[Miyagi Prefecture] 4 famous waters in Miyagi Prefecture! What is the famous water in Sendai, the capital of Michinoku no Mori, that only those in the know know about?

In Miyagi Prefecture, there are many spring waters that are used for domestic purposes, mainly in the northern part of the prefecture centered on Kurihara City, and in the towns along the Ou Mountains on the west side and Watari City in the southern part of the prefecture, which connects to the Abukuma Highlands. You can

However, there are no springs found in the streets of Sendai, the ``City of Seon Yukashiki Forests,'' where the clear Hirose River flows.

However, in a broader sense, "Sendai City" has some refreshing, famous waters, and we will introduce these and other famous waters as well.

What is “famous water”?

Japan has many springs, rivers, and underground waters of high quality and abundant water, which support people's lives as drinking water, domestic water, and agricultural water.

Among these, particularly refreshing water sources are called ``Meisui.''

There are no clear definitions or standards, but what all famous waters have in common is that they are carefully protected by the local community to ensure that they remain clean.

Selected by the Ministry of the Environment as ``100 Best Waters'' and ``100 Best Waters of the Heisei Era''

In 1985 (Showa 60), the then Environment Agency selected particularly excellent water environments from rivers and springs across the country, and selected them as ``100 Famous Waters'' with the aim of preserving them into the future. Ta.

In 2008, ``Heisei's 100 Famous Waters'' was released, which includes not only rivers and springs, but also irrigation water and groundwater.A total of 200 famous waters were selected, with 12 in each area in Tohoku. 24 locations are considered famous waters.

Miyagi Prefecture's famous waters selected as one of the ``100 Best Waters Selected by the Ministry of the Environment''

The Wakusui water that was selected as one of the top 100 famous waters is the one that flows through Kurihara City, which is located at the foot of Mt. Kurikoma in the northern part of the prefecture and is rich in nature, and the one that flows through the lush green Sendai City, which is known as the largest city in the Tohoku region. There are two locations along the Hirose River.

Although there are mountains that serve as water sources on the surrounding prefectural borders, it is said that because the plains are wide, there is less spring water in densely populated areas compared to the other five prefectures in Tohoku.

Hirose River: Sendai City

The Hirose River, which is loved by the citizens of Sendai and is sung in songs as a symbol flowing through the city, has a total length from its origin near Sekiyama Pass in Aoba Ward, Sendai City, on the border with Yamagata Prefecture, to its confluence with the Natori River. It is a first-class river of the Natori River system with a length of 45 km.

Although it flows through a metropolis with a population of over 1 million people, the water quality is good and many creatures live there.

In Sendai City, there is a large difference in height from the river surface due to the river terraces, so both banks have been left in their natural state, and are a relaxing place for Sendai residents to enjoy sweetfish fishing and sweet potato stew on the riverbank.

It is said that the name "Hirose River" comes from the fact that there are many shallow waters that can be crossed on foot.

INFORMATION

• Name: Hirose River
• Location: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 022-214-8327 (Sendai City Construction Bureau, Centennial Forest Promotion Department, River Division, Hirose River Creation Office)
• URL: Hirose River homepage

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Katsura Shimizu : Kurihara City

Takashimizu, Kurihara City, located in the northern part of the prefecture, is rich in nature, and has seven areas that have been called the ``Nana-Shimizu'' since ancient times: Katsuraha Shimizu, Oyamashita Shimizu, Shimizu Gongen Shimizu, Shimizu Gongen Shimoshimizu, Shinmachi Ura Shimizu, Kongoin Shimizu, and Honmachi Ura Shimizu. There is fresh water.

Among these, the Katsuraha Shimizu, which springs from the root of a large Katsura tree and has an abundant amount of water, is affectionately known locally as ``Katsurappa'' and has been cherished as a water source for daily life.

The quality of the water is so famous that it was presented to Emperor Meiji, with a hardness of 89.0 mg/L, and is still used as water for sake brewing.

However, although water quality tests are conducted regularly, boiling sterilization is recommended before drinking.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Katsuraha Shimizu
• Location: 28 Takashimizu Chofukuji, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 0228-58-2113 (Kurihara City Hall Takashimizu General Branch Industrial Construction Division)
• URL: Kurihara City official website

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Miyagi Prefecture's famous waters selected as one of the "100 Best Waters of the Heisei Period" by the Environment Agency

Two places in Miyagi Prefecture were selected for the last 100 Best Waters, but even though there are many famous waters known only to those in the know, not a single place was selected for the Heisei 100 Best Waters, and I don't know why. I'm very sorry.

2 delicious famous waters in Sendai City

Did you know that Sendai City, which has five administrative wards, actually stretches from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Yamagata Prefectural border in the west?

We will introduce two places where you can drink refreshing fresh water in Sendai City, near the Yamagata Prefecture border.

Izumigatake no Shimizu (Izumigatake no Shimizu): Izumi Ward, Sendai City

Located in front of Izumigatake Ski Resort, which is about an hour's drive from Sendai Station, this Shimizu has been used as a water fountain since ancient times, and is visited by many people on holidays.

The quality of the water seems to be good enough to be used as drinking water, but there is information that it may be spring water rather than spring water, so it is recommended that you sterilize it by boiling it after drinking it.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Izumigatake no Shimizu
• Location: Fukuoka Dakeyama, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: unknown
• URL: unknown

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Nikka Whiskey Miyagikyo Distillery’s brewing water: Aoba Ward, Sendai City

Miyagikyo Distillery, whose address is 1 Nikka, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, is located at the confluence of the Hirose River and the tributary Nikkawa River, and the climate is suitable for making whisky, making it delicious. It is producing.

High-quality water is essential for making both whiskey and sake, and Masataka Taketsuru of Nikka Whiskey decided to build a distillery here after mixing black Nikka with water from the Shinkawa River and checking the taste. It seems like it is.

The brewing water used is underground water from the Shinkawa River that springs up on the premises, and you can sample this underground water as a chaser when tasting whiskey at the visitor center.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Nikka Whiskey Co., Ltd. Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery
• Address: 1 Nikka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 022-395-2865
• URL: Nikka Whiskey official website

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summary

Miyagi Prefecture, home to the large city of Sendai and the center of the six prefectures in the Tohoku region, is also a producer of delicious rice, and has high-quality water, which is an absolute prerequisite.

In addition to Nikka Whiskey, there are many sake breweries that are famous nationwide, so you can see that Miyagi Prefecture has good water.