Morioka City, Day 1

Morioka, an old castle town founded in 1590, is the capital city of Iwate Prefecture. It is a modern city filled with shopping districts, old temples and shrines, and provides a nice getaway from Misawa. Morioka and Aomori City lay almost equidistant from Misawa; however, Morioka’s route via a toll “highway” allows drivers to avoid two hours of winding rural roads.

500 Buddhist Disciplines (Go Hyaku Rakan)

Buddhist statues, each with a different facial expression, line the inside of Ho’onji Temple in the temple district of Kitayama. Visitors may enter the temple daily from 09:00 to 16:00 after paying the admission of ¥300. These wooden, varnished statues displayed at Ho’onji Temple are considered magnificent example of Japanese art, which were made between 1731 and 1735 by nine Buddhist image sculptors from Kyoto. The number “500” is not literal but a figure of speech meaning “many.” There are actually 499 lacquered wooden statues, each with a different expression and pose. Among them, try to find statues of Marco Polo and Kublai Khan.

We arrived here 10 minutes before closing on an overcast day. The room was dimly lit and we didn’t get the chance to look closely at the different faces. I think this is worth seeing because it is different from all the other big Buddha temples I’ve seen. Most tourists will probably need 30 minutes maximum to observe the different countenances on the statues. The small temple grounds don’t offer much else to see. Children will most likely be bored at this location.

Demon’s Handprints

Across from Hoonji Temple is a small sign that points to the Demon’s Handprints and gives the impression that it is nearby. After following an extremely narrow, winding, neighborhood road, we arrived at our destination. I wouldn’t suggest going here if you are pressed for time because there are better things to do.

Mitsuishi and the Demon’s Handprints

According to legend, a demon named Rasetsu lived in the area and would trouble and scare local villagers and travelers. So the people prayed to the local god Mitsuishi to eject Rasetsu from their village. Mitsuishi defeated and bound Rasetsu to three rocks. Upon being released, Rasetsu placed his handprints on one of the three rocks as a promise never to torment the villagers again. To celebrate ejecting the demon, the villagers expressed their gratitude to Mitsuishi by dancing, hence, the origin of the “Sansa Dance”. Mitsuishi means “three rocks” and Iwate means “rock hand”.

AEON Mall Morioka

Morioka City contains two AEON Malls, one in Morioka City and the other in Morioka-minami. AEON Mall Morioka is two minutes off the toll road’s exit 42. It gives passengers a nice break from the long drive. Visitors can relax, stretch their legs, and grab something to eat. Other well-known stores include GAP, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Baskin Robbins 31 Ice Cream, etc.

AEON Mall Morioka
4-7-1 Maegata, Morioka City
Open every day: 10:00-22:00

JUSCO: 9:00-23:00

http://morioka-aeonmall.com/shopguide/floorguide.jsp

Parc Avenue Kawatoku

Situated in the heart of Morioka City, Park Avenue Kawatoku (est. 1866) is considered a high-end department store and carries stores such as Coach, Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, etc. On the basement floor, there are many restaurants and a confectionery section with Godiva, Morozoff, etc. All parking buildings in this area charge by the hour. This shopping district contains alternating one-way roads. Take precaution and try to read traffic signs or notice the direction of traffic.

Parc Avenue Kawatoku
1-10-1 Saien, Morioka City
Hours: 10:00-19:00

Driving to Morioka from Misawa

1. Get on Falcon Road and go toward the Michinoku Toll Road
2. Go through the toll booth, pay ¥200, take your ticket, and follow the signs to Morioka (about 2-2.5 hours)
3. Take Exit 42 Morioka IC, follow the loop, and turn left onto Route 46

** The toll sign posted ¥3600 ONE WAY from Misawa to Morioka, but we were only charged ¥1500. This may have been a special promotion or discount. Bring plenty of yen.

AEON Mall Morioka

On your left side once you exit the toll road and are on Route 46

500 Buddhist Disciplines

1. From AEON Mall, take a left onto Route 46
2. Continue driving through the Iwate University area
3. Turn right onto Route 4 when the road comes to a T-intersection
4. Turn left at the traffic light titled 455 Kitayama Entrance
5. Make a right at the next T-intersection (the sign pointing to the right reads 455 Morioka Station and the sign pointing to the left reads 455 Iwaizumi)
6. Cross over the railroad tracks
7. Turn left at the traffic light names Kitayama Koban
8. Make the first left
9. Turn immediately left into the small parking area

The Northern Tohoku Tourist Information Centre is located in the waiting room on the 2nd floor (close to the Shinkansen south ticket gate) of Morioka Station. This centre is designated by the International Tourism Promotion Association), and English language assistance is available.

Telephone: 019-625-2090

Hours: 9:00～17:30

Shimoda Salmon Festival in Oirase

Saturday, November 13

Shimoda-machi was a town located in Kamikita District of Aomori, Japan. On March 1, 2006, the town merged with Momoishi-machi and formed Oirase Town. Oirase Town is located in the east south of Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture of the Main Land of Japan. Every autumn, a shoal of salmon return to Oirase River, that runs in the south of the town. During the period from November to mid-December, people gather along Oirase River for Salmon fishing. The number of Salmon that come up Oirase River for breeding is the second largest on the mian island of Japan.

Once known as the Shimoda Salmon Festival, (now titled) Salmon Festival in Oirase is the largest event of Oirase Town and held during the second weekend of November at Shimoda Salmon Park. Children and adults chase and catch river salmon frantically bouncing from a small pool.

Supposedly ocean salmon tastes better than river salmon. This was our second salmon festival in two weeks and we opted not to participate in the salmon catch. In comparison the Rokkasho Salmon Festival, this one is closer to Misawa Air Base and has more of a festival feel to it. In addition, this festival offered activities for young children – games, carnival type rides, salmon catches in pool, and salmon racing. I liked watching this festival more because the salmon catch area was more visible for spectators. Rokkasho’s pool area was enclosed by six feet high mesh netting and the salmon racing was only offered to people who caught salmon. Although I did enjoy both salmon festivals, if you have children and need to choose between salmon festivals, I’d recommend going to Oirase over Rokkasho.

Kyle was so excited to see this girl's shirt because the label (Ishpeming Hematites) on it is a high school that neighbors his hometown in Upper Peninsula, Michigan.

Sugar rush

Chan-chan yaki tent

A small pool is on hand to practice catching salmon.

This festival offers four opportunities to catch salmon, two in the morning and two in the early afternoon. A ticket is required for each person at each scheduled salmon catch. Local dance societies, solo performances, and musical concerts happen on the entertainment stage between 12:30 to 16:30. At the close of the festival on Saturday (Sunday if it rains), fireworks light the sky immediately upon night fall (about 17:00).

Announcements are made in both English and Japanese before the catch begins.
Contestants have about five minutes to catch one salmon with their hands. Tickets may be exchanged for salmon in the event that one cannot be caught.
Between salmon catches, fish are replenished in the pool.

Before last catching opportunity a truckload of more salmon is dumped into the pool.
There is no age minimum or maximum to participate in the salmon catch.
They made it look so easy to catch salmon.
After each event, people can participate in the salmon race.
Salmon cleaning directions obtained from a festival flyer.
Salmon cleaning services are offered for ¥300.

Most heads are discarded during the cleaning process.
Outside the cleaning tent, people may take home salmon parts for free.
Meat buns, more of an autumn festival food, remind me of Filipino siapo.
A plethora of fried food stalls await you.
View of festival from above the park.
Fireworks close the festival

Parking is limited, but sufficient on the premises. Free shuttle buses are available from four areas near Shimoda Park, including Shimoda Train Station on the JR Tohoku Line – which is about a 10 minute walk from the venue. Travel times from each of the shuttle points vary and only six time slots are scheduled to and from the festival.

Oirase Gorge Waterfalls and Autumn Foliage

Saturday, November 6

Map of Oirase Stream and Waterfalls

Lake Towada, Oirase Stream, and Hakkoda Mountains are located in the Towada Hachimantai National Park. Visitors to the park find themselves enveloped by picturesque mountains, lush forests, and clear streams. Oirase Stream flows about 14 kilometers from Nenokuchi, located on the shores of Lake Towada, along the floor of Oirase Gorge. Rocks and sand produced by a volcanic eruption created this stream and is the only outlet for Lake Towada.

Because of the numerous waterfalls along the stream’s trail, it became known as Waterfall Avenue. Brilliant hues of crimson, gold, and ginger as well as, cascading waterfalls along a meandering stream make this an idyllic destination to view autumn’s changing foliage between mid-October and early November.

Ahsura Rapids

Ishikedo

Kumoi Waterfall

Shiraito Waterfall

Grand Choshi Waterfall

Autumn foliage

Directions from Misawa AFB are located on my blog posted on Saturday, August 21, 2010.

http://traveling-tengco.blogspot.com/search/label/North%20Village%20Pizza%20(Stone%20Oven%20Restaurant)