[Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture] "Nanaza-san" is a sacred mountain that creates a spectacular view with the large curves of the Yoneshiro River, and "Kimimachisaka" associated with Emperor Meiji

Futatsui is an area located in the eastern part of Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, and was once an independent municipality as Futatsui Town. It merged with Noshiro City in 2006 (Heisei 18), and is now part of Noshiro City.

Futatsui has lived in people since ancient times. Abe Hirafu, who defeated the Emishi, also leaves his mark

Futatsui is dotted with villages along the Yoneshiro River, and developed through the water transport of Akita Cedar and mining products developed during the Edo period. It is known that people have been inhabited since ancient times, and ruins from the Jomon and Yayoi periods have also been discovered.

Around Futatsui, the Yoneshiro River meanders like a hairpin curve at two locations, and it was known as the most difficult part of the Yoneshiro River, where large tributaries such as the Anigawa and Fujikoto Rivers join from north to south . The Nihon Shoki, one of Japan's oldest historical books, states that in 658 during the Asuka period, Abe Hirafu the Ezo an unexplored land , passed through this area and headed towards Tsugaru.

Mt. Nanaza, worshiped as a sacred place for Shugendo since the Heian period.

Nanazayama , a mountain range with seven peaks towering on the banks of the Yoneshiro River , is said to have been practiced in the mountains by many ascendants (yamabushi) as a sacred mountain for Shugendo from around the Heian period.

Mt. Nanaza is a mountain with seven peaks from the tip: Matsuza (Matsura/altitude 159.1m), Ozaza (Okura/163.6m), Sanbonsugiza (Sanbonsugikura /153.7m), Shibaza (Shibakura/173.1m), Minoza (Minokura/192.4m), Eboshiza (Eboshira/229.6m), and Gongenza ( Gongenkura/187.4m/main peak). It is designated as the "100 Low Mountains of Japan " (Yama to Keikokusha), and has a forest area and rocky areas of Akita cedar, and is popular as a mountain where you can climb lightly. Furthermore, the scenery of the Yoneshiro River and Mt. Nanaza from the opposite bank is a rare and spectacular view of the river flowing and mountains.

In the mountains there is a lion head that is said to have been carved by Jikaku Daishi. Legends that Kobo Daishi visited

Mount Nanaza, which has been a mountain of faith since ancient times, has many legends remain. Among them, at the foot of the Gongenza and Eboshiza, there is a twig called "Gongen-sama", and the "Lion Head" carved into the rock that sits inside it is a guardian deity of Mt. Shichiza, which is Ennin (Jikakudaishi, 794-864), the third monk of the Tendai sect who built Chusonji (Hiroizumi-cho, Iwate Prefecture) and Tateishi-ji (Risshakuji, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture).

Sugae Masumi, a traveler from the Edo period, also visited Mt. Nanaza in 1802 and drew pictures of "Gongen-sama (Gongen of the Iwao)" and "Lion Head." It also retains the view of Mt. Nanaza from the opposite shore.

At the foot of Gongenza, there is also a giant " Hoke Iwaya ," with countless beehive-like holes, which are said to have been housed by monks, and there is a legend that Kobo Daishi visited Mt. Nanaza.

During the Edo period, Akita cedar forests were strictly protected as sanctuaries of the domain.

During the Edo period, Mt. Nanaza was covered with giant Akita cedar trees, and the Kubota Domain was carefully protected as a mountain directly managed by the Ogikiyama Akita cedars were sold in large quantities to Edo, and the Kubota domain was very rich, but during the Edo period, many times during the large fires that occurred in Edo, a large number of cedars were cut down, causing the forests of Kitaakita to fall into ruin. The domain tried to plant and plant the trees, but while the devastation progressed, it is said that only Nanazayama did not take action, and even today, natural Akita cedars still miraculously remain.

There are several trailheads to Mt. Nanaza, but the most recommended trailhead is the Tenjin trailhead close to Futatsui , with parking and toilets. From this trailhead, there are Gongen-sama and Hokke Iwaya, and it takes about two hours to go round trip to Yanaza Observation Deck It is a course that is easy to walk even for first-time users. Before climbing, stop by Futatsui Road Station to find out the condition of the trail and the weather.

Roadside Station "Futatsui" <Information>

• Facility name: Roadside Station Futatsui
• Location: 51 Kotsuneizumi, Futatsuicho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-74-5118
• Official URL: https://michinoeki-futatsui.jp/
• access:
  • Public Transportation/Get off at Futatsui Station on the JR Ou Main Line, about 9 minutes by Futatsui Community Bus, Roadside Station Futatsui Bus Stop (Community Bus are closed on Sundays and public holidays) or about 5 minutes by taxi
  • Car/Approximately 10 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway

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Nanza Shrine, also known as the god of learning, where Abe Hirafu prayed for victory.

At the foot of Mt. Nanaza, there are two old shrines on the banks of the Yoneshiro River, Nanaza Shrine and Ishosan Shrine. Nanaza Shrine is located on the opposite bank of the Yoneshiro River and is located overlooking the seven peaks of Nanaza Mountain (Nanaza). It is said that Abe Hirafu was erected in 658 to pray for victory when he visited Futatsui on his way to march to conquer Emishi. Nanaza Shrine has long been revered by people and has been at the heart of Nanaza's faith. There are several enshrined deities, including Izanagi Mikoto, known as the god of nation-building, and Izanami Mikoto, and one of them, Sugawara Michizane, is known as the god of learning, and many prayers visit during the entrance exam season.

Nanaza Shrine <Information>

• Facility name: Nanaza Shrine
• Location: 67 Tenshinto, Kotsuku, Futatsui-cho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-73-5075 (Futatsuicho Tourism Association)
• Official URL: Futatsuimachi Tourism Association – Nanaza Shrine
• access:
  • Public Transportation: Get off at Futatsui Station on the JR Ou Main Line, take the Futatsui Community Bus for about 9 minutes, get off at Futatsui Bus Stop on the Roadside Station, about 25 minutes on foot (Community Bus are closed on Sundays and public holidays), or about 10 minutes by taxi
  • Car/Approximately 15 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway

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A 600-year-old ginkgo tree that is said to have produced breast milk when visiting the shrine. "Ginkgo Mountain Shrine" where Abe Hirafu prayed for victory

Ginkgosan Jinja is a shrine located along the Yoneshiro River at the foot of Mt. Nanaza, and is a 1,200-year-old shrine that is said to have been built by Abe Hirafu to pray for victory in the war, just like Nanaza Shrine. There are three old ginkgo trees (estimated to be 600 years old) in the temple grounds, which are said to have been planted during the founding era. The one in the foreground is called "ginkgo (or female ginkgo) with the milk pillar," and it was believed that if a mother with poor milk production makes a wish, the milk will come out. It is said that the wife of the feudal lord, Satake, was also prayed for, and as the milk began to come out, he was allowed to use the Satake family crest.

" ginkgo on the milk pillar is renri ginkgo connected by side branches near the roots of the two ginkgo trees Renri is a word that refers to the fact that two tree branches stick together with other tree branches, and because of their appearance, it is also called the ginkgo of a couple "Married Ginkgo" has long been worshiped as a symbol of marriage and harmony.

Ginkgoyama Shrine <Information>

• Facility name: Ginkgoyama Shrine
• Location: 146 Jinfubo Junior High School, Futatsui-cho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-73-5075 (Futatsuicho Tourism Association)
• Official URL: Futatsuimachi Tourism Association – Ginkgo Mountain Shrine
• access:
  • Public Transportation/Get off at Futatsui Station on the JR Ou Main Line, take the Futatsui Community Bus Tashiro Line, about 10 minutes, get off at Nakadai bus stop, (Community buses are closed on Sundays and public holidays) or take a taxi for about 10 minutes
  • Car/Approximately 15 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway

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Hachirotaro, who appears in "The Legend of the Three Lakes," causes a fuss on Mt. Nanaza

There is a large rock in the middle of the Yoneshiro River, which flows around Mt. Nanaza. This is not just a rock. It is a stone threw by Hachirotaro. Hachirotaro is the Legend of Three Lakes , which is passed down in the northern Akita Prefecture region, and it is said that he was driven out of Lake Towada and had no choice but to build Hachirogata and live in Oga.

Hachirotaro, the main character of Lake Towada, succumbed to his strength with the monks and headed west down the Yoneshiro River. I thought the area around Nanazayama was just right, so I stopped the river and built a lake, and started living there. However, angry at this, one of the gods of the Hachiza (where there was Hachiza at the time) summoned Hachirotaro to the top of the mountain and once again suggested that they compare their strengths.

The rock that Hachirotaro threw only reached the middle of the Yoneshiro River, but the rock that God threw over the river. Taro admitted his defeat, and descended the Yoneshiro River and created Hachirogata. The lake around Mt. Nanaza, where Taro had stopped, was drilled into the embankment by a rat ordered by God, but the water was strong and the water was divided into one of the eighth seats. As a result, Mt. Yaza has become Mt. Yaza, and it is said that the detached one of the temples has become Mt. Nanariyama (161m above sea level) next to the left of Mt. Nanaori.

Kimimachisaka is a scenic spot for Mt. Nanaza, named by Emperor Meiji and became a sacred place for lovers.

" Kimimachisaka Park (Kimimachisaka Prefectural Natural Park)" is a natural park built on the opposite shore of Mt. Nanaza. This area is a riverbank terrace of the Yoneshiro River, and the former Uetsu Kaido, where Abe Hirao and Sugae Masumi walked, was not along the river, but was built in a place with intense ups and downs, which was said to be a daze-hill slope for both Umauezaka. This steep highway has finally been developed to make it easier to walk when Emperor Meiji took part in the Tohoku 14th year.

The Emperor's parade was carried out smoothly, taking a break along the way, but during the break, the empress in Tokyo handed me a letter worrying about the Emperor. The Emperor was very impressed when he read the letter, and combined with the spectacular views along the way, he named Kimimachizaka

The area was later developed as " Kimimachisaka Park ," and became a sacred place for lovers, from an episode of "love letters" from the empress to the emperor. The letters sent from the Koimono Post are filled with fun tactics, such as a postmark of hearts, a bell where you can stay with each other forever when you ring them together, and a heart ema from Koimono Shrine. This natural park is also attractive for its beautiful scenery with every season.

Kimimachi Osaka Prefectural Natural Park <Information>

• Facility name: Kimimachi Osaka Prefectural Natural Park
• Location: 51 Kotsuneizumi, Futatsuicho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-73-5075
• Official URL: Futatsui Town Tourism Association – Kimimachi Osaka Prefectural Natural Park
• access:
  • Public Transportation: Get off at Futatsui Station on the JR Ou Main Line, about 9 minutes by Futatsui Community Bus, Roadside Station Futatsui Bus Stop (Community Bus are closed on Sundays and public holidays), about 5 minutes by foot, or about 5 minutes by taxi
  • Car/Approx. 10 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway, or 15 minutes from Odate Noshiro Airport IC on the Akita Expressway

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