Kitakami, City in Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Kitakami sits in the river valley of central Iwate, spreading across gentle plains between forested hills. The city follows the course of the river, with residential neighborhoods and rice paddies extending from the banks toward the first rises.
The area served as a fortress for Emishi leader Aterui before the Abe clan took control during the Heian period. During the Sengoku era the Nanbu clan assumed governance, shaping the region until the Meiji Restoration.
The Michinoku Performing Arts Festival gathers dance troupes from across the Tohoku region each year, with performances taking place between temples, plazas and the riverfront. Dancers in demon masks perform the Onikenbai, an ancient sword dance representing guardian spirits that has been passed down through generations in villages around the city.
Kitakami Station sits on the Tohoku Shinkansen line with hourly connections to Tokyo, the journey takes about three hours. The downtown area is walkable, and bicycles or local buses are handy for reaching temples and parks along the river.
Tenshochi Park ranks among the three major cherry blossom sites in Tohoku with more than 10,000 trees forming a continuous pink canopy over the riverbank in spring. Local families spread blankets beneath the branches and enjoy hanami picnics while lanterns illuminate the blossoms in the evening.
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