Genbikei Gorge As we leave Takkoku no Iwaya, we drive just another 8 km southwest to reach the picturesque Genbikei Gorge (still in Iwate Prefecture). The best way to enjoy this place is to take a walk along the wild, stony Iwai River down to the Goranba Bridge a few hundred metres away, being careful not to encounter any bears (there are many bear-warning signs all over the place), cross over the bridge, come back along the other side. After returning, you can reward yoursel

Day 1: Chuson-ji Temple After saying goodbye to Morioka, we drive over an hour south to reach Hiraizumi, a historical “gem” on the road to Sendai. Having heard of the Golden Hall (“Konjikido”) - and its golden statues - at the Chuson-ji Temple, I really wanted to see this place for myself. I hadn’t realised that this town was going to unravel much more to us than just this majestic Buddhist site. We were also going to discover the serene Temple of Motsu-ji as well as the embe