The "Dokonjo(gutsy) Poplar" Survived the Massive Tsunami is so Tall 6.3, 2025

In Okirai, Sanriku-cho, Ofunato City, there is a poplar tree that survived the massive tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake and came to be known as the "Dokonjo(gutsy) poplar".

The area around the poplar is now maintained as the "Dokonjo poplar square", but according to the information board, before the Great East Japan Earthquake, it was a place where shops, inns, and material warehouses were located.

I had visited the area once before I started living with Sachiki-san, but I went back again with Sachiki-san for a walk.

The Dokonjo poplar is so tall that you should look up to see it. It is about 25m tall, about the height of a 7-8 story building. It is about 80 years old. It was planted after the Sanriku tsunami in 1933.

The grass in the square had just been mowed, so Sachiki-san found it comfortable to sit on.

The Ofunato Tsunami Narrative Society website has a picture of the "Dokonjo poplar" standing among the rubble. 

https://www.ofunato-tsunami-museum.org/kui-3-3-dokonjopoplar

Cherry Tree Pruning Work was Being Done at Takamatsunoike Pond 3.19, 2025

When Sachiki-san and I lived in Morioka City, we sometimes took walks around Takamatsunoike Pond. We had dog friend dogs there, walked with us when we met them while we were walking.

Even after moving, I still get sachiki-san ​​shampooed at our favorite dog salon in Morioka City, so we take a walk in Morioka City before going to the salon.​ This time we stopped by Takamatsunoike Pond.

It's been a while since we last walked around Takamatsunoike Pond, and there were only a few swans. Most of them seem to have returned north.

Cherry tree pruning work was being done around the pond.
The cherry trees here have been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan," and together with Morioka Castle Site Park, it is the venue for the "Morioka Sakura (cherry blossoms) Festival."

Takamatsu Park
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html

Hydrangeas at Tenshochi have Started to Bloom 6.19, 2024

Tenshochi in Kitakami City is known as one of the three major cherry blossom viewing spots in the Tohoku region. Hydrangeas are planted along the bicycle and pedestrian path that runs alongside the cherry blossom trees, making it a place where you can enjoy beautiful flowers even other than cherry blossom season.

Hydrangeas have started to bloom near my house, so I and Sachiki-san went to see them at Tenshochi, thinking that they would also be starting to bloom.

The bicycle and pedestrian path is in the shade of the cherry blossom trees in the morning, so even Sachiki-san, who gets hot easily, can walk comfortably.

The hydrangeas have just started to bloom, but some trees are already in full bloom.

There are various facilities around Tenshochi. (Pets are not allowed)

The Gradation of Green around Hayachine Dam was Beautiful 5.5, 2024

Hayachine Dam is located in the mountains of Ohasama town, Hanamaki city, which is famous for wine and Kagura-dancing for Gods. There is a roadside station Hayachine on the shore of this dam, but it is closed during the winter. It seems that they have resumed business in time for Golden Week-the large consecutive holidays in May, so I visited to get stamps for the roadside station stamp rally with Sachiki-san. However, this post is not about the roadside station, but about the beautiful gradation of the fresh greenery around the dam, which varies in color from pale green to dark green.

As usual, Sachiki-san is the main in the photo (lol)

The ground level of the buildings built at the top of the slope is the height of the roads and parking lots surrounding the dam. From there you can walk down to near the water surface.

It was a bit hot that day, so Sachiki-san took a break in the shade of trees.

The Cherry Blossoms at Tenshochi have Started Blooming 4.11, 2024

The cherry blossoms at Tenshochi in Kitakami City, one of the three major cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku, have begun to bloom. Sachiki-san and I went to see it early because it gets crowded during the peak viewing season. It's been about 10 years since I saw the cherry blossoms at Tenshochi. The cherry trees at Tenshochi are planted on the east bank of the Kitakami River for about 2 km. The last time I saw the cherry blossoms here, I looked across the Kitakami River from the opposite bank, so I didn't notice that there was a large grassy area, a SL (steam locomotive) was on display and there was a dock.

The SL on display is C58 342

Together with the SL, a snowplow car is also on display. It had been used on the Kitakami Line, which runs through areas with heavy snowfall.

While I was looking at the SL and the snowplow car, I forgot that I had come to see the cherry blossoms. (lol)

A large grassy area. The row of cherry trees looks far away.

The cherry blossoms are still in deep pink buds.

The dock looks like a set for a historical drama.

Sachiki-san relaxed under the cherry trees, where there were still few people.

During the Sakura Festival, a parking fee of 500 yen will be required as a cooperation fee.

The Miyamori River Bridge Looks Like the Milky Way Train Pass over it 12.18,2023

The JR Kamaishi Line Miyamori River Bridge, which was completed 80 years ago in September 1943, is still in use today.
This bridge has been certified by various organizations, including a civil engineering heritage site selected by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and a modern industrial heritage site by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Sachiki-san and I went there, because it is also a Lover's Sanctuary.
Sachiki-san is also my lover.

Sachiki-san prefers snow to the bridges.

The SL Ginga, which was running on the Kamaishi Line after The Great East Japan Earthquake until June of this year, also passed over this bridge, and the observation facilities were in place, making it a perfect photo spot.

The SL (steam locomotive) that passed over this bridge must have been like the Miky Way Train.
The brick pillar by the side of the bridge are said to be a pillar of the bridge that was completed in November 1915, during the time when Kenji Miyazawa, who wrote ‘Night on The Milky Way Train’ was alive.

Miyamori River Bridge
https://www.city.tono.iwate.jp/index.cfm/45,26756,255,html

The Black of the Yakehashiri Lava Flow and the White of the Snow Cap of Mt. Iwate were Beautiful 10.25, 2023

The Yakehashiri lava flow, which was created by volcanic activity on Mt. Iwate about 300 years ago, is located on the east side of Mt. Iwate, about 30 km north of Morioka city.

I can get there in about an hour by car from my home, so I went there with Sachiki-san when the top of Mt. Iwate was covered with snow.

The Yakedahashiri Lava Flow is a nationally designated special natural monument, so pets are not allowed on the walking path set up in the Lava Flow. Although it is not possible to cross the lava flow to get to the observation deck, you can walk about 1km from the parking lot along the road that runs along the edge of the lava flow. Although you cannot see the lava flow from this road, the sidewalk is wide and easy to walk on.

Sachiki-san couldn't help but bite a big fallen leaf that he doesn't see on his usual walks.

Arrived at the observation deck!

The contrast between the black lava and the white snow cap of Mt. Iwate was very beautiful.

We walked back the same way we came and went back to the parking lot, and I left Sachiki-san in the car and walked a short distance along the path in the lava flow.

There is an entrance to the walking path in front of the parking lot.

When you climb the stairs at the entrance, you will be greeted with a vast view.

Beyond the black lava are trees, and beyond that is Mt. Iwate. It is a vast landscape that cannot be captured in photos.

Kearashi-steam fog Rising at Takamatsunoike Pond 9.25, 2023

This morning Sachiki-san and I went to Takamatsunoike Pond for a walk.

6 a.m., the temperature was about 11℃. It was cold this morning too.

Kearashi rising from the surface of the water illuminated by the morning sun.

In meteorological terms, this is called "steam fog."

In just a month, the swans will be arriving.

Takamatsu Park
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html

Bukeyashiki Dori with Weeping Cherry Blossoms was full of Japanese Emotion 4.10, 2023

The cherry blossoms are blooming at record-breaking earliness in various places this year, and I can't keep up with making plans to see the cherry blossoms.

While thinking "Let's go here" and "Let's go there", flowers are blooming more and more.

One of the places I want to go to see cherry blossoms, Bukeyashiki(Samurai Residence) Dori(street) in Kakunodate, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, was already in half bloom when I checked the cherry blossoms information.

Kakunodate is about an hour and a half by car from my house. I hurried to see it.

Kakunodate's Bukeyashiki Dori has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and the weeping cherry trees are also designated as a natural protected species.

The pale pink cherry blossoms that shine against the blue sky are very Japanese. Then the black wooden walls are added to it, you can really feel the atmosphere of a samurai drama stage.

Sachiki-san was patted by beautiful geigi(entertainer of Japanese traditional culture)

It was a day full of Japanese emotions.

Takamatsunoike Pond Turned into a Snowy Field 2.6. 2023

Morioka had heavy snow five days ago. When Sachiki-san and I went to Takamatsunoike Pond, I couldn't tell if it was a pond or a snowfield. Swans and other waterfowl were gathered in the narrow remaining water surface surrounded by ice covering the pond.

Sachiki-san now walks 2 to 3 km in one walk, but this time we walked about 1.4 km on the promenade around the pond, which took about an hour. The walking speed is slow, but Sachiki-san was busy sniffing around the snowy road.

The weather was fine, and I could see Mt. Iwate well.

Takamatsu Park

https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html

Walked a Full Circle around Takamatsunoike Pond 12.27.2022

A month and a half ago, when I took Sachiki-san here to show swans, he walked near the parking lot only. However, today he walked a full circle of the promenade around the pond. The circumference of the pond is about 1.4km.

Sachiki-san became 6 months old about a week ago. Recently, Sachiki-san's walks have been getting longer and longer, and I feel like he has grown.

When we came last time, there were still few swans and waterfowl. Moreover, Sachiki-san was more interested in people walking than birds, so he didn't see swans, but this time there were many swans and waterfowl. Sachiki-san listened to the bird's voice nearby, and he seemed looking at them with a feeling of "What are they?"

I have never saw swans so close. When they stood on the ice and I saw their whole bodies, I was amazed at their size.

Takamatsu Park
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html

The Stone Walls of Morioka Castle Site were Magnificent 12.3.2022

Morioka Castle Site Park is located in the center of Morioka city. This is a nationally designated historic site and has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles and Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks. This is also a park where many people take their dogs for a walk.

There is a waterside in the park, and it is a park where you can feel the change of seasons such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, but as this is a castle site, it has magnificent stone walls. In winter, the leaves from have fallen from the trees and the visibility has improved, making it possible to see the stone walls well. Winter is recommended for viewing the stone walls.

In fact, the name Morioka Castle Site Park is a nickname given in 2006 to commemorate the park's 100th anniversary. Its official name is Iwate Park. For me born in 1961, the name Iwate Park is still familiar.

The Nakatsu River runs alongside the park, and the road along the river is named "Victoria Road" after its sister city, Victoria, Canada. This road is also a road I want to take a walk with Sachiki-san someday.

Morioka Castle Site Park
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010491.html

Went to Takamatsunoike Pond to See Swans 11.9.2022

Takamatsunoike Pond is located about 3 km north of the center of Morioka City. The area around this pond has been developed as Takamatsu Park and has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites. There is also a rose garden and a peony garden. When I was in elementary school, half a century ago, the pond was covered with ice in the winter and was used as a natural skating rink. After the ice no longer covered the pond, swans began to come flying. Swans have already arrived this year, so I took Sachiki-san to the pond to show him swans. 

However, Sachiki-san was more interested in the ground and passers-by than swans.

A woman said petting Sachiki-san, "Your face looks like a princess." Indeed, Sachiki-san's forehead is Fuji-bitai, hairline is in the shape of Mt. Fuji, which is synonym for a beautiful woman. Samoyeds look like this at some period in their puppyhood. Samoyed owners call it a monkey face.

Sachiki-san can now walk up and down the low steps in the park.

Takamatsu Park
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html