Iwadeyama castle in Miyagi, Morioka Ishiwari Sakura in Iwate Trip

Iwadeyama castle in Miyagi, Morioka in Iwate Trip

I would like to inform Iwadeyama castle in Miyagi, Morioka in Iwate Trip.

I start from Naruko Hot Spring to Yubikan station by JR.
Yubikan is in front of this station.
Yubikan was built for the education house of Date clan.
Yubikan is repairing now.
Around Yubikan,Japanese beautiful garden is existing

I go to Iwadeyama castle ruin.
20minutes walking, I arrive at Iwaseyama Castle.
Masamune Date stayed in this castle.
Current only stone wall and statue of Masamune Date.

Next is Morioka.
I get off at Morioka station, go to Morioka castle ruin.
15 minutes walking,I arrive at this castle.
This castle has Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru.
There is only stone wall.
Good Morioka view is seen.

Next is Morioka historical museum.
This museum shows Morioka history from Heian periodic.
Entrance charge is 300yen.
Nanbu clan is covered from Kitakami to Shimokita.
Current Iwate prefecture is moved to South from Ichinoseki to Ninohe.
Nanbu clan history is also displayed.
Morioka is the central city from Edo periodic.


I go to Jyoto Natatsugawa.
This area has many Meiji period structures.
Start is Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Youth museum.
This museum shows Takuboku Ishikawa & Kenji Miyazawa historical goods.
1st floor has Cafe shop.


Next is Iwate Bank old main shop.
Current this shop is repairing.
Morioka bank is opposite diagonally.
This main shop is Greek style and beautiful.

Next is Konyamachi Banya, Fire department branch house.
This is built at 1913.
Hexagonal tower is over the house.

Next is "Kiku no Tsukasa" Sake brewing since 1772.
I buy "Hichi Fuku Jin" sake.

I go through Kamino bridge, route 455.

I go to District court.
Ishiwari Sakura is existing in thus court.
This cherry tree is 400 years old.
This tree break big stone.
Foreign travelores is grad to see this cherry tree.
They say wonderful, nice.
This cherry tree is Natural monument, and most famouse in Morioka city.

For supper, I eat Katsuo Tekone Sushi.
This is nice menue.

I stay at Morioka hotel, tomorrow I go to Hanamaki.

That's it.

Sakata city in Yamagata, and Naruko Hot Spring in Miyagi Trip

I would like to inform Sakata city in Yamagata, and Naruko Hot Spring in Miyagi.

Go to Sakata from Niigata by JR.
Japan Sea is available to see along north Niigata.

I rent a bicycle at Sakata hotel.
Sakata city has lots of no charge bicycle, I recommend you to rent this bicycle.
I go to 5 hours bicycle trip seeing trip guide green cource.

I go to Honma hose.
This house is Samurai and Merchant house.
Guide person explain this house in detail.
This house sell Edo period goods.

Next visit is Sankyo Warehouse.
This warehouse is famouse in Sakata, and for rice warehouse.

There are 11 warehouses.
The innermost warehouse is a rice museum.
This museum shows Shonai rice history.
I receive seeds of Haenuki rice.
At Edo period, Sakata is flourished city for trading rice and Benibana flowers.
Sankyo warehouse and Keyaki tree area is a West of warehouse.
This area is also the location of the TV series NHK novel of "Oshin".


Next is Sanno Club.
This house is Japanese restaurant.
At early Meiji period, lots of MPV persons were visiting this restaurant.

Next is Hie shrine.
This shrine holds Sanno festival.
This main shrine is decorated by dragon, dog, monkey.


West of this shrine, Hiyoriyama park is existing.
Sunset from this park is wonderful.


After seeing the sunset, I return my hotel, and drink Japanese Sake "Jyokigen".

Next morning, I go to Naruko Hot Spring.

En route, I visit Shinjo city.
This station has Shinkansen, and modern station house.


I get off at Naruko-Onsen station.

Naruko hot spring is a big three hot springs in Tohoku.

Takinoyu is a oldest Spring at Naruko.
About 7 minutes walking from station.
Charge is only 150yen.

I try to make a Onsen-Eggu.
I buy egg and go to "Onsen Egg factory"

This factory has only Hot Spring Well.
Hot spring temperature is 70degree.
Enter egg to this well for 25minutes, you can make a Onsen-Egg.
It is soft and delicious.

Naruko has a Naruko Kokeshi.
I buy a Chochin of Naruko, shape is Naruko Kokeshi.

I stay Naruko hot spring Hotel.
Naruko Hotel adopt Japanese style Omotenashi.
I drink Sake "Nauko no Yu" and sleep.

Historical city Sakata, Famouse hot spring NarukoOnsen.
Both are wonderful spots.

That's it.

Yonago Castle Ruin, Izumo-Taisha schrine

I would like to inform Tottori city, Yonago Castle Ruin, Izumo-Taisha schrine.

Go to Kamigori from Himeji. Change train at Kamigori to Jito Express "Inaba" to Tottori.


Get off at Tottori, walk north about 10minutes, you arrive at Fukuro River.
April 4, cherry blossoms are in full bloom.



Next is Yonago city.
Going to Yonago by JR train, you can see a Japan sea.
Mikuriya station is oldest station building in Sanin line.
Near Yonago station, lots of Wind-generated electricities are seen.


HokiDaisen station, big Mt.Daisen is near th station.
I remember Daisen climbing at high school summer climbing.

I arrive at Yonago station.

Get off this station, go along Chokoku road 15minutes, you arrive at Yonago castle ruins.

Over route 9, this is a entrance of Yonago Castle.
Climbing castle mountain, soon arrive at view place.
You can see a Yonago sea.
Climb 10 minutes, you arrive at Honmaru.




Honmaru is a big place.
Over Honmaru, there is Tenshukaku ruin．
Yonago castle is built by Hiroie Kikkawa at 1591.
At 1601, Kazutada Nakamura establish Tenshukaku.
This castle is biggest in Sanin area.
Castle is dismantled at Meiji period, but current is only stone wall.
From Tenshukaku ruin, wide Yonago sea, and Yonago downtown are seen.
It is a splendid view.


After Yonago, go to Izumo city station.

I arrive at Izumo city. I stay this city hotel.

Next morning, I ride Ichibata Electric Railway to Izumo Taisha shrine.




I go to Izumo-Taisha-Mae.
Ichibata Electric Railway is used for Movie"RAILWAYS".
Used train for movie is displayed at this station.
You can see the train and movie photos.
Acter Kiichi Nakai act a train driver.



Get off Izumo-Taisha-Mae, this station building is old and traditional.
Go to north, after some shops, you arrive at shrine gate.




Go to approaching road, big pillar is seen at right side.
At Yamato period, high building is established at here.
This pillar is used for this building.
This pillar is combined 3 pillars by band.


Go forward, you can see a OkuniNushi-No-mikoto statue worshipping Mitama ball.
This statue is according to Old Japanese story.

Final gate and Pray shrine are seen.
Pray shrine has a big Shimenawa.
Over Pray shrine, Main shrine is existing．
Main shrine worships OkuniNushi-No-mikoto.
Main shrine is a big shrine that is 24m height.
Pray method is 2bows-4beats-1bow．
This pray method is original one, usually shrine adopt 1bow-2beats-1bow.



Next is Izumo-Taisha-material museum.
This entrance charge is only 200yen.
This museum display this shrine's history, and shrine's Miniature model.
You will understand overall shrine buildings by this Miniature model.



Izumo-Taisha is famous for god of marriage.
Heisei Daisengu is finished last year.
Daisengu is repairing roof and broken structures after 60years.

So. Current Izumo-Taisha is beautiful.
Please visit and pray Izumo-Taisha.

Next report is Iwami silver mine.

That's it.

Ehime Pref. Trip No.2

Ehime Pref. Trip No.2
I would like to inform Uwajima, Ozu, Imabari, Shimanami-SeaRoad Trip of Ehime Pref.

From Matsuyama to Uwajima by JR.
Between Takanogawa to Iyo-Nagahama, JR go along near sea.
Wide view of the sea is seen, it is majestic.

It is unexpectedly that Ehime Pref. people don't like Udon noodle like Kagawa people.
Ehime does not have many Udon noodle shops.
Ehime people like Sea bream rice and Jyako-Ten.
Sea bream rice is a Rice covered with Sea bream.
Jyako-Ten is that grinding small blue fishes, and make a long flat shape, then fried.

I stay at Uwajima.
I drink 'Iyo no Koigokoro' Sake.
This Sake is clean and mild taste, it is easy to drink.

Next morning, I go to Uwajima Bullring.
From Uwajima station, it is 2km east.
Bullring shows Bullfighting, 4 or 5 times per year.
This year, January 2nd, it was held.
Without Bullfighting, we can see video of Bullfighting.
See Bullfighting is necessary to confirm Bullfighting schedule.

Next is Uwajima Castle.
From Uwajima station, 1.5km South east.
Uwajima castle is one of 12original wooden castle in Japanese.
Near castle gate, stone steps start.
The pitch of stone steps is not equal, I am tired to climb this steps.

About 10 minutes climbing, you arrive at castle garden.
Tenshukaku has 4 floors, and is not big.
At top floor, we can see Uwajima Harbour.

This castle structure is simple and without decoration.

I go to Kadoya restaurant for eating Sea bream rice.
Sea bream of Uwajima sea bream rice is raw fish, except south Iyo use sea bream is steamed fish.
Uwajima sea bream rice is more delicious than Matsuyama one.
Uwajima's sea bream is famous in Japan, please enjoy sea bream cuisine.
Sea bream rice

Put the raw sea bream in sauce which seasoned soy sauce, mirin, egg, sesame, are mixed. Put raw sea bream with sauce on the rice.

Next visit is Uwajima history museum, and Cannon battery site.
From Uwajima station, go to north west 25minutes walk.
Uwajima history museum is a modern western house.
It was high technical architecture.
Cannon battery site is also fine structure.


I ride JR train, go to Oz Castle.
From 20minutes walking, you arrive at Oz Castle gate.
Climb gradual slope, reach Tenshukaku.

This castle structure is Tenshukaku and 2 Yaguras.
This castle was established at 1331 by Mr.Utsunomiya clan.
It was broken at Meiji period.
It is restructured at 2004.
This castle is new, medium size, 4 floors Castle.

I buy combined ticket that are Oz castle ticket and Garyu mountain villa.
Garyu mountain villa is 1.5km distances from Tenshukaku.
This villa was made by Mr.Kawauchi, he is a Wealthy merchant, at 1907.
Main house is Garyuin, Tea house is Chishian, Away house is Huroan.
Main house is a Sukiyaki house.
Chishian is closed.
Away house is over the cliff.
Garden has many moss and keep clean the Gardena.

Oz castle town has many old houses.


Next visit is Imabari.
I buy Sake 'Yamatan'.
Yamatan is a sake in pursuit of drinkability and exhilaration, It tastes light and sharp.

Next morning I go to Imabari castle.
From Imabari station, go to east about 20 minutes walk.
Imabari castle is a sea castle, and has a big sea moat.
This castle was established at 1608 by Mr.Takatora Todo.
Current Tenshukaku is made by Reinforced concrete.

Top floor of Tenshukaku, you can see Imabari sea and Shimanami Sea road.
Tenshukaku display lots of Samurai goods, Katana, Yoroi, Kabuto.
Near Tenshukaku, Mr.Todo statue is existing, don't forget to take a picture.

Next I go to bus stop, I ride Highway Bus and go to Shimanami Sea road.

Shimanami Sea road connects Imabari to Onomichi 59.4km about 1.5 hours throgh lots of islands.
This road has a bicycle and pedestrian road.
It is popular to go this road by bicycle.
I can see a beautiful view of Setonaikai sea and white bridge, many islands.


That is a Ehime Pref. Trip 2nd information.

That's it.

Ehime Pref. Trip No.1

Ehime Pref. Trip No.1
I would like to inform Ehime Pref. Trip.

First information is Spa Dogo, Matsuyama Castle.

Through Seto bridge, from Sakaide to Matsuyama.
I arrive at Matsuyama at night.
I stay at near Matsuyama Castle.

Next morning, I go to Spa. Dogo by Tram.
Tram is only 150yen.　1 day free ticket is 400yen.
Matsuyama main tram route is Matsuyama JR station - Okaido - Spa Dogo.

I ride a tram and get off at Spa Dogo.
Bocchan train is famous and has recieved lots of photo shoot.

Bocchan train is a steam train at Meiji period.
Mr. Soseki Natsume wite Bocchan train.
Bocchan train has been operated after it is restored as a diesel locomotive by Iyo Matsuyama train from 2001.
For riding a diesel locomotive, you have to make a reserve.
In front of Spa Dogo, Small rotary and Automaton clock are existing.

At time signal, this Automaton clock is opened, some figures come out.
Please see this clock.
About 5 minutes walk, you arrive at Spa Dogo.

Spa Dogo has 4 type Cource.
Please select suitable cource.

I select 2nd grade cource 1200yen.
This Cource available to enter 2 spas, and Bocchan room.
Spa Tamanoyu is small but clean spa.
Spa Kaminoyu is big and famous spa.
Please enter this Spa Kaminoyu.

Next is Yuchiku Castle.
From Spa Dogo, 300mm walking you arrive at Yuchiku Castle.
This castle site has only small hill and observatory.
From observatory, you can see over Dogo area.

Next visit is Shiki Aniversary Museum near Yuchiku Castle.
Shiki Masaoka is Japanese haiku poet who was born in Matsuyama.
This museum shows Matsuyama Dogo history, Shiki period, Shiki World Aimed.
Shiki Masaoka's Stone monument of Birth House is near Matsuyama City station of Iyo train.

I ride Bocchan train, and get off at Okaido station.

I go to Station of ropeway.
This station has ropeway and lift.

Ropeway is 10minutes pitch, I select lift.
About 5minutes riding lift, you arrive at Matsuyama castle park.
After climbing stone steps, you arrive at Tenshukaku.
This castle is a Woden Original Castle.Entance charge is 500yen.
Mr.Yoshiaki Kato establish this castle at 1603.
Matsuyama Castle has two Yaguras, small Tenshukaku, main Tenshukaku.
So, you have to climb steps 4 times.
Final steps is main Tenshukaku.
From Tenshukaku, you can see a wonderful sky view around Matsuyamacastle citywide.

Marsuyama famous sweet is Taruto.
Taruto is a roll cake, that is winding bean paste in cloth by sponge cake.
Taruto has many types, please enjoy this Taruto.

Next information is Uwajima, Imabari, Shimanami Sea Highway.

That's it.