Tono, Iwate

Fukusenji Temple: #1

Start along a guided pathway through a beautiful wooded area of Tono, where there are many temples and shrines along the way. The gold-leafed Fukutoku Kannon enshrined at this temple is the largest wooden statue in the country. This area is beautiful and the nature is rich for photography!

Open: 8:00-17:00

Closed: January-March

Admission Fee: 300JPY- Adults

                          250JPY- Students(13-18)

                          200JPY- Kids(7-12)

Access: About 8 km from Tono Station

              -15 minutes by car

              -35 minutes by bicycle

Address: Matsuzaki-cho Komagi, Tono-shi, Iwate-ken

Phone #: 0198-62-3822

Kappabuchi Pool: #3

Long ago, people have referred to the Ashiarai Stream behind Jokenji as Kappabuchi Pool. There is a small shrine on the riverbank that is dedicated to the mysterious Kappa. Visitors can fish for Kappa, as long as you have a license, and a helpful hint: they love cucumber! It has been said that pregnant women from Iwate come to worship at this shrine, and folktales say that if these women offer a breast-shaped piece of red cloth, they will produce an abundance of milk.

Access: About 6km from Tono Station

              -10 minutes by car

              -25 minutes by bicycle

              -On foot from Denshoen Park - 5 minutes

Denshoen: #5

Denshoen has a number of buildings that show you life from previous generations, including the Kikuchi Family Magariya, which has been designated as a national important cultural asset, and an old storehouse. Denshoen also offers yearly re-enactments, as well as demonstrations of old-fashioned straw-crafts by local senior citizens. Reservations can be made ahead of time for traditional folkcraft making. You can also visit the Oshirado Hall, which contains 1000 Oshirasama. 

Open: 9:00-17:00 

           -open 7 days a week

Admission Fee: 320JPY- Adult

                          220JPY- Kids (7-18)

Access: About 6km from Tono Station

             -10 minutes by car

             -25 minutes by bicycle

Address: 6-5-1, Tsuchibuchi-cho, Tono-shi, Iwate-ken

Phone #: 0198-62-8655

Fax #: 0198-62-0164

Webpage: http://www.densyoen.jp 

Yamaguchi Water Wheel: #7

This water wheel, which was newly renovated, was once used by the community for threshing and milling their crops. It has been preserved as one symbol of pastoral Tono. This is a beautiful mountainous area, nearby Kizen Sasaki's Birthplace, Denderano, and other historical Tono landmarks!

Access: About 12 km from Tono Station

             -25 minutes by car

             -50 minutes by bicycle

Tono Municipal Museum: #9

Both the library and museum are located in this building. The museum, which is found on the 3rd and 4th floors, has three exhibition rooms where you can learn about Tono History, a virtual exploration of folk culture. The Multi-Screen Theater offers a chance to watch folk tales while slides and other materials provide a glimpse into local performing arts, folk beliefs, farm life, and other aspects of Tono.

Open: 9:00-17:00

Closed: May-October (Last day of Month)

             November-March (Mondays and Last day of the month)

             November 24-30

             December 28 - January 4

Admission Fee: 300JPY- Adults

                         150JPY- Students (7-18)

Access: About 0.7 km form Tono Station

              -10 minutes on foot

Address: 3-9, Higasidate-cyo, Tono-shi, Iwate-ken

Phone #: 0198-62-2340

Fax #: 0198-62-5758

Gohyaku Rakan: #2

 Crop failures caused thousands of people to die more than 220 year ago in Tono. After this took place, 

a Buddhist priest carved reliefs of 500 rakans(disciples of Buddha) on natural rocks in the area. About 380 moss-covered, stone images can still be seen today! This is a miniature hike through a path in the woods.

Access: About 3 km from Tono Station

              -8 minutes by car

Tsuzukiishi Stones: #4

A massive boulder 7m wide, 5m deep, and 2m thick, sits on top of two smaller stones. The stones are so large that a person can walk in-between the two giant stones. No one really knows whether this is a natural formation or manmade construction. It takes about a 20 minute short hike to arrive at the stones!

Access: About 10 km from Tono Station

              -15 minutes by car

Jokenji Temple:#6

On the left side of the Temple grounds, there is a stone statue called Kappa Komainu (Kappa Guardian Dog). The head of this unique statue has a sunken depression for holding water. According to folktale legends, the Kappa that lived in the river to the south of the temple once helped extinguish a fire by pouring out all of the water from the sunken depression on top of its head. It is said that people erected the statue in appreciation.

Access: About 6km from Tono Station

              -10 minutes by car

              -25 minutes by bicycle

              -On foot from Denshoen Park - 5 minutes

Tono Furusato Village: #8

This is a facility in Tono where a traditional farming village has been renovated, which is sure to arouse a sense of nostalgia in many a Japanese mind, and to offer an authentic experience for visitors from around the world. Most of the buildings are designated as national tangible cultural properties. You can make reservations ahead of time to try over 20 activities, such as farming and making straw or bamboo crafts, pottery, or even tie-dye crafts. At the restaurant, you can enjoy a variety of traditional dishes of Tono, such as hittsumi, kanenari, and keiran, as well as jingisukan. In winter, you can try dobekko (home-brewed sake), and watch a kagura (shinto dance) performance. Watch the Video Below for more beautiful photos of Tono Furusato Village.

Open: 9:00-17:00 (March-October)

           9:00-16:00 (December-February)

           -open 7 days a week

Admission Fee: 540JPY- Adults

                          320JPY- Kids (7-18)

Access: About 12 km from Tono Station

              -20 minutes by car

Address: 5-89-1, Tsukimoushi-cho Kami-Tsukimoushi, Tono-shi, Iwate-ken

Phone #: 0198-64-2300

Fax #: 0198-64-2827

Email: [email protected]

Webpage: http://www.tono-furusato.jp