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. Collected with the help of local hunter Kizen Sasaki, Yanagita’s “Tono Monogatari” changed the field of folklore studies in Japan, shifting attention to rural northern traditions. The most famous local yokai from the stories they collected is the kappa. Kappa are frog-like malevolent spirits which drown unsuspecting children. 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 pond. Why not join them yourself?
Tono is home to a wealth of archaeological sites from the Jomon period onwards. 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, L-shaped thatched homes. 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. 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?
For those interested in experiencing Tono’s rich farming traditions, multiple farming experiences are available. If you are interested, please reach out via our contact form. This village grows some of the best vegetables and mushrooms you will ever have, and the charming local farmers are ready and willing to chat about their hard work!
Tono is located approximately 4 hours via bullet train and local train from Tokyo. Once you arrive in Tono, 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.
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.
Rinnoji Temple, which has one of the best gardens in the Tohoku region, offers a private tour and immersion in Japanese culture as you learn about the history of Rinnoji Temple and Zen culture. After a prayer and zazen experience, enjoy a meal of shojinryori.
A private guided tour that lets you experience the scenic, cultural, and historical highlights of Sendai and Matsushima all in just one day.
Sendai is the capital of Miyagi Prefecture. As the largest city in Tohoku, it also serves as the gateway to this off-the-beaten-path region.
There simply isn’t a view quite like this anywhere else in the country. Matsushima is more than simply a beautiful bay filled with stunning rock formations. The mainland town is also home to centuries of Buddhist culture, samurai history, and incredible seafood, making it a day trip from Sendai you won’t want to miss.
Boasting deep history and tradition and surrounded by nature, Sendai is a dynamic and fascinating city. On this tour, hit top sightseeing spots and sites of special interest to anime/manga fans. Try hands-on cultural and creative experiences, and enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant northeastern city.
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.
Kayak through the submerged forests of Yamagata in the dams of Iide high up in mountains during the spring time.
Nagai City, famous for its water, nature and flowers, draws you in with the sights, cuisine and experiences it has to offer.
Japan is abundant with tradition, culture and history, from shrines with 1600 years of history, to traditional childhood pastimes, festivals and cuisine, appreciate the longstanding culture and history that Okitama has to offer.
