Kesen district

Kesen is an administrative district in southeastern Iwate Prefecture containing the town of Sumita as its sole municipality. Dense mountain forests dominate the landscape and cover most of the area.

The district was established in 1878 as an administrative unit following the Meiji Restoration, which reorganized Japan's administrative structure. This formation was part of Japan's transformation into a modern governance system.

The dialect spoken here reflects local language traditions that differ from standard Japanese. You will notice these speech patterns when talking with residents.

This is a forested region, so prepare for uneven terrain and limited accessibility on some paths. Visiting during warmer months offers better conditions for exploring.

The town hall of Sumita was built using materials from the local municipal forests, showcasing regional craftsmanship. This building shows how the community is connected to its forest resources.

Location: Iwate Prefecture

Inception: November 26, 1878

Shares border with: Rikuzentakata, Kamaishi, Ofunato, Ōshū, Ichinoseki

GPS coordinates: 39.17600,141.53500

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:54