[About 2 hours from Tokyo] Introducing the hidden gems and attractions of Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, traveled on the Dragon Rail Ōfunato Line!

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The JR Ōfunato Line, which connects Ichinoseki Station to Kesennuma Station, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the section between Ichinoseki Station and Surisawa Station in 2025. The line has been nicknamed the "Dragon Rail Ōfunato Line" because of the large detour it takes alo...

Written by

Ōfunato Line Revitalization Project Council

The JR Ōfunato Line is a railway operated by JR EAST that connects Ichinoseki Station ( Tōhoku Shinkansen Prefecture), a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen, and Kesennuma Station (Miyagi Prefecture), a famous fishing port. The line takes a large detour between Rikuchu-Monzaki Station and Senmaya Station, and hence the nickname "Dragon Rail Ōfunato Line." Along the line, you can see Geibikei, one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan, and the "mochi culture" that is included in "washoku," an intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO. Geibikei in particular will celebrate its 100th anniversary of being designated a scenic spot in 2025, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations along the line. You can enjoy beautiful scenery in each season of the year. In addition, in Ohara, Daito Town, which is closest to Surisawa Station, a strange festival called the "Ichinoseki Daito Ohara Water Festival" is held every year in February, in the middle of winter, where naked men run around and are splashed with water. As you can see, the JR Ofunato Line is full of attractions, including nature, culture, and food. Please come and ride the JR Ōfunato Line as it enters a new stage in its 100th anniversary year!

Table of Contents
Access to Ichinoseki City
Convenient tickets for travel to Ichinoseki City
A variety of spectacular views that can only be seen here
Unique events
mochi culture
Ichinoseki City has a lot to offer!

Access to Ichinoseki City

From Tokyo Station to Ichinoseki Station, take the Tōhoku Shinkansen

・About 2 hours by Hayabusa

・About 2.5 hours by Yamabiko

The World Heritage site of Hiraizumi and Chūson-ji Temple is located nearby, so why not visit both?

Tōhoku Shinkansen

Convenient tickets for travel to Ichinoseki City

With the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), you can ride JR EAST Shinkansen and limited express trains for 5 days for 30,000 yen for adults and 15,000 yen for children! Why not explore the Tohoku region?

For more information and to purchase, click here

A variety of spectacular views that can only be seen here

There are many wonderful places in Ichinoseki City, but in this article we will introduce some of the best scenic spots!

"Cherry Blossoms at Ichinoseki Reservoir Memorial Park"

Cherry blossoms at Ichinoseki Reservoir Memorial Green Park (Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

There are 100 kinds of cherry blossoms in Ichinoseki Reservoir Memorial Green Park. There are about 900 trees in total! There is also a row of cherry trees along the nearby Iwai River, so be sure to check them out too!

Access: About 10 minutes by taxi from Ichinoseki Station

"Michinoku Hydrangea Festival"

Hydrangeas at Michinoku Hydrangea Garden (Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

Hydrangea Pond (Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

At Michinoku Hydrangea Garden, you can enjoy about 40,000 hydrangeas of 400 different varieties. The garden features a "Hydrangea Pond" where hydrangeas of various colors float in the pond, which is sure to look great on social media! When you visit, please wear comfortable waterproof shoes.

Access: From the west exit of Ichinoseki Station, Toban Kotsu Bus, Geibikei, Surisawa Line

Get off at "Mizukami" bus stop, then walk for 15 minutes

Shuttle bus available from Mizukami bus stop (operates on weekends and holidays during the Hydrangea Festival)

*The garden is not open all year round. Hydrangea season is from late June to late July.

*The Hydrangea Pond will only be open on select business days.

"Autumn leaves at Tsuriyama Park"

Autumn leaves at Tsuriyama Park (both images provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

Tsuriyama Park is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, but in autumn it is a place of relaxation for locals, with beautiful tunnels and carpets of autumn leaves. It is also easily accessible, being just a 10-minute walk from Ichinoseki Station!

Access: 10 minutes on foot from Ichinoseki Station

Geibikei

In autumn, you can enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves at Geibikei.

In winter, you can also enjoy your meal on a kotatsu boat.

This valley is counted among the 100 most scenic spots in Japan, and can be enjoyed in different ways throughout the year, with fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and snow. It is one of the leading tourist destinations in the Tohoku region, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary of being designated a Place of Scenic Beauty in 2025.

7 minutes walk from Geibikei Station. For details on boat fares and operating times, please click here.

Learn more

Unique events

There are lots of events happening along the JR Ofunato Line! In this article, we'll introduce some of the most popular ones.

"Fireworks Festival"

Kawasaki Summer Festival Fireworks Festival "Huge fireworks, the city's pride"(Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

The Kawasaki Summer Festival Fireworks Festival "Huge fireworks, the city's pride" - takes place every year on August 16th. This fireworks display creates a beautiful contrast between the Kitakami Ohashi Bridge spanning the Kitakami River and the approximately 10,000 fireworks.

"Summer Festival"

One of the eight festivals is the Ohara Daruma Festival. Young people carry large handmade daruma dolls on their shoulders, praying for good health. (Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

Eight festivals are held throughout the city every year. It might be interesting to compare the festivals held in the various districts!

"Nationwide Local Beer Festival in Ichinoseki"

Nationwide Local Beer Festival in Ichinoseki(Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

This event brings together over 150 types of local beer from all over Japan. It is one of Ichinoseki's summer traditions and takes place over three days. Come and find your favorite beer!

For information about the Kawasaki Summer Festival Fireworks Festival "Huge fireworks, the city's pride" the summer festival, and the "Nationwide Local Beer Festival in Ichinoseki," please click here.

Learn more

"Ichinoseki / Hiraizumi Balloon Festival"

Hot air balloons have a deep connection with Ichinoseki, and it is said that Otsuki Gentaku, a Dutch scholar from Ichinoseki, was the first to use the word "hot air balloon" in his book "Kankai Ibun" (1807). Ichinoseki holds the "Ichinoseki / Hiraizumi Balloon Festival" every year, and also offers trial rides throughout the year in various parts of the city. Come and experience the view and wind from a height of 20m!

"Ichinoseki Daito Ohara Water Festival"

Ichinoseki Daito Ohara Water Festival(Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

The Ichinoseki Daito Ohara Water Festival is a unique festival where naked men run around the city, splashing water on them despite the extreme cold of February. It is full of energy and excitement! In 2024, 208 naked men will run around the city, and the number of spectators will reach approximately 28,000.

Access: A special bus operates from Surisawa Station to Ohara Bus Center. Travel time: approx. 15 minutes.

In addition to the events we have introduced, there are many other seasonal events held, so be sure to check them out!

Click here for monthly events

mochi culture

Mochizen: Enjoy a variety of flavors. (Image provided by Ichinoseki City Official Tourism Site "Ichi Tabi!")

In the Ichinoseki and Hiraizumi areas, eating mochi has long been a tradition at celebratory occasions. In Japan, ozōni is a common dish eaten on New Year's Day, but here there are more than 300 different ways to eat mochi! Be sure to try out the different flavors! Also, Ichinoseki holds the National Mochi Festival every year. You can enjoy mochi dishes from all over the country, so be sure to come along!

We also sell travel packages that allow you to fully enjoy mochi culture. Click here to participate!

Click here for the product page

Ichinoseki City has a lot to offer!

What did you think? There's plenty to see, experience, and eat along the JR Ōfunato Line. Come and enjoy the charms of the JR Ōfunato Line!

*The information in this article is current as of October 2024.

Written by

Ōfunato Line Revitalization Project Council

Iwate

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