This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Misato Town is located in the center of the Yokote Basin, which stretches from Yuzawa City to Semboku City from north to south, and borders Daisen City in Akita Prefecture to the west and Nishiwaga Town in Iwate Prefecture to the east
The Rokugo Springs are an area in the alluvial fan of the Maruko River, which flows from the western edge of the Ou Mountains, where underground water springs out in over 120 locations
Masumi Sugae, who walked along the Rokugo Springs during the Edo period and left behind colorful 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. Particularly during the Edo period, it developed as a post town on the Ushu Kaido road, which passed through Aomori, Akita, and Yamagata and joined the Oshu Kaido road
The Rokugo Springs were depicted in several colored landscape paintings by Sugae Masumi, a travel writer who traveled extensively throughout the Akita domain in the late Edo period . These paintings were included in his travelogue, "Sugae Masumi's Travelogue" (77 volumes, 12 chapters). This travelogue is an extremely valuable document, as it provides detailed descriptions of the springs and the Rokugo area during the Edo period, along with accompanying text.
*"Sugae Masumi's Travelogue (Autographed Manuscript Donated to Meitokukan), 77 Volumes, 12 Chapters"is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
"Otakodai Shimizu" used as the kitchen of the lord of Akita domain
Odaidokoro Shimizuis a spring that gushes forth at the site where the second lord of the Akita domain, Satake Yoshitaka, is said to have had a villa (Otabisho/a resting place when he came hunting, etc.).
Masumi Sugae wrote, "This water was used for cooking in the mansion, and so it came to be called 'Odaidokoro Shimizu.'" This spring is relatively large among the Rokugo Springs, and is well maintained and kept in its natural state
Takasho Shimizuis a spring located within the grounds of Taikei-ji Temple, near the temporary shrine of Satake Yoshitaka. It is said that when Yoshitaka came hunting, his falconer would soak his falcon's food in this spring.
Niteko Shimizuis one of the most famous springs in the Rokugo Spring Group. The name "Niteko" is said to be a corruption of the Ainu word "nitai-kotsu," which means a low-lying area with a puddle. It is written as "似手古" in kanji, and there is a Niteko Shrine at the back of the spring. In the Meiji era,"Niteko Cider,", was sold and became famous.
"Niteko Cider"is the first cider produced in Akita Prefecture, and production began in 1902 (Meiji 35) using spring water from "Niteko Shimizu".
Currently, "Handmade Workshop Yuko-chan" has taken over production from the original company that ceased operations. The product lineup includes five varieties: the nostalgic "Niteko Cider," as well as "Niteko Apple Cider," "Niteko Honey Cider," "Niteko Kyoho Cider," and "Niteko Carbonated Water."
Egaoshimizu (Smiling Spring)was a spring that gushed forth in 1891 (Meiji 24) within the grounds of the residence of Kyuzaemon Hatakeyama, the first mayor of Rokugo Town (present-day Rokugo, Misato Town).
Currently, the Takahashi Sake Brewery, a sake brewery, stands here, and the water is used as brewing water. It is said that it was Kyuzaemon who named the water "Smile Spring Water," saying, "I heard that when he saw his own reflection in the spring water, he had a smile on his face, so he named the water Smile Spring Water" (original text / Takahashi Sake Brewery Records)
Homon Shimizuis a spring that was once located within the grounds of the former Homonzan Shorakuji Temple, and is now situated in a quiet residential area. It is part of an area where many springs gush forth, including Taikeiji Temple, where Takasho Shimizu is located, and Odaidokoro Shimizu, making it an ideal area for a spring-walking stroll.
Fujishimizuis located in an area close to "Niteko Shimizu" and "Egao Shimizu," and is named "Fujishimizu" (Wisteria Spring) because of the wisteria trellises that are built around it and the magnificent flowers that bloom there.
Kamisukiza Shimizuwas a place where washi (Japanese paper) was made using water from this spring until the early Taisho era. Paper mulberry trees, the raw material for paper, are planted in the surrounding area, and the name comes from the fact that there was a paper-making office called "Kamisukiza" in the Edo period that produced the paper for the banknotes of the Akita domain.
Hatachiya Shimizuis a spring located on the grounds of Hatachiya Liquor Store, and after World War II, Hatachiya was known for using it to cool alcoholic beverages such as sake and cider during the summer months.
The Misato Lavender Gardenis not part of the "Rokugo Spring Water Group," but it is a facility unique to Misato Town that can make abundant use of its pure spring water. Approximately 20,000 lavender plants are planted on an area of about 2 hectares (6,000 tsubo).
The best time to visit is from early June to early July, when the Misato Sekka white lavender, discovered at the Misato Town Lavender Garden, is in full bloom, creating a magnificent contrast of white and purple.
My love of travel led me to work for a travel magazine some time ago, and now I work as a travel writer for an online publication. I have visited all 47 prefectures in Japan, focusing on the Tohoku region, and I enjoy soaking in hot springs and experiencing traditional Japanese culture, including old townscapes, lifestyles, and performing arts and crafts
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