The legacy of the Fujiwara clan rests in Iwate, where the temple of Chusonji can be found; a place with notably sophisticated design for its time, Chusonji is truly a standing artifact. Just outside of Chusonji lies Genbikei, a gorge that famous lords have deemed beautiful, flowing with running waters and surrounded by uniquely shaped rocks. Takkoku-no-Iwaya, built within a cave, conceals the history of the Yamato people’s conquest of the indigenous tribes of the Tohoku region. Of course, the mountainous geography of Tohoku is plentiful, and Hanamaki Onsen, a fabled hot spring town, is also a highlight of the region.
