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Sakunami Station
Originally, the Senzan Line was divided into the Senzan East Line on the Miyagi Prefecture side and the Senzan West Line on the Yamagata Prefecture side. Sakunami Station was built in 1931 as the new last stop of the Senzan East Line, and a turntable was installed to change the direction of the locomotives. In 1937, the entire line went into operation. The Sakunami–Yamadera connection was the first in Tohoku to use direct current to power its locomotives, while the Sendai–Sakunami connection was designated as a test site for alternating current. In 1957, Sakunami Station became the starting point of Japan’s first commercial railway operating on alternating current. Considering its history, the station was certified as a civil engineering heritage site by recommendation of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers in 2014, and it continues to be a proud part of Japan's railway heritage on the world stage.
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Kamakura Mountain(Gorilla Mountain)
With an elevation of 520m, this mountain is shaped like an upended bowl. Depending on the angle from which it is viewed, it has the appearance of a gorilla's face in profile, which is why it is also lovingly referred to as "Gorilla Mountain." Its expression changes with the seasons: from the fresh green of spring, to the fiery colors of fall, and the snow white of winter. Located on the slopes of Kamakura Mountain, Amanuma is famous for a legend from the Later Three-Years War. After receiving an arrow wound to his right eye, Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa, a military commander, is said to have cleansed his wound there.
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Homei Shijuhachi Falls
Near the confluence of the Hirose River's main current and the Nikkawa River flowing from the southwest, waterfalls of various sizes emit a sound similar to the cries of the mythical phoenix, which is where the falls get their name (homei = "phoenix's cry"). The many waterfalls cascade down in tiers among the trees, with Kamakura Mountain rising in the background, as though nature were painting a landscape scroll of its own scenery. The many faces of the falls seen during different seasons throughout the year are also fascinating.
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Nikka Whisky Sendai Distillery
Nikka's distillery for unblended whisky is located in a beautiful brick building standing in the middle of a valley. Surrounded by two clear rivers, the Hirose and Nikkawa, the dense forests produce clean, humid air which protects the barrels in the cellars from drying out and seals in the rich aromas. The distillery produces malt whisky and grain whisky used in products such as Single Malt Miyagikyo and Super Nikka. In addition to free guided tours, you can also enjoy paid, limited events and purchase souvenirs and whisky from the gift shop.
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Iwayado Anayakushi
After climbing a tree-covered road, you come upon a cave carved into a cliff face which houses a shrine to a wooden representation of the Eastern Bhaisajyaguru, or healing Buddha. Standing before the Buddha, you are enveloped by a mysterious spiritual energy. The story of Iwayado Anayakushi tells that there once was an uncle who loved his niece, and he dug out the cave in order to gain permission to marry her. Although they were happily married, the niece died, and the uncle finished the cave with the prayer that no woman should die in childbirth. To this day, many couples visit the cave to pray for safe childbirth and to swear their undying love.
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Nikkawa Shrine
It is said that long ago, the gods of Ishima Mountain in Shimogo village, Watari District, moved to Hayasaka Mountain near the Nikkawa River and became the local gods of the Nikkawa region. These gods were originally called Watari Daigongen, or the Great Buddhas of Watari. At the end of the Meiji era, the enshrined deities were enshrined together at Akiu Shrine, but due to the consolidation of the Nikkawa settlement into Miyagi village, in 1959 (Showa 34) the spirits of the shintai were split from Akiu Shrine and it became Nikkawa Shrine. Currently, two gods—the god of the harvest and the god of the mountains—are enshrined there, protected by a parent-child pair of guardian lion-dogs.
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Sakunamikaido Shukubamachi
During the Edo period, "Sakunamishuku" was a post station town with about 15 inns standing side-by-side along the main road from Sendai toward Sekiyama Pass (the pass between Sendai and Higashine, Yamagata). There, the Sakunami Guardhouse served as a checkpoint at the border of the Sendai Domain, controlling the large flow of people and goods between Sendai and Yamagata. Although there are no traces of the guardhouse today, visitors will find a sign indicating the site of the Sakunami, Sendai Domain border guardhouse. Additionally, every year, for one day in February, an event is held at which snow lanterns are lit all along the street passing through the site of the post station town.
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Plaza Lasanta
The Sakunami Onsen area, also known as "the holy land for lovers", has free foot baths (closed during winter) and shops where you can buy local products. Near the foot baths is the "bathing jizo of love", which is said to give blessings to those who pour hot spring water over it and pray for love (also found at Yugami Shrine and 5 ryokans). Inside Lasanta, a tourist information plaza, visitors will find Albero Cafe, known for its vegetarian rice bowl (Buddha bowl) made with only the freshest vegetables, its panini sandwiches, as well as its selection of desserts and drinks. The cafe is loved by visitors from near and far, as is Lasanta itself.
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Yugami Shrine
Here is enshrined the white snake which is the god of hot water at Yosenkaku Iwamatsu Ryokan. It is said to be a power spot which offers blessings for marriage, children and safe childbirth, business success, and good health. In January, people come from far and wide to join the "Donto Festival". To the left of the main shrine stands the "heart-mark tree", a tree with a heart-shaped hollow. Among the many places within Sakunami Onsen, the "holy land for lovers", this tree is a particularly popular spot for lovers to visit.
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Hiraga Kokeshi Shop
Sakunami kokeshi have been made for 150 years since the end of the Edo period by generations of artisans in Sakunami Onsen. Hiraga Kokeshi Shop is the only remaining kokeshi workshop in Sakunami Onsen. The store is lined with a variety of pieces, from traditional Sakunami kokeshi characterized by slim bodies and a crab-chrysanthemum pattern, to modern pieces with cute designs preferred by younger customers. In addition to buying Sakunami kokeshi, you can also gain a deeper appreciation of kokeshi by observing the artisans at work, or by trying your hand at painting a design yourself.