A Trip to Iwate - Iwate Prefecture Tourism Portal Site

Gembikei Gorge

( National place of scenic beauty; natural monument )
Gembikei Gorge is a dynamic 2-km gorge formed by the Iwai River flowing from Mt. Kurikoma. In 1927, it was designated as a national place of scenic beauty and a natural monument. The rough boulders on either side of the river and the beautiful clear water become colored with cherry blossoms in the spring, azaleas in the early summer, and the autumn foliage. The sound of the water echoes against the rocks and fills the gorge. From April through October, you can also ride an excursion carriage around the gorge.
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Kakkō Dango Shop "Kakkō-ya"

Gembikei is famous for its dango, or sweet rice dumpling. There are many dango shops, but the most famous is the Kakko-ya, established in 1878, and its Kakko Dango, also known as the “Flying Dango.” You put money in a basket hanging on a cable stretched across the river and knock on a board to signal the store on the other side of the river; the basket is then pulled up to the store, and comes back flying across the river with dango and tea inside. Three types of dango are available: an ( red bean ) , goma ( sesame ) , and mitarashi ( sweet soy sauce syrup ) .

Geibikei Gorge

( Special historic site )
Geibikei is a 2-km gorge formed by the Satetsu River, surrounded by soaring cliffs of over 50 meters. The name “Geibi,” which means “lion nose,” comes from a limestone near the end of the gorge which resembles a lion's nose.

It is famous for its 90-minute round-trip boat ride, with a great view of waterfalls, impressive rocks, a limestone cave, etc. At the half way point of the ride, you can get off the boat for a walk. There is a large cliff with a small hole, and you can purchase “undama” or “luck stones” ( 5 stones for 100 yen ) and try to throw them into the hole; if you are successful, you will get good luck. There are many fish in the river, which you can feed from the boat. During the downstream ride, you can enjoy the boatman sing a local folk song called Geibi Oiwake. From December through February, you can enjoy a hot nabe dish on a boat with a kotatsu, a low table which also serves as a heater.
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Our guide was Miyuki Chiba, the first female boat guide at Geibikei. She told us about the points of interest and how some of the rocks were named for their shapes. The charm of the Geibikei boat ride not only lies in the view from the boat, but also in the fun and informative stories told by the guides.

The boat arrived and docked at the halfway point. We got off and walked to Daigeibigan Rock, the furthest point of the tour.

We bought 5 "undama" stones for 100 yen, and tried our luck with "undama throw"! It is said that your wish will come true if you can successfully throw the stones into the hole in the cliff wall on the opposite bank. As Omocchi cheered me on, I threw the stones with all my might...but to no avail.

After walking around, we headed back on the boat. The downstream ride was slow and easy, with the guide singing a local folk song called Geibi Oiwake which echoed throughout the ravine. I had bought fish food before the ride; as soon as I sprinkled the food into the water, the boat became surrounded by an overwhelming number of carp, which would follow the boat. Finally, the boat arrived at the landing. Omocchi and I thoroughly enjoyed our Geibikei boat ride experience.
*Fish food can be purchased at the shop in the boarding area.

Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo Temple

( National historic site )
Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo Temple is a temple built in the rock wall of a cliff. It was built about 1,200 years ago, in the early Heian period, to commemorate the victory of the central Japanese government over the indigenous people of the north called the Emishi. Bishamon Temple has burned down many times and its original form is unknown today; the current building was reconstructed in 1961, modeled after the famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. There used to be 108 statues of Bishamonten, the Guardian of the North, of which 33 remain today.
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Esashi Fujiwara no Sato ( Fujiwara Heritage Park )

Esashi Fujiwara no Sato ( Fujiwara Heritage Park ) is a theme park built as a Heian period city; it is located in Oshu City, which is the birthplace of Kiyohira, the first lord of the Oshu-Fujiwara clan. The 20-hectare park has many reconstructed buildings of the period, a replica of the Konjikido Hall of Chusonji Temple, reconstructions of Muryokoin Temple, Yanagi no Gosho, etc. Various flowers such as cherries, azaleas, water lilies, hydrangeas, and bush clovers add color to the park. The park has been used as a shooting location for many movies, TV dramas, and commercials. A thorough walk around the park takes about 2 hours. There is a restaurant where you can enjoy Iwate's specialties; groups of 5 or more with a reservation can also enjoy a special “Heian-style menu.”
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