Tono: Castle Town History, Folktales and Books

Tono offers several ways to explore its history and culture: a large medieval castle complex, museums about the former castle town, folktales and a book-focused cultural facility. There are also Nabekura Park and a shrine with views over the city. If you are considering whether Tono is right for your vacation, you can use these varied interests as a guide—from historic sites to books and stories.

Castle Town History on Mount Nabekura

The Nabekura Castle Site lies on the southern edge of the city, on 344-meter-high Mount Nabekura. The medieval mountain castle is large and consists of several sections; on March 20, 2023, the site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan. Its location, elevation and layout make it a prominent historical landmark for anyone interested in castles and Tono's history.

The Tōno Castle Town Museum complements this perspective with an account of Tono's history and culture as a prosperous castle town during the Edo period. Exhibits include clothing and weapons belonging to the Tōno Nanbu family, as well as household items. The museum also covers the castle town's street layout and defensive structures, including hook-shaped streets and masugata enclosures. Those interested in urban history not only through individual objects but also through street patterns and defenses will find a different perspective here than at the castle site itself.

The storytelling tradition also has its own dedicated focus: the Tōno Folktale Museum presents Tono's folktales and culture through audio and video. It is housed in a former sake brewery that has been converted for this purpose. The former Kōzen Ryokan, also known as Ryōō-juku, now houses the Yanagita-Kunio Exhibition Hall and is registered as a nationally designated tangible cultural property. These two places bring together different aspects of cultural heritage: oral storytelling and a former inn that now houses an exhibition hall.

Books, a Park and Views

Kodomohon no Mori Tōno is a book-focused cultural facility on the site of the former Mitaya. The exterior of Mitaya, founded in 1900, has been faithfully recreated. The books are arranged by 13 themes, including picture books, children's and young adult literature, early children's stories, reference books, photo collections, art books and books from abroad. The collection thus ranges from stories for young readers to nonfiction and illustrated books. The facility, operated by the City of Tōno, is open to everyone without a reservation.

If you would also like to visit a park between cultural sites, Nabekura Park is a popular recreation spot for local residents. The park is known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Nambu Shrine is located halfway up Mount Nabekura and offers views over Tōno City. The park and shrine appeal to different interests: the former is known as a place to relax and for its spring blossoms, while the latter is notable for its hillside location and views of the city.

At the Tōno Municipal Museum, you can research field information, relevant books and field maps related to Tōno. This complements the exhibitions and historic sites with an option focused on your own reading and map resources. So when deciding whether Tono suits your vacation interests, there is more to explore than the history of the castle town: books, folktales, a park and city views each offer a distinct thematic introduction.

More destinations

More destinations: Ofunato, Kamaishi, Miyako, Iwaizumi, Ichinoseki, Rikuzentakata, Kitakami, Morioka.

For the main travel overview: Iwate Prefecture.