Around Ryusendo Cave

①Michi-no-Eki, Iwaizumi
(Ryusendo Youth Travel Village)

The “Iwaizumi Road Station” is located along the National Route 455. Here they not only provide meals and sell souvenirs, but they also sell reasonably-priced fresh local vegetables in the growers’ direct sales section.

Iwaizumi Industrial Development Co., Ltd.
TEL：0194-22-4432

②Michi-no-Eki, Mitakai-Bunko
(Road Station, Mitakai-Bunko)

This road station is located about 7 km from the east exit of the Hayasaka Tunnel. Welcoming you here is the campus of the former branch school. Why not enjoy a meal seated at an old school desk? The class room wall’s timetable and bulletin board will take you right back to the yesteryear of the Showa Era!

Michi-no-Eki Mitakai-Bunko
TEL：0194-25-4311

③Fureai Land Iwaizumi
(Iwaizumi Friendship Land)

"Fureai Land Iwaizumi", which is adjacent to Road Station Iwaizumi along National Highway 455, has various facilities such as an auto campsite, an outdoor stage, and a flower plaza (rock garden).
Accommodation facilities such as mobile homes, cottages, and sleeping cars are also available.

Fureai Land Iwaizumi
TEL：0194-22-5211

④Blue Sleeper Train,
“Nihonkai (Sea of Japan)”

“Nihonkai (Sea of Japan)” a limited-schedule express sleeper train was once operated at a high-speed connecting between Osaka to Aomori. Now that the train is retired, you can appreciate its majestic appearance at Fureai Land, now its terminal.
The three-car train’s interior is carefully preserved just as it was.
Here’s your opportunity to relive the excitement of rail travel in the old days!

Fureai Land Iwaizumi
TEL：0194-22-5211

⑤Mt. Ureira

Spring begins at the foot of the mountain and quickly spreads up to the top of Mt. Ureira, and soon the whole mountain is covered with the glow of shooting buds.
Then, as the season of rich, dark green passes by, there follows the splendor of autumnal colors lending their hue to the whole mountain.
Finally, not so long later, everything is transformed into a world of white!

⑥Hayasaka Kogen
(Hayasaka Plateau) Visitor Center

The first tourist spot to meet at Iwaizumi on National Highway 455 from Morioka is the Hayasaka Plateau at an altitude of 916m.
Designated as a prefectural natural park, it is known as a treasure trove of broad-leaved forests and wildflowers.
There is a walking path through broad-leaved trees, and in the vast grasslands, you can see a large ranch where shorthorn cows eat grass leisurely.The Hayasaka Kogen Visitor Center, which serves as a base for strolling, also has a dining room.

Hayasaka Plateau Visitor Center
TEL：019-681-5458
(Closed every Thursday from May – October. Completely closed in Winter (November – April)

⑦Iwaizumi Museum of History and Folk Heritage

In the Ogawa district of ​​Iwaizumi, there used to be mines where coal and fire clay were excavated.
It is said that in its heyday, when the mine was in full operation between 1933-1996, the district was crowded with more than 1,000 miners.
The Museum of History and Folk Heritage introduces you to this mining town’s history and shows how people lived here at that time.
※ Open only on Saturdays.

Iwaizumi Museum of History and Folk Heritage
TEL：0194-25-5125(Open Saturdays only)

⑧Kuma-no-Hana
(Bear’s Nose)

A peninsula, lush with Japanese red pine trees, is jutting out to the sea to the south of the Omoto Coast.
The name was given because the shape of the peninsula looks like the head and nose of a bear. The Kuma-no-Hana observatory gives you a good view of Bear’s Nose.

⑨Omoto Station,
Sanriku Railway/Kita-Rias
(North-Rias) Line

Sanriku has been damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Thanks to this support, in April 2014, the North Rias Line and South Rias Line were repositioned, and in January 2019, the Rias Line was in operation.

⑩Akkado Cave

This is Japan’s longest and the oldest limestone cave.
You can see the mysterious underground world which is distinctly different from the Ryusendo Cave.
Marveling at the many forms that stalactites take, you may easily forget the passing time!
This is a nationally designated natural monument.

■ Business Hours
10:00 – 17:00
■ Closed
Winter (December to March)
■ Main Menu
Hakkoi (First love) soft ice cream, Koisuru (Love) parfait, Italian curry, etc.

TEL：0194-31‐1000
55-5 Aza-Fugane, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 14:00 , 17:30 - 20:30
■ Closed
Mondays
■ Main Menu
Pasta, Pizza, etc.

TEL：0194-22-3733
50-2 Aza-Sanbonmatsu, Iwaizumi,Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken, 027-0501

■ Business Hours
10:30 – 20:00
■ Closed
Occasionary
■ Main Menu: A la carte noodles, set meal, etc.

TEL：0194-22‐5609
10-1 Aza-Ota, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, wate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
9:00 – 19:00
■ Closed
1 January {for New Years Day}
■ Main Menu
Chinese noodles, stewed udon or soba noodles, etc.

TEL：0194-22‐4117
38 Aza-Shimojuku, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 21:00
■ Closed
Mondays
■ Main Menu
Sushi, etc.

TEL：0194-22‐2217
18-1 Aza-Muraki, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 13:00, 17:00 – 21:00
■ Closed
Occasionary
■ Main Menu
Sushi, seasonal dishes, etc.

TEL：0194-22‐3040
43 Aza-Muraki, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:30 – 14:00,18:00 – 23:00
■ Closed
Mondays
■ Main Menu
Okonomiyaki (meat balls with noodles, or meat balls with rice cake and cheese), etc.

TEL：0194-22‐5680
54 Aza-Muraki, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 22:00
■ Closed
Mondays
■ Main Menu
Yakiniku grilled meat, cold noodles, etc.

TEL：0194-22‐4131
〒027-0501
40-106 Aza-Nakano, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 22:00
■ Closed
Occasionary
■ Main Menu
Yakiniku grilled meat, gukbap (Korean rice soup)

TEL：0194-22‐3252
40-97 Aza-Nakano, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:00 - 16:00
■ Open 7 days a week, all year
■ Main Menu
Soft cream with milk from Iwaizumi, Tankakugyu's beef croquette, etc

TEL：0194-22-4432（main）
90-1 Aza-Otomo, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours
11:00 - 16:00
■ Open 7 days a week, all year
■ Main Menu
Donguri ramen(Noodle with acorn), tankakugyu beef steak, etc.

TEL：0194-22-4432（main）
90-1 Aza-Otomo, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

■ Business Hours 8:30 – 21:00 ■ Open 7 days a week, all year ■ Main Menu A set meal of offal/gut hot pot, soy sauce-flavored ramen, etc.

TEL：0194-39‐1334
6-1 Aza-Machimukai, Kado,Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 028-5641

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 16:00
■ Open 7 days a week, all year
■ Main Menu
Bunko ramen, a school lunch-style set meal, etc.

TEL：0194-25‐4311（main）
47-2 Aza- Mitakai, Kado,Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 028-5641

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 16:00
■ Closed
Thursdays and winter season (mid-November to late April)
■ Main Menu
Teppen noodles, Tanmen (Chinese noodles with plenty stir-fried vegetables), etc.

TEL：019-681‐5259
45-5 Aza-Gongen, Kamatsuda Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 028-5633

■ Business Hours
10:00 – 16:00
■ Closed
Occasionally closed in regular season. Closed in winter (November mid-late April)
■ Main Menu
Udon noodles, soba noodles, etc.

TEL：0194-29‐2427
28 Aza-Osakaya National Forest, Kamatsuda, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 028-2233

■ Business Hours
11:00 – 20:00
■ Open 7 days a week, all year
■ Main Menu
Kamoshika ramen, Hama-iso ramen, etc.

TEL：0194-28‐2131
159-1 Aza-Takakune, Nakajima, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-00422

①Ryusendo Onsen Hotel

Reserved for your private use, our charcoal bath was built using 480 kg of Bincho charcoal to generate infra-red rays to give you a bone-deep warmth all over your body. Based on selected seasonal ingredients, our special dishes are a special treat, too.

TEL：0194-22-4141
48 Aza-Fugane, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

②Nakaya Inn

Always popular are such seasonal dishes as matsutake mushroom and seafood arranged in a ship-shaped container. You can even join a harvest tour to see where the wild vegetables and mushrooms grow.
The Ureira bath (charcoal bath) and private bath (surcharge) are also in demand.

TEL：0194-22-4111
1-2 Aza-Matsuhashi, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

③Houraiya Inn

Visitors can feast on seasonal dishes incorporating delicious ingredients freshly gathered from the nearby mountains and the sea.
Served to suit a wide range of guests, from tourists to businessmen.

TEL：0194-22-2411
18-4 Aza-Muraki Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

④Ryusendo Travel Village

Ryusendo (Youth) Travel Village is located just a short 10 min walk away towards Ryusendo Cave.
While enjoying the natural surroundings, you can actively enjoy a day of outdoor activities and recreation.
Wouldn’t you and your family love to wind down with leisurely forest air-bathing?

Ryusendo Office
TEL：0194-22-2566
(Business hours:May-October)
12 Aza-Kannari, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

⑤Fureai Land Iwaizumi
(Iwaizumi Friendship Land)

Located adjacent to the Iwaizumi Road Station along the National Route 455, the “Fureai (Friendship) Land Iwaizumi” offers a variety of facilities, such as an auto camping site, a course for “park-golf” (Japanese mini-golf), rental cottages, a 400 m running track, a natural turf soccer field, an outdoor stage and a rock flower garden. Also, a variety of accommodation facilities includes trailer houses, cottages, and a retired sleeper train.

Fureai Land Iwaizumi
TEL：0194-22-5211

⑥Blue Train
“Nihonkai (Sea of Japan)”

“Nihonkai (Sea of Japan)” a limited-schedule express sleeper train was once operated at a high-speed connecting between Osaka to Aomori. Now that the train is retired, you can appreciate its majestic appearance at Fureai Land, now its terminal.
The three-car train’s interior is carefully preserved just as it was.
Here’s your opportunity to relive the excitement of rail travel in the old days!

Fureai Land Iwaizumi
TEL：0194-22-5211

⑦Inn Iwaizumi

Don’t forget to sample the seasonal dishes using such local produce as wild vegetables and mushrooms.
All guests are welcome – and there is ample parking, even for large cars.

TEL：0194-22-3330
40-7 Nakano, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

⑧Nitta Inn

Much of the Minshuku's popularity is based on its big variety of hearty dishes enjoyed by many regular guests, including businessmen and construction officials.
Seasonal dishes, river fish, wild vegetable dishes, etc. are part of the fare.

TEL：0194-22-4061
51-5 Aza-Sanbonmatsu,Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0501

⑨Setoya Inn

In olden days this long-established inn was originally a stopping place for cattle and horse dealers. Today's landlady is a culinary artist specializing in the regional cuisine and the fame of her dishes extends far and wide (Reservation required for regional dishes).

TEL：0194-25-5126
102 Aza-Machi, Kado, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-5641

⑩Minshuku
(Guest House)
Nagasakiya

Since It is ideally located for mountain stream fishing, the guests often include anglers. The guests can fully relish the beauty of a setting surrounded by nature. Along with a warm welcome, this guest house offers you delicious seasonal food.

TEL：0194-26-2005
114-2 Aza-Shimojo, Okawa, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 028-2232

⑪Tsutaya Inn

Many anglers regularly choose this inn. Welcoming guests since it was built half a century ago, this inn has a very comfortable atmosphere. Quiet and warm, this inn is where you can delight in the region's seasonal dishes.

TEL：0194-29-2100
46-1 Aza-Sawaguch, Kamatsuta, waizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 028-2233

⑫Kamura Inn

The fresh-water fish from Akka River are excellent eating, and, when in season, the local mushrooms and hand-made grilled tofu are not to be missed either! Using local ingredients harvested in the Akka district, this inn showcases the regional quisine at its best.

TEL：0194-24-2331
118 Aza-Matsubayashi, Akka, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0611

⑬Sugawatari Koryu Shisetsu
(Sugawatari Camping Facility)

Along the Akkagawa River, this facility includes a seminar/traning hall and a group of five cabins.
In the peak season, many anglers and summer camp youngsters visit from other prefectures.

Department of Economic and Tourism Exchange, Iwaizumi Town Office
TEL：0194-22-2111
(Business hours:May-October)
237-1 Aza-Sugawatari, Akka, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate-ken 027-0611

①Hakkoi-sui(first love water)
and
Hyakkukoi-sui(hundred love water)

In the shopping district of Iwaizumi, which is proud famous water, there runs a charming waterway. One section of this has been set aside as a water spot, described in a pun in which “Hakkoi-mizu or Hyakkoi-mizu” (meaning “cold water”), has been modified to “Hakkoi-mizu (first love water) and Hyakkoi-mizu (100 love water)”. This spot is a favourite meeting place – and here Iwaizumi townsfolk have organized a party (“Machi-con”), referred to as “Ryu-con”, specifically so that romantically-inclined young men and women can meet up.

②Shizugawa River behind the Shopping Street

The ambience in the Shizugawa River area, just behind the shopping street, is something you certainly will not want to miss.
Especially, when dusk takes over and the lights along the riverbank turn on a twinkling fairyland scene!

③Fomer iwaizumi Station

This building was the former JR East iwaizumi Line’s terminal station.
With the Iwaizumi Line’s closure, this no longer serves as a railway station, today you can still sense what an important role it used to play.
On top of this, you will encounter quite a few other diverting sights along the old Iwaizumi Line.

④Tando

The white rock surface of the exposed limestone cliff at first glance looks like a wall of ice. Its height is up to 150m.
The dull shine reflecting the moonlight at night is magical.
The view from Soirigawa River Bridge is superb at the time of fresh green and autumn colors.

⑤Aka-ana (Red Cave)

When looking at the left from the Megami (goddess) Bridge, which is at about 4km from Ryusendo Cave towards Omoto direction, Ketsuyama mountain is towering with the exposed limestone cliff.
Near the top, there are two large openings of a cave, called Aka-ana (Red cave).
The depth is 100m, and inside of the cave there still remains a graffiti by the Tokugawa Shogunate official.

⑥Old Coal Mine Site
(Horumon Cuisine)

In the Ogawa district, there is a site of the former Ogawa Coal Mine, which holds the remnants of different cultures. The place where more than 1,000 workers lived in its heyday has now become just a field.
From this historical background, “coal mine horumon (offal) cuisine” unique to Iwaizumi was born. It was the collaboration of the food culture of the workers from the Korean Peninsula at the time with the menu of popular restaurants in the district.
Horumon dishes are still avaialble, so please try tasting them which are seasoned differently at each restaurant.

⑦Maple Tree of Ogawa Elementary School

Here is the “maple” tree that stands in front of the Iwaizumi Municipal Ogawa Elementary School.
The leaves take on their autumnal livery from October, and each year are most spectacular around the middle of that month.
One of the town’s most distinctive features, the tree’s autumnal spread delights everyone passing by on their way along National Route 455.

⑧Nambu Ushioi-uta
(Nambu cowboy song)
Birthplace Monument

Here, at the entrance to the Hayasaka Plateau, a monument marks the birth of the “Nambu Ushioi-uta” (Nambu cowboy song).
In the past, the National Route 455 was referred to as Omoto Highway, which was a “salt road”.
The song recalls the times when local folk endured their harsh peddling trips by humming this cowboy song.
Beside this, on the the last Saturday and Sunday of September, you can enjoy the national singing contest – the ever-popular Nambu Ushioi Uta.

⑨Akkagawa River

Akkagawa River, which flows through the northern part of Iwaizumi, has a dam-free basin, and is known as the Mecca for mountain stream fishing for such types as char, ayu (sweetfish), etc.
With each passing season, the beautiful landscape surrounding the river support people living in Akka district/area.

⑩Hittori Shitsugen (Hittori Wetland)

Formed where the valley bottoms out at an altitude of 1000m, this wetland blends in perfectly with a broad-leaved, deciduous forest. Blooms of white Asian skunk-cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis) in early May and rhododendron in mid-July add their beautiful colors to the scene.
This wetland] was also chosen as one of “Japan’s 100 Selected Nature and Landscapes to be preserved for the 21st Century”.

⑪Okawa Nanataki(Seven waterfalls of Okawa)

The Omotogawa River basin’s major drawcard is the seven tiered waterfalls in different sizes, with these spectacular cascades all contained within a 100 m stretch of the river.
Every August the Okawa Nanataki summer festival draws in bustling crowds of locals and vistors to share the lively entertainment.

⑫Moshiryu Dinosaur Fossil Discovery Site

In the summer of 1978, Japan’s first dinosaur fossil was discovered in this locality.
The excavation of the fossil (resembling the humerus of Mamenchisaurus) generated great excitement within the Geological Society of Japan.
The dinosaur was named “Moshiryu”, after the area of discovery, “Moshi” – and “ryu”, meaning dragon or dinosaur.

⑬Moshi Coast(Hakogamai)

The landscape around here features stratified rock tilting to the east, looking as though it is jutting into the sea. The strata are of the Miyako group, which was deposited in the Cretaceous period of Mesozoic era.
The local coastal highlights include Matsushima (referred to as “The Island of the Fossil”), and Hakogamai, which features a “wave-cut-bench” that resembles a washboard.

①Jodogahama BeachMIYAKO

These sharp, pointed white rhyolites form a forest of rocks, and while each has its own uniquel look, together they create a picturesque coastal scene.
The contrast between the green pine trees and the white rocks against the ​​ultramarine-blue sea is truly well-worth seeing.
It is said that the place name of Jodogahama Beach was given by Ryuko Reikyo, the 7th priest of the Miyako-san Joanji Temple, because he admired it so much, saying, “it is just like Gokuraku Jodo (paradise)”. In the area nearby are the Jodogahama Rest House (fully equipped with an observation deck, sales stands, and dining room) and the Jodogahama Visitor Center, where one can learn about the natural environment and landscape, and take a nature experience class. Also available is the Jodogahama Pleasure Boat for touring the nearby waters, and also the Jodogahama Marine House where you can be guided to the Blue Cave.

②Gyosai Ichiba
(Fish and Vegetables Market)MIYAKO

The market has a generous spread of fresh seafood caught off the shores of Sanriku coast, processed seafood, and vegetables grown by local farmers.
Numerous shops trade side-by-side and here in the central square farmers’ wives proudly display their vegetables. The market is described as the Miyako folks’ kitchen and is a place for warmhearted locals to interact with one another. Here they arrange the custom packaging and dispatching of souvenirs.

③Sanriku Yamada Oyster HutYAMADA

This was the first oyster hut restaurant in Iwate Prefecture and was opened in 2009.
Although damaged in the earthquake disaster, it reopened at a different location as a “Reconstructed Oyster Hut”.
The oysers survived the tsunami and are healthy – and delicious!
Within the season (from the end of October to about the beginning of May, every year), you can enjoy an “All-you-can-eat” menu within a time limit of 40 min (which includes the steaming time of 10 minutes). In the off-season, we provide other seafood from the Sanriku Coast and Yamada area.
Please do not miss the chance to savour Yamada’s extremely plump oysters!

Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays (except public holidays). New Year period (30 Dec – 5 Jan).

④Kitayamazaki (North Yamazaki)TANOHATA

With its soaring, 200 m cliffs extending for some 8 km, “Kitayamazaki” is justly famous for its coastal scenery. At the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation’s evaluation of tourism resources, in the coastal section only Kitayamazaki earned the prestigious “special A-class” certification – the highest rating. Heres is the proof that Kitayamazaki really does have the most beautiful coastal beauty in all Japan!
Many tourists say it was their once-in-a-lifetime dream to visit this famous scenic spot.
Sappa Boat Adventures are also very popular. This is a captivating cruise on a small “Sappa boat (about 1-ton size)” from the fishing port of Raga to view scenic Kitayamazaki from the sea.

⑤Kosode Coast (Kosode Ama Center)KUJI

The Kosode coastline consists of impressive cliffs and copper-colored rocky reefs.
In Kosode, “Katsugi”, a generations-old fishing technique involves free-diving women, known as “Ama”, catching sea urchins along the rocky shore.
You can see a free-diving demonstration by these “Northernmost Ama”, who became popular when featured in the TV serial, “Ama-chan”.

Free diving demonstration: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from July to September, every year.

⑥Kuji Amber MuseumKUJI

Kuji region has been long renowned as Japan’s largest amber producing area.
The Kuji Amber Museum is located in a Kuji suburb where amber mining was carried out since ancient times, and is the only museum solely dedicated to amber in Japan.
After visiting the museum, you can then continue the tour at a leisurely pace, including stops at the amber product shop, the amber work studio, the old excavation tunnel site and visit the Lithuania House restaurant-café, followed by a stroll in the garden hilll.

⑦New Yamane Onsen Beppin Hot SpringKUJI

This is a hot spring in Yamane Town, a quiet mountain suburb of Kuji City.
The spring water type is the mixture of alkaline, simple and sulphur. It is a cold mineral spring which is heated for bathing. The pH value is at 10.5, the highest in the prefecture.
The content of the radon is also high, and is characterized by leaving the skin with a “soft and smooth” feeling.
It is said to be effective for a wide range of conditions, such as neuralgia, diabetes, skin diseases, and so is well-patronized by bath visitors.

⑧Kuzumaki Wild Grape WineKUZUMAKI

Wild grape vines only have small fruit, compact bunches, and give smaller yield at harvest. They are also rare, but since ancient times the wine from them has been known to be effective as a nourishing tonic, especially for restoring the blood, and relieving fatigue.
The winery produces not only the legendary wild grape wine, using wild grapes abundantly, but also many other kinds of wines, and has won numerous awards.
Visitors can take a factory tour of the wine factory, and buy the products at Mori-no-Kodama-kan (Forest Echo House) and Mori-no-Yakata Woody (Forest Museum “Woody”), both handily located at the same site.
As well, you can taste every type of wine at the Forest Museum, ‘Woody’,