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What are the three conditions for forming Rime on trees?
Tourists come to Zao from all over the world to see Rime on trees! “Rime on trees” is the winter feature of Zao, where is located on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures. Rime on trees is the art of nature that can be only seen in a limited area in the world such as Mount Zao, Hakkoda mountains (Aomori Prefecture), Mount Moriyoshi (Akita Prefecture) and so on in Japan. They are called “ice monsters” or “snow monsters” because the shape of trees covered with ice and snow looks like monsters. The core of the Rime on trees is a coniferous tree called “Aomori Todomatsu (Abies mariesii)”. Without this […]
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Mizukaburi of Yonekawa
The gods dressed like the bagworm with straw wrapped around his body pours buckets of water over houses! In the Yonekawa district of Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture, Hibuse (fire-fighting) event called “Mizukaburi” is held every year on Hatsuuma* day. Hibuse is a custom to ward off fire by using the spiritual power of gods and Buddha to prevent fires, in Japan, there is a legend from ancient times that if it does not rain on Hatsuuma day, there will be many fires. In the villages of the Yonekawa district, the men wearing straw clothes called “Oshime” and straw sandals, smear charcoal on their faces and sprinkle water on the roofs […]
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Zashiki-warashi
If you really want to meet a Zashiki-warashi, we recommend traveling to the Tohoku region. There are inns where you can meet a Zashiki-warashi, but if you’re wearing normal clothes instead of kimono, it’s just the ghost of a child. Zashiki-warashi is a child-like deity that has been passed down in the Tohoku region of Japan, where Aomori, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures are located, centering on Iwate Prefecture. It is said to live in a Zashiki (the rooms with tatami mats) or a storehouse, and is said to play tricks on householders and guests, bringing good luck to those who see it and wealth to the family. In […]
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Sendai Tanabata Festival
I’ve put together an introduction to the Tanabata Festival in Sendai, the most famous festival in Japan, and the origin of Tanabata. “Sendai Tanabata Festival” is the most famous Tanabata Festival in Japan held in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture for three days from August 6th to 8th every year. Along with Aomori Prefecture‘s “Nebuta Festival” and Akita Prefecture‘s “Kanto Festival“, it is counted as one of the three major festivals in Tohoku, and attracts more than 2 million tourists every year. There are various theories about the origin of the Tanabata event, such as the Chinese “star festival legend” where the Herdsman (star Altair) and the Weaver Girl (star Vega) […]
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Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.
I previously thought that the scenery of Matsushima was exaggerated to attract tourists, whether it was one of the Three Views of Japan, or it moved Basho Matsuo’s heart. However, I was wrong. It really was an amazing view! Matsushima in Miyagi prefecture, famous for its haiku, “Matsushima-ya, Aa-Matsushima-ya, Matsushima-ya,” is one of the Three Views of Japan, alongside Miyajima of Hiroshima prefecture and Amanohashidate of Kyoto prefecture. Around 260 islands, large and small, are inside Matsushima Bay. The contrast of the blue ocean and green islands is a beautiful view when seen from high ground. “Four Great Views” is four scenic viewpoints of Matsushima, all acquiring three stars from […]
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Sendai Castle
If you visit Sendai, you definitely want to see the equestrian statue of Masamune Date at the Sendai Castle ruins. It is an image of a one-eyed dragon, but it does not have an eyepatch. What does that mean? Sendai Castle, located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, was built by Masamune Date, the 17th head of the Date family and the first lord of the Sendai domain. Honmaru (main enclosure) was completed in 1602. Although the castle tower base was built, it is said that the castle tower was not built in order to avoid Ieyasu Tokugawa’s caution. Sendai Castle is located on Mt. Aoba, so it is affectionately called […]