"Kimimachisaka" associated with the sacred mountain "Nanazazan" and Emperor Meiji [Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture]

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

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Futatsui has been inhabited since ancient times. Abe no Hirafu, who conquered the Emishi, also left his mark

Futatsui is a town dotted with settlements along the Yoneshiro River, and developed through the water transport of Akita cedar and products from mines developed during the Edo period. It is known that people have lived in this area since ancient times, and ruins from the Jomon and Yayoi periods have been discovered

was known as the most difficult part of the Yoneshiro River, where the river makes two large hairpin bends and where the Ani River and Fujikoto River Hirafu passed through this area on his way to Tsugaru when he marched to conquer the uncivilized Emishi

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Shichizayama has been worshipped as a sacred place for Shugendo since the Heian period

Nanakurayama , a mountain range with seven peaks towering above the meandering banks of the Yoneshiro River , is said to have been a sacred mountain for Shugendo since the Heian period, with many ascetic monks (yamabushi) training in the mountains.

Shichizayama is a chain of seven peaks: Matsukura (159.1m above sea level), Okura (163.6m), Sanbonsugikura (153.7m), Shibakura (173.1m), Minokura (192.4m), Eboshikura ( 229.6m ), and Gongenkura ( 187.4m , main peak). Designated one of the " 100 Low Mountains of Japan " (Yama to Keikokusha), it is popular for its Akita cedar forests, rocky areas, and ancient shrines, making it a great place for light hiking. The view of the meandering Yoneshiro River and Shichizayama from the opposite bank offers a truly spectacular view of the river and mountains interwoven.

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In the mountains, there is a lion's head said to have been carved by Jikaku Daishi. There is also a legend that Kobo Daishi visited the place

Shichizayama has been a sacred mountain since ancient times, and many legends remain about it. Among them is a cave called "Gongen-sama" at the foot of the mountain, about halfway between Gongen-za and Eboshi-za. Inside is a rock carved with a "lion's head," which is said to be the guardian deity of Shichizayama and was created by Ennin (794-864), a high priest of the Heian period and the third head priest of the Tendai sect, Iwate Prefecture) and Risshaku-ji Temple (Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture).

The Edo period travel writer Sugae Masumi also visited Shichizayama in 1802 and drew pictures of the "Gongen-sama (Gongen of the Rocks)" and the "Lion's Head." He also left behind a picture of the view of Shichizayama from the opposite bank

Hokke-no-Iwaya , a huge cavern with countless beehive-like holes where monks are said to have secluded themselves , and there is also a legend that Kobo Daishi visited Shichizayama.

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During the Edo period, the Akita cedar forest was strictly protected as a sacred area of ​​the domain

During the Edo period, Mt. Shichiza was covered with giant Akita cedar trees, and the Kubota clan a mountain under their (Ojikiyama). Akita cedar was sold in large quantities all the way to Edo, bringing great wealth to the Kubota clan, but after several major fires in Edo, large amounts of cedar were cut down, leaving the forests of Kitaakita devastated. The clan made efforts to reforest, but while the devastation continued, it is said that Mt. Shichiza remained untouched, and miraculously, natural Akita cedars remain to this day.

There are several trailheads to Mt. Shichiza in the surrounding area, but the most recommended trailhead is the Tenjin Trailhead, near the Futatsui , which has a parking lot and toilets. From this trailhead, you'll be close to Gongen Shrine and Hokke Cave, and the Minoza Observatory, it's only about a two-hour round trip. It's an easy course to walk, even for first-time hikers. Before starting your climb, be sure to stop by the Futatsui Roadside Station to check the trail conditions and weather.

Roadside Station "Futatsui" <Information>

• Facility name: Roadside station "Futatsui"
• Address: 51 Kotsunagiizumi, Futatsui-cho, 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
  • By car: Approximately 10 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway

Google Map

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Shichiza Shrine, where Abe no Hirafu prayed for victory in battle and is also known as the shrine to the god of learning

At the foot of Mt. Shichiza, on the banks of the Yoneshiro River, lie two ancient shrines: Shichiza Shrine and Ishosan Shrine. Shichiza Shrine is located on the opposite bank of the Yoneshiro River, overlooking the seven peaks of Mt. Shichiza. It is said to have been built in 658 by Abe no Hirafu to pray for victory when he visited Futatsui on his way to conquer the Emishi. Shichiza Shrine has long been revered and is at the center of Shichiza faith. Several deities are enshrined here, including Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, known as gods of nation building. One of these, Sugawara no Michizane, is known as the god of learning, and is visited by many people during exam season

Shichiza Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Shichiza Shrine
• Address: 67 Tenshindokami, Kotsunagi, Futatsui-cho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-73-5075 (Futatsui Town Tourism Association)
• Official URL: Futatsui Town Tourism Association – Shichiza 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 the Futatsui Roadside Station bus stop and walk for about 25 minutes (the community bus does not run on Sundays and holidays), or take a taxi for about 10 minutes
  • By car: Approximately 15 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway

Google Map

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A 600-year-old ginkgo tree that is said to give breast milk to those who worship at it. Ginkgo Mountain Shrine, where Abe no Hirafu prayed for victory in battle

Ichosan Shrine is a shrine located at the foot of Mount Shichiza, along the Yoneshiro River, and, like Shichiza Shrine, is said to have been built by Abe no Hirafu to pray for victory in battle, making it a 1,200-year-old shrine. Within the shrine grounds are three ancient ginkgo trees (estimated to be 600 years old) that are said to have been planted around the time the shrine was founded. The one in the foreground is known as the "Nyubashira no Ginkgo (or Female Ginkgo)," and it was believed that if a mother with poor milk production prayed to it, they would be able to produce milk. It is said that the wife of Lord Satake, the feudal lord, also prayed to it, and her milk production improved, which is why she was given permission to use the Satake family crest.

" Nipple Ginkgo " there are two ginkgo trees connected by a horizontal branch near the base, known as the " Renri Ginkgo ." Renri is a word that describes the branches of two trees joining together, and because of this appearance, it is also known as the " Couple Ginkgo ." The "Couple Ginkgo" has long been believed to be a symbol of marital harmony.

Ginkgo Mountain Shrine <Information>

• Facility name: Ginkgo Mountain Shrine
• Address: 146, Nibunabo-naka, Futatsui-cho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-73-5075 (Futatsui Town Tourism Association)
• Official URL: Futatsui Town 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 for approximately 10 minutes, then get off at Nakadai bus stop for approximately 10 minutes (community buses do not operate on Sundays and public holidays), or take a taxi for approximately 10 minutes
  • By car: Approximately 15 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway

Google Map

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Hachirotaro, a character from "The Legend of the Three Lakes," causes a commotion on Mount Shichiza

There is a large rock in the middle of the Yoneshiro River, which flows around Mount Shichiza. This is no ordinary rock. It is a stone thrown by Hachirotaro. Hachirotaro is a character who appears in the "Legend of the Three Lakes ," a legend passed down in the northern part of Akita Prefecture. He is said to have been driven out of Lake Towada, reluctantly created Lagoon Hachirogata, and lived in Oga.

Hachirotaro, the lord of Lake Towada, lost a contest of strength to a monk and traveled west down the Yoneshiro River. Finding the area around Shichizayama Mountains to be a good fit, he dammed the river to create a lake and began living there. However, one of the eight gods (there were eight at the time) became enraged and summoned Hachirotaro to the top of the mountain, where he proposed another contest of strength

The rock that Hachirotaro threw only reached halfway up the Yoneshiro River, but the rock that the god threw crossed the river. Taro admitted defeat and went down the Yoneshiro River, creating Lagoon Hachirogata. The lake around Mt. Shichizayama that Taro had dammed up was created when a hole was made in the bank by a mouse at the command of the god, but the water was so powerful that it separated one of the eight lakes. As a result, Mt. Hachizayama became Mt. Shichizayama, and the separated lake is said to have become Mt. Nanaori (161m above sea level), located to the left of Mt. Shichizayama

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A scenic spot on Mount Shichiza, "Kimimachizaka" was named by Emperor Meiji and has become a sacred place for lovers

Kimimachizaka Park (Kimimachizaka Prefectural Natural Park) is a natural park developed on the opposite bank of Mt. Shichizayama. This area is a river terrace of the Yoneshiro River, and the old Uetsu Kaido road, which Abe Hirafu and Sugae Masumi walked, was not built along the river but on a steep slope known as Umajozaka or Chikushozaka. This steep road was finally improved to make it easier to walk on in 1881 (Meiji 14), when Emperor Meiji toured the Tohoku region.

The procession of the Emperor was carried out smoothly, with breaks along the way, but during one of the breaks, the Empress in Tokyo handed the Emperor a letter expressing her concern for him. The Emperor was deeply moved when he read the letter, and, together with the beautiful scenery he saw along the way, he named Kimimachizaka

This area was later Kimimachizaka Park , and became a sacred place for lovers due to the story of the love letter from the Empress to the Emperor. There are many fun features, such as a heart postmark on letters posted through the Love Letter Post, the Kimimachi Bell that lovers can ring to stay together forever, and the heart-shaped votive plaques at Koibumi Shrine. This natural park is also attractive for its beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.

Kimimachizaka Prefectural Natural Park <Information>

• Facility name: Kimimachizaka Prefectural Natural Park
• Location: 51 Kotsuneizumi, Futatsuicho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-73-5075
• Official URL: Futatsui Town Tourism Association – Kimimachizaka Prefectural Natural Park
• access:
  • Public transportation: Get off at Futatsui Station on the JR Ou Main Line, take the Futatsui Community Bus for about 9 minutes, then go to the Futatsui Roadside Station bus stop (community buses do not operate on Sundays and holidays), then walk for about 5 minutes, or take a taxi for about 5 minutes
  • Car/Approx. 10 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway, or 15 minutes from Odate Noshiro Airport IC on the Akita Expressway

Google Map

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