|
The broad valley northeast of Tono is home to a number of somewhat touristy "folk villages" aimed at preserving the old crafts. It's worth visiting one of these, of which the new Furusato-mura is probably the best, though the smaller Densho-en and Sui-koen are slightly more accessible. Other sights to aim for include a kappa pool, an old watermill and a temple housing Japan's tallest Kannon statue. However, the area's chief highlight is the scenery dotted with the occasional thatched farmhouse - it's best to get a bike and just follow the country lanes. The main road northeast of Tono (Route 340) leads past Densho-en (daily 9am-5pm; Y300), located about 4km out of town. This village museum contains various buildings relocated from around Tono, including a waterwheel, storehouses and a magariya , where local folk demonstrate weaving, rope-making and other crafts. Inside the magariya , follow the narrow corridor at the back to a small shrine room filled with brightly dressed dolls. These are images of Oshira-sama, an agricultural deity worshipped throughout northern Honshu. They're stick-like figures, their faces either drawn on or simply carved, and are made from mulberry; according to the legends, Tono's original Oshira-sama came from the same tree on which the horse-husband died . The deities, often used by blind mediums, are also supposed to predict the future - hence all the prayer papers tied around the shrine. Densho-en is one of the few places which is feasible by local bus. Services depart every hour or so from Tono Station and drop you either at the village or 100m further back at the Ashiarai-gawa stop (15-20min; Y290). A short distance east along the main road from Densho-en, a signposted right turn leads to Joken-jio . Founded in 1490, the temple is mainly of interest for its statue of Obinzuru-sama, a little figure in a cloak and hat with a very shiny anatomy - the deity is supposed to cure illnesses if rubbed in the appropriate place. Behind the temple there's a kappa pool , with a particularly helpful kappa who is credited with dousing a fire in Joken-ji. An eccentric local has built a small shrine to himself beside the pool and may well regale you with incomprehensible but good-natured stories.
Your Tip for Northeast of Tono
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Northeast of Tono - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Northeast of Tono - visit the main Northeast of Tono forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Northeast of Tono webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
