Konan City, located in the southern part of Shiga Prefecture, boasts only 54, 607 inhabitants. For its size, however, it is unmatched in history, culture, and natural beauty. Konan’s rich heritage and scenic landscapes offer a tranquil escape from the main tourist routes.
Nestled in a mountain valley in the central part of Iwate, one of Japan’s most northern prefectures, lies the quiet hamlet of Tono. Known as the ‘City of Folklore,’ this peaceful rural enclave is home to some of Japan’s most famous legends, well-preserved traditions and architecture, Buddhist wonders, and delicious cuisine and craft beer.
In 1910 pioneering Japanese folkorist Yanagita Kunia published a collection of folk legends, stories, and traditions called the ‘Tono Monogatari.’ Collected with the help of local hunter Kizen Sasaki, these tales would go on to become etched into the minds of the whole country. The most famous local yokai from these stories is the Kappa, a frog-like malevolent spirit which is said to inhabit a local watering hole. Legend has it that the kappa can be defeated through the use of cucumbers and good manners, so you may happen upon some enterprising hunters fishing for kappa with cucumbers if you take a stroll to Kappabuchi.
Tono is home to a wealth of archaeological sites from the Jomon period onwards, and farmers today routinely turn up pottery shards and arrowheads from earlier Emishi and later samurai inhabitants. Today the city is home to three well-preserved folk villages from the Edo period. The largest of these, the Tono Furusato Village, contains a number of traditional Namba Magariya, an L-shaped thatched home endemic to this region of Japan. The folk villages here offer a number of hands-on experiences, from farming and fishing to weaving and storytelling. You can also see the remains of Nabekura castle in downtown Tonno, which was built to protect against the Date clan of Sendai
Despite its distance from the seat of Buddhism in Japan, Tono is home to two of the most incredible Buddhist artworks in the country. At seventeen meters high, Fukusenji temples wooden Kannon statue is the largest in the country, and is well worth a visit. A short hike in the southern mountains leads to another stunning sight: 380 granite carved kakan, or buddhist disciplines, lining the edges of a creek bed. These are said to be the remains of 500 such carvings made by a local monk to pay respects for the victims of a famine.
A visitor to Tono is guaranteed to eat well. Tono is known for its Genghis Khan, a lamb barbeque dish cooked on a helmet shaped pan right at the table, and for wheat dumplings called hittsumi. The town also produces some of the best wasabi in Japan, a fact that a local brewery has fully embraced. Why not give the local wasabi beer a try when you are in town? It packs a delicious kick and is the perfect drink to pair with genghis khan after enjoying a snowy day wandering the museums and folk villages of Tono.
For those interested in experiencing Konan’s rich farming traditions, multiple farming experiences are available. If you are interested, please reach out via our contact form!
Tono is located approximately 4 hours via bullet train and local train from Tokyo. Once you arrive in Tonno, the sights are spread out somewhat, so it is a good idea to have a rental car or a bus pass if you want to visit the further-flung sightseeing spots.
The Hidden Japan is currently working with Tono and other small towns in Iwate Prefecture to develop tours here and would be happy to assist with your visit to this town. While there are no commercial links for tours or experiences with instant bookings, visitors who take the time to plan a trip here will be rewarded by Tono’s deep cultural ambience and old-world charm.
A 5-day, 4-night tour to experience the best of cuisine and craftsmanship in the Uetsu area of Japan. Observe and experience techniques for making outstanding kitchenware of the master craftsmen of Tsubame-Sanjo and enjoy cooking and dining experiences with chefs of Tsuruoka City, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
A four-day, three-night tour to experience the highlights of the Uetsu region of Japan, with a special focus on nature and its connections with the local spiritual and culinary cultures.
From Niigata to Yamagata, experience the charm and beauty of traditions of craftsmanship in the Uetsu region of Japan. Experience Japan’s “monozukuri” tradition for yourself while learning about the history and charm of creation in each area.
Experience what it felt like to be a retainer of the castle town of the Sendai Date clan. You will have the opportunity to try out drawing a real sword, which is something you don’t usually get to do, and try out tea at the Zangetsu-tei teahouse, where you will experience the mindset of a samurai.
Nakajimadai is a beautiful beech forest and wetland area featuring easy nature trails. It is located at the base of Mount Chokai in Akita.
Rising over 1,800 meters along the border between Yamagata and Miyagi, Mount Zao is a popular ski, hiking, and hot springs destination.
In this special experience, make a night visit the mausoleum of Date Masamune, the samurai who built the foundation of Sendai. After a special viewing of the main hall, enjoy a performance of Japanese musical instruments in a solemn atmosphere, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience at this remarkable place.
At the base of Mount Zao just south of Yamagata City, lies Kaminoyama Onsen, a hot springs town with many relaxing and luxurious hot spring inns.
Sendai is a dynamic and historically significant city bursting with culture, history, nature, and tradition. On this tour, hit Sendai’s top sightseeing destinations, experience hands-on cultural, culinary and crafting experiences, and get to know the tradition and culture of this fascinating city.
Learn Japan’s beloved traditional game of kendama alongside the locals of Nagai City.
Around the end of May, rice fields of the Okitama region are filled with water. This hike aims to see the sunrise colors the surface of the rice fields and scattered villages below and travel to the summit of Mt. Kumano.
Experience being a miko, a shrine maiden, for a day at a largely revered shrine. Wear traditional miko clothing, learn about shintoism, create your own lucky amulet and participate in a formal
ceremony, then enjoy a local lunch.
