[Tono, Iwate Prefecture] “Tono Monogatari no Yakata” allows you to experience old tales for yourself! Let's explore the hometown of monsters on a rental bicycle

  • Last updated: 2022.04.13

This time, we will mainly introduce Tono Monogatari no Yakata, a spot that represents Tono, which is famous as the hometown of monsters. It is a place where you can enjoy seeing, touching, and listening to many stories, including The Tales of Tono.

Many people like old stories. There are places in Tono that are connected to stories, such as Oshira-do and Kappa-buchi.

We recommend renting a bicycle from Tono Station and walking around while enjoying the scenery of the good old town.

The roots of Tono Monogatari no Yakata

Toono Monogatari no Yakata opened in 1986. We are proud of our history of over 30 years.

Initially, the name was ``Tono Folktale Village''. It was renovated in 2013, and the name changed to its current name at that time.

Tono is the hometown of monsters

Speaking of Tono, it is known as the hometown of monsters. The reason for this is ``Tono Monogatari'' compiled by Kunio Yanagita.

This is a collection of folk tales that have existed in Tono since ancient times. Published in 1910.

Among them, there are many yōkai that are still popular today, such as the Yuki-onna, the Kappa, and the Zashiki-warashi. It contains not only ghost stories but also folklore related to Shinto rituals such as spirited aways.

The charm of Tono Monogatari no Yakata

You can experience the world of Tono Monogatari in real life at Tono Monogatari no Yakata. The inn where Kunio Yanagida stayed and the main house of his later years have been relocated.

Of course, you can touch on not only Tono Monogatari but also many other folk tales. One of the attractions is that you can listen to folk tales told by storytellers.

There are places where you can enjoy Tono's local cuisine and a gift shop perfect for souvenirs, making it a spot where you can fully enjoy Tono.

folk tale collection

The warehouse of a sake brewery in Tono has been relocated. This is a place that mainly introduces folk tales passed down in Tono.

The story is presented in visually enjoyable formats such as paper cutouts, silhouettes, and videos, so you will naturally be drawn into the world of the story.

Without this person, there would be no “Tono Monogatari”! Yoshiyoshi Sasaki

In addition to folk tales, there is also a corner introducing Kiyoshi Sasaki. Many people didn't know who this person was until they came here.

Kiyoshi Sasaki is a person known as ``Japan's Grimm''. He is a folklorist from Tono.

He was the person who told Kunio Yanagida the folk tales of Tono folklore, and without him, it can be said that Tono Monogatari would not have been born.

See, touch, hear and enjoy

During the folktales, there is a semi-private room where you can sit on the sofa and listen to the folktales. There is also an exhibit where when you touch an iron figurine, an animated shadow appears. It's a place where you can see, touch, and listen.

Tonoza

``Tonoza,'' located within the museum, is a theater where you can experience folk tales. At a set time, you can listen to the story told by the storyteller.

This is the most important part of Tono Monogatari Hall, and you will be told at the reception desk when the story begins.

Many Tono stories are the subject matter.

Storytellers tell a variety of folk tales. One of the most popular is ``Nezumi no Sumou.'' It's a story about a big fat mouse who lives in a rich family and a very small mouse who lives on good terms with the elderly, and they play sumo.

Another popular story is ``Kappa Fuchi,'' a story about a kappa who has done bad things, such as dragging a horse down an abyss.

A characteristic of Tono's folk tales is that they begin with ``A long time ago,'' and end with ``Dondohare.'' “Kappabuchi” is also like that.

Kappabuchi is an actual place in Tono that I have previously introduced in another article This is also a recommended spot where you might be able to meet a real kappa.

Kunio Yanagida Exhibition Hall

The former Takazen Ryokan is actually the place where Kunio Yanagita stayed. It has been completely relocated.

Not only Yanagita, but also famous people such as Nobuo Orikuchi and Nevsky have stayed here. You can take a look at the tasteful interior of the time from the first floor to the second floor.

The first floor is the living area with a living room and bedroom, and the second floor is the guest room.

There are exhibits about Yanagita's life and other things.

Ito family

If you get hungry after looking around, let's go to Restaurant Itoya. Here you can enjoy Tono's local cuisine. Hitsumi and Genghis Khan are popular.

Hitsumi in particular is a dish that you must try at least once if you go to Iwate. "Hitsumi" is a type of "Suiton". It is so called because it is made by mixing well-kneaded flour and adding it to soup.

The Ito family's dishes are particularly delicious, with a deep flavor from the chicken bones, many local ingredients, and a smooth texture that goes down the throat.

Akabanegura

INFORMATION
  • Name Tono Monogatari no Yakata
  • Address: 2-11 Oodori, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
  • Phone number 0198-62-7887
  • URLTono City official website

tradition garden

There are 1000 Oshirasama in the folk garden.

A legend called Oshirasama, which depicts a love story between a horse and a girl, is also typical of Tono Monogatari. A beautiful daughter marries a horse in the stable, and her father, dissatisfied with this, cuts off the horse's head.

It is said that the girl ascended to heaven with the horse's head. There is a place in the folklore garden where 1000 of these Oshirasama are displayed.

Kikuchi family residence

It is at the back of the Kikuchi Family Residence, a curved house that has been designated as an important cultural property of the country. This curved house is L-shaped and has a main house and a stable built into one.

The folklore of Osirasama recalls how the daughter went to see the horse every night.

Silkworm Shrine

At the back of the Magariya is the Silkworm Shrine (Oshira-do). Oshirasama is offered here. The tips of the mulberry trees are shaped like the faces of a girl and a horse.

It is customary to decorate it by covering it with a cloth with a wish written on it. The cloth is sold for 100 yen each. As a souvenir, add your own to the 1,000 Oshirasama.

INFORMATION
  • Name: Iwate Tono Denshoenen
  • Address: 6-5-1 Tsuchibuchi, Tsuchibuchi-cho, Tono-shi, Iwate Prefecture
  • Phone number 0198-62-8655
  • URLIwate Tono Denshoen Official Website

Summary about the hometown of monsters

The land of Tono is famous for the Tale of Tono, and there are many spots where you can experience the folk tales. There is an unspoiled landscape where monsters such as raincoats and zashiki warashi appear.

There are popular places dotted all the way to the outskirts of the city, such as ``Ukotori-sama,'' which is said to bring success in love, and ``Yamaguchi Watermill,'' which seems to be the setting for folk tales.

There are only one bus per hour. We recommend learning about Tono Monogatari, mainly at Tono Monogatari no Yakata, which we introduced this time, and then renting a bicycle to explore the area.

Bicycles can be rented at the Tono City Tourism Exchange Center in front of Tono Station, ``Tabi no Kura Tono'' (phone number: 0198-62-1333). Please refer to the URL below for prices.

Tono City Tourism Association Official Website: Tono Time

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