Morioka, Hanamaki, and Hiraizumi
I visited Northern Japan in Autumn of 2015. In Northern Japan the trees in the countryside where changing to autumn colors. The spectrum was green, yellow, orange, red, and dark red almost purple. Really gorgeous, and the sun peaked out causing the leaf colors to glow.
As we walked around Morioka, we visited the ruins of the town castle in a nice park. Only the walls of the castle remain, but they are still impressive. Despite it being a cloudy day the sun peeked out and the autumn colors seemed to glow if only for a short time. Then we went to a beautiful garden at the Morioka community hall, but was once the house of Lord Nambu. The on to a scenic overlook of the city with a statue to a noted poet at the overlook.
In Kakunodate we visited the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum (built around 1570 AD). The area is known for its samurai heritage. His manor house was set up as a small museum with his swords and armor as well as his books and household goods. While we were walking back we saw some Geishas which posed for some pictures under the beautifully colored trees as we were having our afternoon tea break.
In Hanamaki we took a nice hike through a forest to a waterfall.
Chuson-ji temple: The temple complex was built in the 12th century and rebuilt after a fire in the 14th century. There is a very interesting museum which had some artifacts from the family that dedicated the temple. There is also a golden temple with an incredible altar.
Read MoreAs we walked around Morioka, we visited the ruins of the town castle in a nice park. Only the walls of the castle remain, but they are still impressive. Despite it being a cloudy day the sun peeked out and the autumn colors seemed to glow if only for a short time. Then we went to a beautiful garden at the Morioka community hall, but was once the house of Lord Nambu. The on to a scenic overlook of the city with a statue to a noted poet at the overlook.
In Kakunodate we visited the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum (built around 1570 AD). The area is known for its samurai heritage. His manor house was set up as a small museum with his swords and armor as well as his books and household goods. While we were walking back we saw some Geishas which posed for some pictures under the beautifully colored trees as we were having our afternoon tea break.
In Hanamaki we took a nice hike through a forest to a waterfall.
Chuson-ji temple: The temple complex was built in the 12th century and rebuilt after a fire in the 14th century. There is a very interesting museum which had some artifacts from the family that dedicated the temple. There is also a golden temple with an incredible altar.
