When you think of Inari shrines, the red torii gates are what make them stand out, but the highlight is the vermilion torii gates seen at Takayama Inari Shrine in Aomori Prefecture, at the northern tip of Honshu. In snowy Aomori Prefecture, the vermilion torii gates stand in a garden buried in white snow...
One of the most important figures in the history of Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, is Uesugi Yozan. To this day, he is affectionately and respectfully referred to as Lord Yozan. In this article, we will explore who Uesugi Yozan was...
Koshio Shrine, located in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, is one of the nationally designated tangible important cultural properties. However, in January 2021, the shrine made the news when its torii gate broke off at the base due to strong winds and collapsed. This article examines the foundation...
Murasakihime
Did you know that Tohoku is home to two World Heritage Sites? The natural heritage site "Shirakami-Sanchi" and the cultural heritage site "Hiraizumi." Of these, the natural heritage site "Shirakami-Sanchi" was Japan's first World Heritage Site...
There are many winter festivals in Tohoku, but one that stands out among them and has a long history is the Kokusekiji Somin Festival, held at Mt. Myoken's Kokusekiji Temple in Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture. It has a long history...
Miyagi Prefecture is famous for Zao, which is well known for its hot springs, skiing, and frost-covered trees. However, the most famous spot is "Okama." It's not a rice cooker, but a...
On the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, there is a scenic spot called Hotokegaura, where large, strangely shaped rocks stand in a row. It is a truly mysterious and mystical sight. The group of strangely shaped rocks stretches for about 2 km along the coastline...
When people think of Shiroishi Castle, they often think of Katakura Kojuro, a man beloved by such great figures as Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. Many people visit in the spring to see the cherry blossoms.
Toshogu Shrine is a historic shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Many people have probably visited Nikko Toshogu Shrine on a school trip. However, there are other Toshogu shrines besides Nikko...
Chimon
One of Yamagata Prefecture's most famous spots is the Juroku Rakan Rocks. These rocks are rock-carved Buddha statues that have survived the rough waves for over 150 years, making them extremely rare even in Japan.
