Tono, Rural heritage town in Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Tono is a city in Iwate Prefecture covering a wide river floodplain surrounded by mountains. The landscape consists of rice paddies, forested hills and scattered villages cut by streams.
Archaeological finds confirm settlement since the Jomon period several thousand years ago. In the 11th century the area became a battleground during the Early Nine-Years War.
The name translates to 'distant field' and reflects its position between inland mountains. Folklore stories collected here shaped perceptions of rural mysticism throughout Japan and remain alive in several small museums and cultural sites.
Regional trains connect the city to larger stations in the prefecture, and rental bicycles are available near the main train station. Local buses run several times daily and cover central attractions and rural hamlets.
A small pond near a temple is dedicated to kappa, water-dwelling figures from local legends described as turtle-like beings. Visitors leave small cucumbers at the shrine since tradition holds these are the favorite food of kappa.
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