once lined the shore, only one survived and soon became an iconic symbol of hope for the people and has since…
Over a thousand years ago, a Buddhist Temple was built in the rock wall of a cliff in Hiraizumi, Iwate. It was called Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo which was primarily dedicated to the warrior gods of the 9th century. At that time, Japanese territories were expanding northwards which was followed by several battles with Emishi…
In the mountains of Iwate nestles a deteriorating theme park known as Tohoku New Zealand Village. It was built based on Japan’s idea of New Zealand culture. The village is quite charming where you are likely to see alpacas, sausages and unique architectures. There are also a few attractions such as rides and performances by…
