Iwaizumi: Ryusendo, Traditional Crafts, and Landscapes

A stay in Iwaizumi can focus on a variety of interests: Ryusendo and its underground lakes, a hike on Mount Ureira, traditional crafts, riverside scenery, and local history and geology. Ryusendo’s third underground lake is currently the endpoint of the visitor route; Mount Ureira lies directly above the cave. Other insights can be found at a museum on the history of mining in the Ogawa district and in geological finds along the Moshiru Coast.

Ryusendo and Ureira: A Cave and a Hike

Ryusendo’s third underground lake was discovered during a diving survey in 1967. Today, the visitor route ends there. With an admission ticket, you can visit both Ryusendo and the Ryusendo-Shin Cave Science Museum. This means the cave visit and science museum are available as a combined sightseeing option.

Mount Ureira lies directly above Ryusendo. The hiking season on Mount Ureira is from April to November, and a round trip takes two to three hours. The two attractions have different planning considerations: Ryusendo is defined by the endpoint of the visitor route, while the hiking season and duration are the main considerations for Mount Ureira.

Traditional Crafts at Tedo no Kura

Tedo no Kura is a traditional warehouse complex in the Ureira Street shopping district. It offers insights into traditional crafts from Iwaizumi and hands-on experiences, including weaving, spinning yarn, and pottery. If you are particularly interested in taking part, note that hands-on craft experiences are available by request. When planning, you can decide whether you mainly want to learn about the crafts or also request a hands-on experience.

Riverside Walk and Highland Scenery

A walking path runs along the Shimizu River. Underground water from Ryusendo’s underground lakes flows through the river to central Iwaizumi. The path offers the chance to experience nature in different seasons. The river thus connects Ryusendo’s underground waters with a nature experience along its course, while the walking path itself offers a distinct way to enjoy Iwaizumi’s scenery.

Hayasaka Kogen Prefectural Nature Park lies in the west-central part of Iwaizumi and extends along the former National Route 455. The Hayasaka Kogen Visitor Center is registered as an Iwate Cycle Station. It offers free toilets, seating, a bicycle rack, bicycle repair tools, and an air pump. As facility details may change, check them before your visit.

Local and Geological History

The Iwaizumi Town Museum of History and Folklore reopened on April 21, 2024. It presents the history of coal mining in the Ogawa district and the tools used at the time. Its focus is the district’s history of human labor.

Layers of the Early Cretaceous Miyako Group are exposed along the Moshiru Coast. Ammonites, as well as fossilized clams and snails, have been found there. The coast lies along a route through Iwaizumi. The museum and the coast therefore offer two distinct perspectives on the past: coal mining in the Ogawa district and the much older geological history visible in the rock layers and fossils.

Discover more destinations: Ōshū, Miyako, Tono, Waga District, Rikuzentakata, Ofunato, Hachimantai, Morioka

For the overview of the wider region: Iwate Prefecture.