EVENT
Suggested Route｜Iwaizumi Town- weave a visit to “Omoto”, the “Nanazumai dance village” 2Days and 1Night Nov.12th(Sat)-13th(Sun),2022
- 2022
- suggested-route
- Appreciation
Route：From Tokyo to Morioka to Iwaizumi
Iwaizumi is surrounded by 1,000 meter peaks on three sides and the sea on the remaining side. It is a special place because it is the largest town in Honshu, Japan with a huge amount of various resources such as matsutake mushrooms and wasabi.
As for local performing arts, various forms have been passed down in various districts, such as the “deer dance”, “Nenbutsu sword dance”, “nanatsumai”, and “sansa dance”. Omoto, for instance, is the only coastal district of Iwaizumi Town. It is commonly known as “Nanazumai no Sato” (literally the Nanazumai dance village) that performing arts like “Nanazumai” and “Nanatsumai” are passed down from generation to generation in four of its districts.
The model course this time includes a visit to the Ryusendo Cave through the Michinoku Coastal Trail, the “Omoto Salmon Festival” with the performance of Oushiuchi Nanatsumai and Nakano Nanatsumai dance in the Omoto area. Let’s take a closer look at this course directing us to a dinosaur fossil called “Moshiryu”.
Are you ready to be amazed by the local performing arts of Iwaizumi and the ancient romance 100 million years ago?
19th Nanazumai no Sato Omoto Salmon Festival
Indulge in the local performing arts of Iwaizumi
The “Nanazumai no Sato Omoto Salmon Festival” will be held on November 13th, at the special venue of “Hama no Eki Omoto Aidokan” in Omoto, Iwaizumi. Omoto is the only coastal district of Iwaizumi also known as the “Nanazumai dance Village” where the local performing arts such as “Nanazumai” and “Nanatsumai” have been passed down from one generation to another in four different districts. The salmon festival this year welcomes dance programs of Oushiuchi Nanatsumai and Nakano Nanatsumai. Besides the regular salmon catching event, distribution of free salmon soup (limited to 300 servings), sales of agricultural and fishery products, as well as “mochimaki” (rice cake throwing) with prizes will also be organized. Fireworks marks the finale of the event on the same day.
Date: Saturday, Normenbaer 13, 2022, 10:00-14:00
Venue:The special venue of “Hama no Eki Omoto Aidokan” in Omoto
No cancellations for rain
※Fireworks display 17:00-
Major programs
| １０：００～１０：１５ Greeting from organization & speeches from guests | |
| １０：１５～１０：４５ Ryuchan Taiko Drum (performance) | |
| １０：４５～１１：１５ Oushinai Nanatsumai Preservation Club (dance program) | |
| １１：１５～１１：４５ Salmon catching | |
| １１：４５～ Distribution of free salmon soup (300 servings only, quantity limited) Scoop Shamisen (performance) | |
| １２：００～１３：００ Scoop Shamisen (performance) | |
| １３：００～１３：３０ Nakano Nanazumai Preservation Club (dance program) | |
| １３：３０～１４：００ Mochimaki (rice cake throwing) |
19th The “Nanazumai no Sato Omoto Salmon Festival”
Information about local performing art organizations
Omoto Regional Promotion Council (office inside the Omoto Town Hall)
239-1, Omoto Minaminakano, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate, Japan
Phone｜+81(0)194-28-2111
Operating hours｜ 8:30am〜5:15pm
Closure｜ Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and New Year period
Nature of Iwaizumi
Notes
- We present this route as an ideal way to enjoy Sanriku. Please note that we are not soliciting participants for a tour.
Accommodations and Transportations
- We designed this trip so that you can mostly rely on public transportation. Depending on the situation, you may consider using taxis or car rentals.
- Because of Covid-19 concerns, public transportation schedules and business hours of venues and facilities, including retail shops, might vary. Please confirm with them in advance.
Covid-19 Infection Prevention Measures
- To prevent further coronavirus infections, please follow protocols and prevention measures at each event, facility and retail store.
Iwaizumi Town- weave a visit to “Omoto”, the “Nanazumai dance village” 2Days and 1Night
Nov.12th(Sat)-13th(Sun),2022
Route：From Tokyo to Morioka to Iwaizumi
| Day 1- Nov.12th(Sat),2022 |
Experience the magnificent nature of Iwaizumi
| Itinerary | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|
| | Bus tour from Morioka Sta. | |
| 06:32 | Departure from Tokyo Sta., arrival at Morioka Sta.（08:44) | Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 1 |
| 09:10 | Departure from Morioka Sta. (East Exit), arrival at Ryusendo Cave（11:24) | Taking bus at Bus Stop No. 1 at the East Exit of Morioka Sta. JR Bus Tohoku Morioka-from “Iwaizumi” to “Ryusendo Cave” (Hayasaka Kogen Route) |
| | Rent a car at Morioka Sta. | |
| 07:32 or 9:08 | Departure from Tokyo Sta., arrival at Morioka Sta.（09:44or11:20) | Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 5 or No. 11 |
| | Rental car from Morioka Sta. | To Ryusendo Cave, approx. 2 hours |
| 11:30 | Journeying Ryusendo Cave | |
| 12:37 | Departure from Ryusendo Cave, arrival at Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| 12:50 | Lunch at Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area | |
| 14:47 | Departure from Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area, Arrival at Omoto Sta. | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| recommendation | ||
| Highlight 1 | KumanohanaObservatory,→ Moshi coast→tiny museum Omoto Sta.(Sanriku Railway) | |
| 15：10 | Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway) | Approx. 10-min by taxi |
| | Kumanohana Observatory | |
| Via Moshi coast, | Approx. 60-min walk | |
| | Visiting the tiny museum (in Omoto station complex) | Replica of Moshiryu dinosaur fossil & information panels about the Iwaizumi geosites |
| 17:19 | Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway)ーarrival at Iwaizumi junior high schoo(17:39) Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway) ー arrival at Iwaizumi hospital (17:44) | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| | Accommodation | |
| Highlight 2 | Workshop- journeying via the Michinoku Coastal Trail (4hr / 6hr routes) |
| Day 2 Nov.13th(Sun),2022 |
Encounter the Nanazumai dance
| Itinerary | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|
| 07：52 | Departure from Iwaizumi junior high school, arrival at Omoto Sta. (Sanriku railway) (08:17) | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| 08：30 | Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku railway), arrival at “Hama no Eki Omoto Aidokan”(08:50) | Approx. 20-min walk |
| 10：00 | Appreciation- 19th Nanazumai no Sato Omoto Salmon Festival | 10:00-14:00 |
| 14：10 | Departure from “Hama no Eki Omoto Aidokan”, arrival at Omoto Sta.(14:30) | Approx. 20-min walk |
| 14：38 | Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku railway), arrival at Ryusendo Cave（15:04) | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| Rent a car at Morioka station | ||
| 14：10 | Departure from “Hama no Eki Omoto Aidokan”, arrival at Morioka Sta.（16:10) | Approx. 2 hours to the nearby areas of Morioka Sta. |
| Return the rental car | ||
| 17：16 or 17：50 | Departure from Morioka Sta., arrival at Tokyo Sta., Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 36 or No. 3820：04） | |
| Take bus to Morioka Sta. | ||
| 14：10 | Departure from “Hama no Eki Omoto Aidokan”, arrival at Omoto Sta.(14:30) | Approx. 20-min walk |
| 14：38 | Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku railway), arrival at Ryusendo Cave | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| 16:00 | Departure from Ryusendo Cave, arrival at Morioka Sta. (East exit)（18:13) | JR bus Tohoku, Morioka, Iwaizumi, Ryusendo (Hayasaka Kogen Route) |
| 18：50 or 19：14 | Departure from Morioka Sta., arrival at Tokyo Sta.（21：04or21：23） | Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 42 or No. 44 |
Day 1-
Nov.12th(Sat),2022
Experience the magnificent nature of Iwaizumi
| Itinerary | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|
| | Bus tour from Morioka Sta. | |
| 06:32 | Departure from Tokyo Sta., arrival at Morioka Sta.（08:44) | Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 1 |
| 09:10 | Departure from Morioka Sta. (East Exit), arrival at Ryusendo Cave（11:24) | Taking bus at Bus Stop No. 1 at the East Exit of Morioka Station JR Bus Tohoku Morioka-from “Iwaizumi” to “Ryusendo Cave” (Hayasaka Kogen Route) |
| | Rent a car at Morioka Station | |
| 07:32 or 9:08 | Departure from Tokyo Sta., arrival at Morioka Sta.（09:44 or 11:20) | Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 5 or No. 11 |
| | Rental car from Morioka Sta. to Ryusendo Cave | Approx. 2 hours |
| 11:30 | Journeying Ryusendo Cave | |
| 12:37 | Departure from Ryusendo Cave, arrival at Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| 12:50 | Lunch at Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area | |
| 14:47 | Departure from Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area, Arrival at Omoto Sta. | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| recommendation | ||
| Highlight 1 | KumanohanaObservatory,→ Moshi coast→tiny museumOmoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway) | Approx. 60-min walk |
| 15：10 | Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway) | |
| | Kumanohana Observatory | Approx. 10-min by taxi |
| Via Moshi coast, | ||
| | Visiting the tiny museum (in Omoto Sta. complex) | Replica of Moshiryu dinosaur fossil & information panels about the Iwaizumi geosites |
| 17:19 | Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway)ーarrival at Iwaizumi junior high schoo(17:39) Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway) ー arrival at Iwaizumi hospital (17:44) | Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route |
| | Accommodation | |
| Highlight 2 | Workshop- journeying via the Michinoku Coastal Trail (4hr / 6hr routes) |
Tokyo Station
Bus tour from Morioka Sta.
Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 1
Dep.06：32
Arr. 08：44
Rent a car at Morioka Sta.
Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 5
Dep.07：32
Arr. 09：44
or
Tohoku Shinkansen Express Hayabusa No. 11
Dep.09：08
Arr. 11：20
Morioka Sta.
JR Bus Tohoku Morioka-from “Iwaizumi” to “Ryusendo Cave” (Hayasaka Kogen Route)
Taking bus at Bus Stop No. 1 at the East Exit of Morioka Sta.
Dep.09:10
Arr. 11:24
Rent a car at Morioka Sta.
To Ryusendo Cave, approx. 2 hours
Ryusendo Cave
11：30 Journeying Ryusendo Cave
One of Japan’s three major limestone caves/ a national natural monument in Japan
▲A mysterious limestone cave with cobalt bluish colors
▲ Take in the exquisite lake views with the azure colors and tasteful mood of the cave
The spectacular dragon blue underground lakes and the mysterious limestone cave
Ryusendo Cave is one of Japan’s three major limestone caves. The cave itself along with the bats living inside has been designated as a national natural monument. The cave is a special place that Japan should be proud of as it has the most transparent underground lakes in world, which is called the “Dragon Blue” that the captivating deepness and bluish colors are like taking you in. The lakes are, in fact, formed by fresh spring water from the very underground- the 3rd lake is 98m deep, the 4th one, which remains not open to public, is as deep as 120m (the deepest in Japan).
The cave is also known as a spot with spiritual power. Overwhelmed by the beauty of artworks of nature, visitors are like in a fancy world of this extraordinary limestone cave. Besides, there is a Ryusen Shindo Science Museum located right next to the cave. It is the first natural cave science museum in world with a huge number of pottery/stone tools, valuable objects, and specimens from a wide range of academic fields such as speleology, geology, and biology.いる。
Ryusendo Cave Office
1-1, Iwaizumi Kannari, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate, Japan 027－0501
Phone｜+81(0)194-22-2566
FAX｜+81(0)194-22-5005
Opening 365 days a year (submit to temporary closures when the cave is closed for water rising)
Opening hours｜8:30am~ 5pm (Last entry to the cave).
Ryusendo Cave
Timetable:Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route(Japanese)
Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route
Departure from Ryusendo Cave, arrival at Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area
Dep.12:37
Arr. 12:47
Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area
13：00 Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area
Huddle! Iwaizumi gourmet- Iwaizumi Yogurt
▲ Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area
▲ Iwaizumi Yogurt
▲Savory Instagrammable gelato
A roadside station with delicious foods- Sanriku quality ingredients, local production for local consumption, and savory Instagrammable gelato!
Roadside station Iwaizumi is full of local produce for local consumption. It’s a direct market with a huge number of specialties. The restaurant offers a wide variety of cuisine, including the most popular Iwaizumi hamburger set, the Tankaku beef sirloin steak set, and Ryusendo black pork miso ramen. Also be amazed by the selections of local products in the stores, such as Iwaizumi Yogurt, Iwaizumi innards, and Ryusendo Lotion. Don’t forget to try “Vito x IWAIZUMI”, the first Italian gelato cafe in the Tohoku region. Take your pick from 18 gelato choices, all come with a bright, colorful vision.
Iwaizumi Holdings Co., Ltd.
90-1, Omoto, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate, Japan 027-0502
Phone｜ +81(0)194-32-3070
Opening hours｜summer time 8:30am～6:00pm／ winter time 9:00am～5:00pm
Closure｜opening 365 days a year
http://www.ryusendo-water.co.jp/sp/
michinoeki/iwaizumi.html(Japanese)
Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area
Timetable:Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route(Japanese)
Departure from Iwaizumi Roadside Rest Area, Arrival at Omoto Station
Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route
Dep. 14:47
Arr. 15:05
Omoto Sta.(Sanriku Railway)
Highlight 1
Here are two model courses to embrace the great nature of Iwaizumi.
Model course 1- departing from Omoto Station (Sanriku Railway) and take in the breathtaking views of rais coast at Kumanohana Observatory, Sanriku Fukko National Park. The course takes approx. 2 hours to tour the Moshi Coast, a “geosite” of the Sanriku Geopark, then you will return to Omoto Station and visit the tiny museum in the station complex.
Alternatively, you can recharge yourself by the half-day course (4 hours) or the full-day course (6 hours) on the Michinoku Coastal Trail to experience the nature of Iwaizumi with all your senses in the way that fit in your schedule.
Kumanohana
Observatory→
Moshi coast→
Tiny museum/
Omoto Sta.
(Sanriku Railway)
15：10 Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway)
Approx. 10 minutes by taxi
Kumanohana Observatory
Certified as Sanriku Reconstruction National Park
▲A cape resembling a bear’s nose
▲ Kumanohana Observatory
Indulge in the sceneries of the rias coast at Kumanohana Observatory
“Kumanohana” is a peninsula protruding south of the Omoto coast all covered with red pine trees. The observatory, named for the cape shape resembling a bear’s nose (“Kumanohana” in Japanese), is certified as Sanriku Reconstruction National Park. The spot has the best views in Sanriku Fukko National Park. Especially, take in the epic views at the observatory with three cliff capes overlapping one another. If you’ve missed it, you haven’t really seen the ria coastline at all! The cobalt bluish sea and old pine trees across the quay are all dyed to different colors like pictures in different seasons and weather conditions. At an altitude of about 70m above sea level, you can see the neighboring ports and the discernible landscape of the Sanriku coast.
Iwaizumi Town Office Economic and Tourism Exchange Division
3/F, Iwaizumi town hall building, 59-5 Iwaizumi Souhata, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate, Japan 027-0595
Phone｜ +81(0)194-22-2111
Opening hours｜ 8:30am〜5:15pm(except for Sundays, national holidays and New Years season)
Departure from KumanohanaObservatory, arrival at Moshi coast
Approx. 16-min walk
Moshi coast
Departure from Moshi coast, arrival at Omoto station (Sanriku Railway)
Approx.30-min walk
Visiting the tiny museum (in Omoto Sta. complex)
In search of ancient romance
▲Moshi coast
▲The discovery of Moshiryu dinosaur
▲Tiny museum
The discovery of Moshiryu dinosaur fossils
The first dinosaur fossil in Japan was discovered in the Miyako Tanohata Formation in Moshi coast in Iwaizumi Town. The coast is famous for the formation of 100 million-year-old shell fossils such as ammonites. It is also certified as a geosite base of the Sanriku Geopark. At Iwaizumi Oomoto Station (Sanriku Railway), there is a replica of the Mosiryu Fossil and information panels of the Iwaizumi Geosite telling stories from 130 to 110 million years ago (the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era) about the strata of the transitional period when the environment dramatically changed from a rough land with intense volcanic activities to a peaceful sea.
Iwaizumi Town Office Economic and Tourism Exchange Division
3/F, Iwaizumi town hall building, 59-5 Iwaizumi Souhata, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate, Japan027-0595
Phone｜+81(0)194-22-2111 (general)
Closure｜Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and New Year period
Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway)
Here are some information on how to get to the hotels nearby Ryusendo Cave. If you are staying at other hotels, remember to check the transportation in advance.
Timetable:Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route(Japanese)
Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway)ーarrival at Iwaizumi junior high school
Dep. 17:19
Arr. 17:39
Timetable:Iwaizumi Chomin Bus, Omoto route(Japanese)
Departure from Omoto Sta. (Sanriku Railway)
ー arrival at Iwaizumi hospital
Dep. 17:19
Arr. 17:44
Accommodation
Information of the hotels in Iwaizumi town
Highlight 2
Model courses nearby theMichinoku Coastal Trail Geosite
It’s the longest long mountain trail in Japan- Let’s stroll along Sanriku with sea breeze and sounds of nature
A long path (1,000 km in total) connecting the Pacific coast from Hachinohe City, Aomori, to Soma City, Fukushima- the stunning Michinoku Coastal Trail.
Here are two model courses in the Iwaizumi area. The fruitful journeys include savory local gourmets, as well as epic views of the rias coast and the strata.
- Stroll around the geosite including the excavating site of the Moshiryu dinosaur fossil, the first dinosaur fossil ever in Japan (walking distance = 9 km, walking time = 4 hours)
- Step into the land of precipitous cliffs (height difference = 150m, walking distance = 12.6 km, walking time = 6 hours, a hard course)
▲Sukudou Beach
▲Settai Sta.
Two model courses in the Iwaizumi area(Japanese)
※Highlight 2- for the Michinoku Coastal Trail courses, be mindful to confirm all transportation times and accommodation details in advance.
Areas
Artists
-
Oushinai Nanatsumai
The Oushinai Nanatsumai is a kind of kagura, allegedly conveyed to Nakazato and Kishi communities around the Tempo era (1831-1845). It was Shinkuro Takeda from Nakazato who taught this dance to the youth in his own yard in the development era of Oushinai. There is a record telling that the dance was dedicated to a local shrine in 1949. Despite several years of its inactivity after that, they persistently kept the practice until the dance troupe, gradually reorganized with the children from elementary to junior high school, joined the 9th Iwaizumi Town Folk Performing Arts Festival in 1975. In their repertory are Dogu-tori, Yokobane, Toriigakarichirashi, Goho-no-ya, and Dogu-osame. The dance depicts the way to cultivate and purify the earth, warding off the evil spirit, with the seven instruments, as a prayer for a rich harvest and safety of family.
-
Nakano Nanazumai Preservation Society
Nakano Nanazumai is a folk performance art handed down in the Omoto Nakano district of Iwaizumi Town. It is said to have origins dating back to the 1840’s , when Kitaro Kudo, who was called Kagura Tayu ”Master of Kagura Sacred Dance” at the time, created it by using the beginning portion of a kagura dance as its basic inspiration. The performers include 7 pairs of dancers doing 7 different dance segments that are named Dogu-tori, Yoko-hane, Chirashi, Tatakai, Tsuttōtsu, Sansoku “Torii-gakari”, and Dogu-osame. At the time, these were performed as kagura sacred dances, but as times changed, they became integrated into the village festival. Nakano Nanazumai is a gallant and lively dance entreating an abundant harvest, big catches in the sea and the general safety of the village. The strong and graceful dance imagines the hard work of preparing new fields, then raising precious crops, and finally thankfully celebrating that year’s harvest all together with fellow villagers.
Sanriku International Arts Festival 2022 REVIVE
– An FY 2022 Japan Cultural Expo Project Presented and Co-presented by Japan Arts Council and Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Organized by｜Sanriku International Arts Committee, Japan Arts Council, and Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Co-organized by｜Hachinohe City, Hashikami Town, Hirono Town, Kuji City, Noda Village, Fudai Village, Tanohata Village, Iwaizumi Town, Miyako City, Yamada Town, Otsuchi Town, Kamaishi City, Ofunato City, Rikuzentakata City, Sumita Town, Sanriku Railway Co., Ltd., Japan Folk Performing Arts Association, NPO Iwate Arts Support Center, and NPO Japan Contemporary Dance Network
Cooperated by｜NPO Shinsai Regain, imajimu LLC, Tohoku Cultural Property Video Research Institute, Minna no Shirushi LLC