Took a Walk in the Pine Grove at Goishi Coast 2.13,2024

Although this winter has been mild, Morioka, which is located inland, is still cold this year, too. For myself from the relatively warm coastal area of Iwate Prefecture, Morioka's winter is still cold, so Sachiki-san and I went to Goishi Coast in the southern part of the coastal area to escape from the cold.

Though Morioka's winters may be comfortable for Sachiki-san.

In Ofunato, where the Goishi Coast is located, the Tsubaki Matsuri, Camellia Festival, began at the end of January. It will be a while before the camellias bloom outdoors, but they are already blooming inside the greenhouse at Sekai no Tsubaki-kan Goishi, World Camellia Museum Goishi.

Sachiki-san wasn't allowed to go into the greenhouse, so we skipped there and took a walk along the Goishi Coast.

The weather was nice that day, with the temperature reaching 13 degrees Celsius.

From the parking lot, we walked through the pine grove to Goishizaki Lighthouse at the southern end of Goishi Coast.

The promenade is well maintained, and it is very easy to walk. You can see the blue sky and blue sea through the pine trees.

It's a promenade in the grove, so even Sachiki-san, who is weak against heat, can safely walk there.

I'm thinking of coming here to escape the heat in the summer.

Visited to Kamaishi Daikannon for New Year's Visit 1.19,2024

Sachiki-san and I visited to Kamaishi Daikannon for New Year's visit after Matsunouchi, the new year week, had passed, avoiding the crowds of New Year's visit.

We can bring our pets into the precinct of the temple, and as long as we hold them or keep them in cages, we can take the escalator beside the approach, enter the stupa, and the Kannon statue. We can't go into the store with our pets.

This Kannon statue is 48.5m tall and has an observatory on its chest, which corresponds to the 12th floor of a building, allowing we to view the scenery from a height of 120m above sea level.

I didn't have the confidence to walk in the building with　Sachiki-san in my arms, let alone climb up to the 12th floor, so I didn't go inside the building or the Kannon statue, but I did take a walk with Sachiki-san along the approach and in the precinct, looked out at Kamaishi Bay.

This place is designated as a Lover's Sanctuary, so I prayed the Kannon-sama to help Sachiki-san and me stay together happily ever after.

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

Morioka Illumination Bright was Full of Gentle Light 12.1, 2023

''Morioka Illumination Bright'', which was held last year as a new winter event in Morioka, has started again this year.

Illuminations are lit in the square in front of the Morioka History and Culture Museum, Morioka Ekimae Dori Shopping Street, Kippushi Ryokuchi, Zaimokucho Shopping Street, Odori Shopping Street, Sakanacho Shopping Street, and Hachiman Dori Street.

The lights will be on until February 29th next year, from 5pm to 10pm.

On the first day of the lighting, Sachiki-san and I went to the main venue, the square in front of the Morioka History and Culture Museum.

You will forget the time when you are in the venue filled with gentle and warm colored light.

もりおかイルミネーションブライト (moriokaillumi.com)

Felt an Early Christmas Feeling at the Wreath Festival 11.26, 2023

"Wa no Machi Morioka wreath festival" has begun, coloring the city of Morioka in winter.

Wreaths made using locally grown cedar leaves from thinning are displayed in the center of Morioka City from November 26th (Sun) to December 25th (Mon).

From November 29th (Wed) to December 3rd (Sun), the wreaths submitted by the public will be exhibited at Iwate-ken Kokaido(Iwate Prefectural Public Hall).

Sachiki-san and I went around some of the wreaths for walking.

Sachiki-san can sit but can't stay, so it's difficult to take a commemorative photo next to something.

The symbol-wreath with a diameter of 180 cm in front of Iwate-ken Kokaido(Iwate Prefectural Public Hall)

It's still November but looking at the wreaths makes me feel like Christmas or the end of the year.

A point-wreath with a diameter of 1m in front of the TV Iwate

A point-wreath with a diameter of 1m in front of Morioka History and Culture Museum

Preparations for the ``Morioka Illumination Bright'' which is about to begin are underway next to this point-wreath.

There is one symbol-wreath, 14 point-wreaths, and seven 50cm diameter sponsor-wreaths in the center of Morioka.

We will try to go around to see all of them all before Christmas.

Wa no Machi Morioka wreath festival

https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/042/384/231122rinsei1.pdf

Water of Iwai River Flowing through Genbikei was Mysterious Blue 11.1, 2023

Sachiki-san and I went to Genbikei, which is located in Ichinoseki City, about 100 km south of Morioka City, and is popular among inbound foreign tourists.

Even if you drive 100km, you're still in Iwate Prefecture, so I really think that Iwate Prefecture is huge.

It seemed like the best time to see the autumn leaves was little way away, but we found some fallen leaves that had turned red.

"Sachiki-san, this is not a snack."

The area around the gazebo where you can order ``Kakko Dango (dumpling)'', also known as ``flying dango'', is also a viewing point, so tourists were gathering.

Avoiding the crowds near the gazebo and walked from the parking lot towards the downstream direction opposite the gazebo.

The Iwai River water seen through the trees was slightly milky blue.

This seems to be due to the hot spring ingredients of Mt. Kurikoma, from which the Iwai River flows.

As we walked through the trees, we came across a suspension bridge.

Instead of crossing the suspension bridge, we went back the way we came.

we went back near the parking lot and looked from the bridge, which is not a suspension bridge.

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.

Rode a Gondola at Appi Kogen 10.12, 2023

I went to Appi Kogen for the first time in 34 years.

In the past, I went for skiing with my colleagues, and this time for riding on a gondola ride with Sachiki-san.

Dogs are allowed riding on the Appi Kogen gondola. Dogs up to about the size of a golden retriever can fit in the space between the seats facing each other.

Sachiki-san didn't seem to like going into the building where the gondola boarding area is. Because it was his first time to enter such a building and there was a lot of noise from the machines. But he was staying relaxed and calm on the gondola. Maybe it's because he is used to be in my car.
The gondola kept moving slowly when getting on and off, so I held Sachiki-san in my arms as we got on and off.
It takes approximately 15 minutes to reach the mountaintop gondola station. The area around the station is called Sky Area, where there is a dinosaur park, observatories and an athletics area, etc. It's also good for walking with a dog.

Sachiki-san roared at the dinosaur that moved and made sounds. It's his first time seeing it.

There are wooden paths and stairs leading up to the summit of Maemoriyama, making it easy to walk.
Mt. Iwate could be seen clearly from there.

Appi Kogen was originally a ski resort, but now it is called an all-season resort with various facilities, and even when there is no snow, the gondola operates, and this time I was able to ride it for half the price. Sachiki-san was for free.

The Autumn Leaves in Kakkonda Valley have Just Begun 10.11, 2023

I had heard that the autumn leaves would be late this year due to the long lingering summer heat, but according to the autumn leaves information, Kakkonda Valley is now in its best season.

"It is a must go!'' Sachiki-san and I visited to Takinoue Onsen hot spring by the Kakkonda River.

Takinoue Onsen is located about 40 km from Morioka city, and although it is not far from the city, it is a place where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a secret hot spring.

There is a facility where you can take a day trip bath, but since I was with Sachiki-san, I did not take a bath this time.

As the name Takinoue Onsen suggests, the hot spring is located upstream of Torigoe Falls.

To see the waterfall, go to Takinoue Onsen, park at the Takinoue Park parking lot, and walk back to Takimidai viewing platform.

The sound of fumarole reaches the parking lot.

It takes about 5 minutes to walk to Takimidai viewing platform.

The waterfall is said to have a height of 30m, but it was hidden behind the trees and I couldn't see the whole thing. The road runs right next to the waterfall, so you can hear the sound of the waterfall while walking.

This is an erosion control dam on the way to Takinoue Onsen. The road is a little wider in this area, so you can park your car and enjoy the scenery.

Cosmos Flowers were in Full Bloom at Machiba Area Park in Goshoko Regional Park 10.1, 2023

Sachiki-san, a Samoyed dog who is sensitive to high temperature, used to stay in an air-conditioned room in the daytime during summer without going out. Now the weather has gotten cooler, he is able to go out in the daytime.

I heard that cosmos flowers were in full bloom on the shores of Lake Gosho, so Sachiki-san and I went to see them.

Lake Gosho is a lake created by Gosho Dam, located about 15 km west of the center of Morioka City. It is known for Iwate Morioka Tsunagi Hot Spring located by the lake, but in addition of the hot spring, the surrounding area is also a regional park that exceeds the municipal area and has various facilities.

The place to see cosmos now is one of these facilities, the Machiba area park. It is a park with a panoramic view of Mt. Iwate, which includes a center house with a rest room and a study room, a picnic area where you can enjoy a barbecue, playground equipment, and a flower garden. The park is closed from December to March.

Cosmos flowers are blooming on the other side of the center house.

Sachiki-san seems to prefer sniffing the ground to admiring flowers.

A picnic area and a kitchen building. You can put up a tent in the picnic area, and you can drive your car to the back of the kitchen building when loading and unloading.

Next to the picnic area, there are play equipment and a hill from which you can view the park.

Wild flowers are planted around the hill, which were the subjects of a paintings by Fukazawa Koko, a painter from Morioka.