At a Glance
Kurihara's Mascot, Nejiri Hon'nyo!
Welcome to Kurihara!
What is Kurihara today was once a collection of ten rural towns that merged to form a wide city. Kurihara encompasses a wide, rural area. Kurihara has a bustling city center called Tsukidate. It is the most central region of the city. It's home to the city hall, the cultural center, a number of eateries, a golf center, an onsen, karaoke, and much more. It is the place many people in Kurihara go to for after work entertainment. However, each town contains its own charming restaurant scene that everyone can enjoy.
Kurihara also boasts picturesque, natural scenery that is impossible to find in densely populated cities. Want to climb a mountain? Try hiking Mt. Kurikoma! It's stunning autumn foliage is regularly featured on national TV programs in the fall. It’s also a geo-park that attracts visitors from around the country and even overseas. Since there's not much light pollution, you can enjoy seeing the full Milky Way Galaxy and thousands of stars on clear nights.
What is Kurihara today was once a collection of ten rural towns that merged to form a wide city. Kurihara encompasses a wide, rural area. Kurihara has a bustling city center called Tsukidate. It is the most central region of the city. It's home to the city hall, the cultural center, a number of eateries, a golf center, an onsen, karaoke, and much more. It is the place many people in Kurihara go to for after work entertainment. However, each town contains its own charming restaurant scene that everyone can enjoy.
Kurihara also boasts picturesque, natural scenery that is impossible to find in densely populated cities. Want to climb a mountain? Try hiking Mt. Kurikoma! It's stunning autumn foliage is regularly featured on national TV programs in the fall. It’s also a geo-park that attracts visitors from around the country and even overseas. Since there's not much light pollution, you can enjoy seeing the full Milky Way Galaxy and thousands of stars on clear nights.
The towns comprising Kurihara
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Kurikoma 栗駒
"Kuri" means chestnut in Japanese, and "Koma" is an ancient Japanese word for horse. Kurikoma is a small town of 15,000 people located in the northwestern Miyagi. It's bordering our neighboring prefectures, Iwate and Akita. It is well known for the inactive volcano, Mt. Kurikoma (1600m). Kurikoma Mountain is a great place to enjoy nature’s beauty. There are cabins available at a reasonable price, along with onsen, a pool, sauna, gift shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. The Dashi Matsuri is on last weekend of July every year. On Saturday afternoon through the evening you can see illuminated floats, eat festival food, watch traditional dancing, and even the carrying of the shrine. The floats parade through town on Sunday. There is also a Hanabi Matsuri (fireworks) in August and a Taiko festival in September. Tsukidate 築館 Tsukidate is the largest town in the area. From Route 4, you can find grocery stores (Yoku Benimaru, Super Arcs, Yamaya), 100 yen shops, and convenience stores. Yakushiyama is located behind the elementary school in Tsukidate and is visible from Route 4. It has a 1000+ year old tree, a Buddhist temple and a small park which is great for cherry blossom viewing in the spring. There is a festival the first weekend of November, called Yakushi Matsuri, which involves sake and a parade. Ichihasama 一迫 Every year around Setsubun, Ichihasama does a Mikoshi parade through the snow-covered streets. The carriers wear nothing but loincloths, and the spectators throw buckets of cold water on them as they pass by. It's quite the sight! There's also the beautiful Kozofudo Falls(小僧不動の滝) near quaint Oda Dam Kohan golf park. Finally, you can stay in Kazenosawa Lodge (風の沢) to see traditional Japanese architecture, contemporary sculptures and gardens, and beautiful nature. Takashimizu 高清水 Home to a beautiful natural park called Shintsutsumi, Takashimizu is a wonderful town to visit if you're interested in visiting rural Japan and taking in the natural landscapes of the area. There are camping facilities here, so you can truly immerse yourself in nature. There's also a charming traditional park in the city called Josotobori Park. It has lovely traditional bridges, plants, and water ways. |
Kannari 金成
Kannari has a population of 7,000 people; bringing 2 districts, Kannari and Sawabe together. Though it’s a small town, it has a lot to offer. There is a small Russian orthodox church, an old school converted into a museum, and many small shrines. One of the shrines has a Samurai festival every year on the first Sunday in April. There is also an onsen, "Kannari Onsen", at the top of the hill. It's 600 yen for entrance, and has a breathtaking view of Kurikoma Mountain. Kannari has a lot of rice fields and many great views of Kurikoma Mountain. In the fall, the town festival is held and hosts Kabuki performances as well as other entertainment. From Kannari, it’s only a 15-minute drive to its larger neighbor, Ichinoseki in Iwate. Hanayama 花山 Hanayama is one of the smallest towns in Miyagi in terms of population, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there's nothing there! It has 3 onsens, and camping facilities too. Hanayama is a great getaway for some relaxation time due to the laid back atmosphere and the fact that most things close by 7 or 8 pm every night. Hanayama has some great things to offer. There is an old guard gate/customs gate by the Nuruyuu Sansou Onsen that dates back to the Edo Period. There are two shrines in town; one is close to the elementary school, on top of a hill with an excellent view of the lake. The other is larger and is close to the border with Ichihasama. Close to the junior high school, there is a famous campground that is located beside Hanayama Lake. You can boat and kayak there. In the springtime, the campground is also a great place for viewing the local cherry blossoms. There is a notable waterfall in the area, Shiraito no Take(白糸の滝), however there are many more in the area to enjoy. For people interested in pottery, you can visit Mr. Shuji Kudoh. He is a residential potter originally from Iwate, and he speaks some English. Lastly, there is a house from the Edo period, previously owned by the samurai Chiba Shyuusaku. There is a matchlock rifle festival held each spring, and it's a sight you won't forget! Wakayanagi 若柳 Wonderful Wakayanagi may seem small, however it is no less charming than any other village in Kurihara. For example, you can enjoy the Kuriden Rail Museum for just 500 yen. Do you love lotus? You can enjoy a lotus flower garden at Izunuma-Uchinuma Sanctuary Center on Izunuma lake. There are many interactive exhibits here for learning more about Miyagi's natural wildlife. |
Uguisuzawa 鶯沢
Originally a mining town of over 30,000, Uguisuzawa is now one of the smaller towns in Kurihara City. With a current population of 3,000 people, Ugu (as it’s been fondly nicknamed) really does epitomize country life. There isn't really a large supermarket, but there are some small restaurants scattered around the town. Nestled at the foot of mountains, Mt. Kurikoma is a mere stone’s throw away. Lush rice fields stretch in every direction and a river runs through the center of town. It’s a great place to unwind or take a Sunday drive. There are also some festivals throughout the year. In March, on the first Saturday and Sunday there is the Ume Matsuri festival displaying an amazing range of bonsai trees. In June, there is the Satsuki Bonsai Matsuri, this time showing Bonsai in full bloom. Very subtle, but highly recommended to anyone with an interest in bonsai. Another attraction is the Mine Park, where was once a goldmine. There's also a Lapras boat outside the museum. Shiwahime 志波姫 Small in population, but huge geographically. What makes this small town unique and special is the Kurikoma Kogen Shinkansen Station, with the multi-purpose Epoca behind the station. Inside, you will find a gym, an onsen, and a walking pool. The gym has treadmills, bikes and weights. On the first floor of Epoca there is a gift shop which sells inexpensive produce that local farmers bring to sell. There’s also good cake and ice cream in this store. On the second floor of Epoca, there is an Internet café for 100 yen/hour. Semine 瀬峰 Semine is home to a grocery store and a few convenience stores, but most of all is located right on the Touhoku Honsen JR train line. For less than 1,000 yen, a ride to Sendai is simple and easy and gives you great access to just about anything you need, as well as many places around the prefecture. You can also enjoy Semine Gorindoyama park, which is full of beautiful cherry blossom trees and wisteria trees for a springtime full of hanami. |
Restaurants
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Sumibiichiba Ju. - 炭火いちば じゅう。
A yakiniku place on route 4 near the covered bridge. Jyu is a more upscale restaurant in Kurihara, with delicious cuts of meat and an extensive menu. Ryutenko - 龍天鴻 A yakiniku place in Kannari. The owner, Endo-san, loves classic rock and can speak English. His signature dish is mango chutney in a cow tongue curry. It's got all the standard yakiniku fare and the servings are generous, which leaves guests feeling satisfied after a visit to Ryutenko. Ayame's - あやめの里 This restaurant-meet-farmer's market is near the hollow log and the Sanno Ruins/Iris Park in Ichihasama, on Route 398. It serves typical Japanese cuisine. Their katsu curry is recommended by regulars. After you're done eating you can pick up some flowers or produce from the attached marketplace! Hanamai no Sato - 花舞の里 A soba restaurant located along Route 398. Delicious soba and tempura is served here, complete with freshly harvested mushrooms! If you come to Kurihara to see the leaves in the fall, this restaurant is a worthy choice. Darumaya - だるま屋食事処 Located next to what was the train station for the mine park, this ramen restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere and a good reputation among locals. Should you find yourself in the area, this location comes highly recommended for those seeking an authentic ramen experience. Zucca - ごはんやZucca A small pork restaurant in the hills of Kurihara. There's four items on the menu, and each are worth giving a try. If you like pork katsu, this is a good restaurant for you to try! Ramen Shop Cosmos - ラーメンショップ秋花コスモス A ramen shop located near Kurihara-Kogen station. Known for its shiitake ramen - a filling soup with a deep umami flavor. If you crave spicy food, this restaurant has a spicy miso option that exceeds expectations. The portions here are large, so visitors rarely leave without feeling satisfied. Felice A family owned Italian restaurant that serves pasta, pizza, salads, and coffee. The dishes come at an incredible price for a hearty amount of food. The coffee is really good and comes in local cups made from local pottery. |
Sushi Restaurants
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Heiroku Kaiten-zushi - 平禄寿司
We've got two of this local conveyor belt sushi chain; one is off of route 4 near Green Honda, and another is in central Wakayanagi. The sashimi here is fresh which sets it apart from typical chain restaurants. |
Cafés
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La Bonte
This is a cute restaurant that looks like a log cabin from the outside. It serves mainly Italian food. Koropokkur - コロポックル A jazz cafe on Lake Izunuma. Their most recommended item is their baked curry doria and BLTs. Kaimenkoya - かいめんこや Located in an old house, this cafe blends modern-style dishes on traditional tableware. The bookshelves and decor give this cafe a comforting and warm atmosphere. Kutsurogi - くつろぎ A coffee shop located in Hanayama near the campgrounds. Cafe Chouchou Tiny cafe located in Shimizu. Prices are reasonable and the dishes are delectable. A good place to stop in for some quiet time after a trip to the mountains in autumn. |
Patisserie and Bakery
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PALETTE
This is a cute bakery called Palette. It's just down the road from the waterwheel restaurant, you can buy nice little cakes and coffee here. It has an outdoor table, which is nice to sit out at on summer days. You can even buy birthday cakes from here. |
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Miyagi Lapras Pokelid - Ducklett
Did you know that Miyagi's Ambassador Pokemon is Lapras? There are 35 decorative Lapras Manhole Covers all over Miyagi! You can see this manhole at Kurihara's Road Station Rotarii Hanayama! Why Ducklett? Kurihara's Iwanuma Lake is a famous annual nesting spot for all kinds of waterfowl! |
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Sakuradasan Shrine - 櫻田山（イケメン）神社
The 1500 year old shrine in Kurihara. Home of Hidetaka Kano (famous Japanese comedian), and has a bunch of unique and custom omamori and shuin. |
Road Stations
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Michi no Eki - Rotarii Hanayama - 道の駅 路田里花山
Do you know about Miyagi's Michi no Eki's or Road Side Stations? They often have restaurants that offer meals made from local ingredients! At each Road Side Station, there usually is a store that sells local products that can range from local produce, local sake, small souvenirs, to wooden crafts! Please check out your closest Michi no Eki for unique goods! |
Hiking Spots
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Mt. Kurikoma - 栗駒山
Spanning the northwest part of Miyagi Prefecture and standing 1627 meters tall, Mt. Kurikoma is one of the first things that people think of when they hear Kurihara. It borders three prefectures; Miyagi, Iwate, and Akita. It is an active stratavolcano and considered one of the famous 200 Mountains of Japan. Due to the richness of the soil on Mt. Kurikoma, the mountain is covered in flowers in spring and has impressive fall colors in the beginning of autumn. Being a volcano, there are plenty of hot springs on Mt. Kurikoma - but during winter when it snows a lot it's difficult to get to them. |
Ski Lodge
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Onikobe Ski Area - オニコウベスキー場
If you like snowboarding or skiing, you’re in luck! We happen to have a small slope reasonably close to us near Naruko called Onikobe. If you are really interested in skiing or snowboarding, you might like to ask some others to join you on Onikobe. Onikobe is about a 1 hour drive from Tsukidate. You can rent gear on the mountain. There are lessons available in Japanese. It's popular to journey to one of the many onsen in Naruko after a long day of skiing. |
Hot Springs
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Koma no Yu - 駒の湯温泉・蕎麦カフェ
Ａ recently rebuilt onsen and cafe on the foothills of Mt. Kurikoma. The water is fairly cold (39~41C), but it is relaxing. Good to stop in after hiking up the volcano. There's a cafe next door that sells soba. It's seasonal, so you can't visit during winter. Yubama/Yunohama Onsen - 湯浜温泉 Located in a valley along Route 398 on Mt. Kurikoma, this ryokan/onsen is completely immersed in the surrounding nature. You can stay here overnight with a dinner and breakfast service included - both meals utilizing the produce grown locally at the onsen. A one-time onsen pass is available for 500 yen. Towels aren't provided, so it's expected for you to bring your own. There is also a mixed-gender bath in front of the waterfall which courses near the inn. It's closed in winter, so make sure you plan your stop during the warmer months. Nuruyu Sanso - 花山温泉 温湯(ぬるゆ)山荘 Located next to a museum in a historic building, it's a very quiet hot spring on the way to Akita via Route 398. It's fairly cheap at ￥510, and supposedly has some good autumn scenery in the open air bath. |
Museums
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Kuriden Museum - くりでんミュージアム
Back in the past, the region which makes up Kurihara had its own rail line. The service ended in the early 2000s as the population fell, but a museum was established to keep the memory of the railway company. You can get tours of the mine park as well as ride a railway bike at the Kuriden museum. Hosokura Mine Park - 細倉マインパーク Once one of the largest zinc and lead mines in Japan with a history dating back to the 9th century, this now closed mine is home to a theme park. You can tour the mines and pan for gold. |
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Sannoshiseki Garden - 山王史跡
A garden in Kurihara famous for its iris festival in the summer months. |
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Kozou Fudou - 小僧不動の滝
Slightly off the beaten path, this waterfall is not far from Koda Dam and the A la Date roadside station. A short hike will take you to a very beautiful waterfall next to a small temple. |
