[Misato Town, Akita Prefecture] ``Rokugo Yusui Group'' where 120 springs have enriched people's lives

The Rokugo area of ​​Misato Town, Akita Prefecture, is home to one of Japan's most famous waters, known as the Rokugo Springs.

Misato Town is located in the center of the Yokote Basin, which runs from Yuzawa City to Semboku City and extends from north to south, bordering Daisen City in Akita Prefecture on the west and Nishiwaga Town in Iwate Prefecture on the east. ``Rokugo Yusui Group'' is an area where underground water gushes out from about 120 locations in the alluvial fan of the Maruko River, which flows from the western end of the Ou Mountains.

During the Edo period, Masumi Sugae walked through Rokugo Spring and left behind colored paintings.

Rokugo was the territory of the Rokugo clan until the Sengoku period, and the Satake clan of the Akita domain during the Edo period. Especially during the Edo period, it developed as a post town on the Ushu Highway, which passes through Aomori, Akita, and Yamagata and joins the Oshu Highway.

``Rokugo Yusui Group'' was written by Masumi Sugae, a traveler who traveled throughout the Akita domain in the late Edo period, in his ``Masumi Sugae Travelogue'' (77 volumes and 12 chapters). I still have some colored landscape paintings left. This sightseeing diary is a very valuable document, as it describes in detail the spring water pond and the Rokugo area during the Edo period, along with text.

*“Masumi Sugae Travelogue (autograph dedicated to Meitokukan) in 77 volumes and 12 chapters” is an important cultural property of the country.

• Facility name: Kamisukiza Shimizu
• Address: 23/24 Hakusan, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Kamisukiza Shimizu

• Facility name: Kamisukiza Shimizu
• Address: 23/24 Hakusan, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Kamisukiza Shimizu

``Odaidokoro Shimizu'' was used in the kitchen of the Akita feudal lord.

``Odaidokoro Shimizu'' is said to have been the villa (resting place for people who came hunting) of Yoshitaka Satake, the second lord of the Akita domain. It is a spring that springs up in a place where Masumi Sugae wrote, ``Since this water was pumped for cooking in the mansion, it came to be called ``Odaidokoro Shimizu.'' It is a relatively large spring in the Rokugo Yusui Group, and is well-maintained and maintained in its natural state.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Odaidokoro Shimizu
• Address: 2 Homon Shimizu, Rokugo, Misato-machi, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Odaidokoro Shimizu

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"Falconry Shimizu" was used for falconry by the Akita feudal lord.

``Takasho Shimizu'' is a spring water that gushes within the grounds of Taikeiji Temple, which is located near Yoshitaka Satake's inn. It is said that this is the spring where a falconer kept food for his hawks when Yoshitaka came hunting.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Falconer Shimizu
• Address: 11 Homon Shimizu, Rokugo, Misato-machi, Akita Prefecture (Taikei-ji Temple precincts)
• URL: Falconer Shimizu

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"Niteko Shimizu" where Niteko cider is made from this spring water

``Niteko Shimizu'' is one of the famous waters representing the ``Rokugo Yusui Group''. The word "Niteko" is said to be a corruption of the Ainu word "Nitaikotsu", which means lowland with puddles. It is written in kanji as "Niteko", and there is "Niteko Shrine" at the back of the fountain. During the Meiji period, ``Niteko Cider'' made from this spring water was sold and became famous.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Niteko Shimizu
• Address: 61 Omachi, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Niteko Shimizu

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"Niteko Cider" has been made since the Meiji era

"Niteko Cider" is Akita Prefecture's first cider, which began production in 1909 using spring water from "Niteko Shimizu." Currently, ``Handmade Studio Yuuko-chan'' is manufacturing the products, inherited from the founding company that has ceased operations. In addition to the nostalgic "Niteco Cider," the product lineup includes five types: "Niteco Apple Cider," "Niteco Honey Cider," "Niteco Kyoho Cider," and "Niteco Carbonated Water."

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Niteko Cider/Akita Misato Zukuri Co., Ltd.
• Phone number: 0187-84-0020
• URL: Niteco Cider

"Egao Shimizu" is still used as water for sake production.

"Egao Shimizu" (smiling fresh water) was born in 1891 (Meiji 24) at the residence of Hatakeyama Kyuzaemon, the first mayor of Rokugo Town (now Misato Town Rokugo). Currently, the factory of the Japanese sake manufacturer Takahashi Sake Brewery is built there, and the water is used for brewing sake. It was Kyuzaemon who named it ``Smile Shimizu'' and said, ``When I saw my reflection in the clear water and heard that he was smiling, I called this pure water a smiling Shimizu.'' (Original text / Takahashi Sake Brewery store diary) It is said that he gave it the name.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Smile Shimizu
• Address: 72-13 Homon Shimizu, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Smile Shimizu

• Facility name: Takahashi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
• Address: 72-13 Rokugohomon Shimizu, Misato-cho, Semboku-gun, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0187-84-1201
• Brand: Okushimizu
• URL: Takahashi Sake Brewery

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"Homon Shimizu" located in a quiet residential area

``Homon Shimizu'' is a spring water that used to be inside a temple called Homonzan Shorakuji, and is now located in a quiet residential area. It is located in a corner of many springs, including Taikeiji Temple, where ``Takasho Shimizu'' is located, and ``Odaidokoro Shimizu'', making it the perfect area for walking around the springs.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Homon Shimizu
• Address: 104 Nishitakata-cho, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Homon Shimizu

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``Fujishimizu'' derives its name from the stunning wisteria trellis

``Fujishimizu'' is located in an area close to ``Niteko Shimizu'' and ``Smile Shimizu,'' and it is named ``Fujishimizu'' because of the wisteria trellis around it that produces beautiful flowers.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Fujishimizu
• Address: 10 Hondo-cho, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Fujishimizu

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``Kamizuza Shimizu'' used to make Japanese paper for banknotes.

Kamisukiza Shimizu was the water used to make washi paper until the early Taisho era. The area is surrounded by mulberry trees, which are the raw material for paper, and the name comes from the fact that in the Edo period there was a government office called "Kamizuza" that made paper for the Akita clan's banknotes.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Kamisukiza Shimizu
• Address: 23/24 Hakusan, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Kamisukiza Shimizu

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"Hatachiya Shimizu" where Hatachiya liquor stores kept sake cold

"Hatachiya Shimizu" is a spring water located on the premises of a Hatachiya liquor store, and after World War II, Hatachiya was also known for cooling drinks such as sake and cider during the summer.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Hatachiya Shimizu
• Address: 52-1 Hondo-cho, Rokugo, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• URL: Hatachiya Shimizu

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Misato Town Lavender Garden, where spring water grows beautiful lavender

"Misato Town Lavender Garden" is not part of the "Rokugo Spring Water Group", but it is a facility unique to Misato Town where you can use plenty of refreshing spring water. As many as 20,000 lavender plants are planted in an area of ​​approximately 2 hectares (6,000 tsubo). The best time to see it is from early June to early July, when the white lavender ``Misato Sekka'' discovered at the ``Misato Town Lavender Garden'' is in full bloom, creating a stunning contrast between white and purple.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Misato Town Lavender Garden
• Address: 1-4 Odaino, Chiya, Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0187-85-3131
• Opening period: Mid-June to early July (Lavender Festival)
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
• Admission fee: Free admission
• URL: Misato Lavender Garden

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