Visit the Tono Heritage Sites,

recognized as one of the Top 100

Destination Sustainability Stories

for 2024.

Visit the Tono Heritage Sites,

recognized as one of the Top 100

Destination Sustainability Stories

for 2024.

Tono Heritage

What is Tono Heritage?

In October 2024, Tono City in Iwate Prefecture was selected as one of the "2024 Top 100 Destinations Sustainability Stories" At the heart of this recognition is the "Tono Heritage." Tono Heritage refers to the efforts of local communities to discover and utilize cultural assets such as shrines, historical sites, ancient trees, waterfalls, stone monuments, annual events, and traditional performing arts, all of which have strong local significance.

Started in 2007, the "Tono Heritage Recognition System" is unique because it focuses on bottom-up involvement from local communities, rather than the top-down approach seen with national or prefectural cultural heritage designations. Tono Heritage is a successful story on community- driven efforts, protecting and promoting heritage to attract tourists who appreciate cultural and natural treasures.

By 2024, 169 sites had been certified as Tono Heritage, and 91 organizations continue to manage them today. The project has not only succeeded in cultural preservation but also revitalized the local community.

Breakdown of
Tono Heritage

For those looking to enjoy a unique journey beyond the standard tourist routes of Tono, we present a model tour of Tono Heritage. Visiting these sites offers a chance to discover the history and culture cherished by the locals, leading to a journey of discoveries.

Tangible
83
Intangible
33
Nature
14
Composite
39
Total169

Recommended Route

Route 01
Mythology of Tono
A route following the legend of the princess gods of the three mountains of Tono, the opening episode of “The Legends of Tono” (1910, Kunio Yanagita). Enjoy a scenic drive through the vast Tono area, and if you have time, we recommend heading up to the Arakawa Plateau for a bird’s-eye view of Tono’s landscape.
認定番号14
Izu Shrine
認定番号 57
Kami-wakare Shrine
認定番号 54
Ishigami Shrine
認定番号114
Rokkoshi Shrine
認定番号 88
Hayachine: The Ancient Mountain Trail
Learn more

Photo by Cultural Division of Tono City

Route 02
Castle Ruins Tour
Walk through the castle relocations carried out by the Asonuma clan, who ruled medieval Tono. Cross the Sarukaishi River, Hayase River, and Rainai River, traveling from mountain to mountain across the Tono Basin. Be sure to stop by the monument to Lady Seishin, the wise ruler of the Nanbu clan who governed Tono after the Asonuma clan.
認定番号 96
Yokota Castle Ruins and the Higan Cherry Blossom and Mountain Cherry Trees
認定番号 84
Monuments to the Asonuma Clan Leaders
認定番号 86
Monument to Lady Seishin
認定番号 77
Kamo Shrine and the Sacred Cherry Tree
認定番号 63
Nabekura Castle Ruins
Learn more
Route 03
The Birthplace of
Storytellers
The Yamaguchi settlement, where goods and people actively passed through the Fuefuki Pass and Sakaigi Pass, gave rise to numerous hyohakukiri (storytellers). Surrounded by Dan-no-Hana and Dendera-no, experience this microcosm where life and death exist side by side.
認定番号 9
Yamaguchi Watermill
認定番号 58
Yamaguchi Yakushido
認定番号 65
Dannohana and Sasaki Kizen's Cemetery
認定番号 21
Yamaguchi Denderano
認定番号 117
Yamaguchi Sansa Dance
(Performed during festivals and events)
Learn more
Route 04
Spiritual Healing
and Power
From Tono's most photogenic and popular tourist spots to hidden spiritual sites known only to a few, this golden course offers a journey full of energy and tranquility. The elevation changes from rivers to mountains provide a dynamic shift in scenery, making the experience even more enjoyable. You can also witness how the local community carefully maintains Tono Heritage.
認定番号 145
Unedori Shrine
認定番号 158
Monument of Chosaku Embankment and Its Surroundings
認定番号 144
Atago Shrine of Niisato
認定番号 162
Monument of Chosaku Embankment and Its Surroundings
認定番号 146
Hodobora Inari Shrine and Its Surroundings
Learn more

Column

The Story of Tono Heritage and
the Local Community
In October 2024, the news that Tono City in Iwate Prefecture has earned the area recognition as one of the "2024 Top 100 Destinations Sustainability Stories" captured the attention of many people. At the heart of this recognition was Tono City’s unique initiative, the Tono Heritage Certification System. This system not only focuses on the preservation of cultural properties but has also successfully revitalized the local community. The foundation of this success lies in the cultural capital that the people of Tono have built up over generations.
What is Tono Heritage?
Tono Heritage refers to the efforts of local communities to discover and utilize cultural assets such as shrines, historical sites, ancient trees, waterfalls, stone monuments, annual events, and traditional performing arts, all of which have strong local significance. Since the system was established in 2007, the number of certified heritage sites has grown to 169, with 91 organizations currently managing these sites. Considering that Tono’s population is around 23,000, this is a remarkable achievement.

What makes this system unique is that, unlike national or prefectural heritage designations, it places importance on the initiative of the local community. Residents are encouraged to discover and actively preserve and utilize cultural and natural heritage, creating a system in which the cultural assets are not just the “heritage of the past,” but also a “catalyst” for building the future of the region.
The idea behind the Tono Heritage
Recognition System
Treasures (cultural assets) to be protected by citizen
The Local Community and
The Legends of Tono
The strength of the local community supporting Tono Heritage is deeply rooted in Tono’s traditions. A symbolic work in this regard is ”The Legends of Tono” (1910, Kunio Yanagita). This collection of folklore passed down in Tono, was compiled into a book with both literary and folklore value, forming the roots of the region’s identity.

Not all of the Tono Heritage sites are directly related to the places or events recorded in “The Legends of Tono”, and in fact, there are fewer overlaps than one might expect. However, the existence of “The Legends of Tono” has played a crucial role in cultivating the awareness to preserve and transmit the local treasures, contributing to a sense of pride within the community.
The Power of Bottom-Up
Initiatives
Another key feature of Tono Heritage is that the system has been driven by a bottom-up approach from the community. While the Cultural Division of Tono City manages the system, the budget for community activities comes from the Citizen Collaboration Division. This means that Tono Heritage is supported not only by the framework of cultural property protection but also by a framework for community revitalization.

For example, activities to protect natural heritage such as ancient trees and waterfalls involve local people who regularly conduct cleaning activities or serve as guides for tourists. In addition, initiatives to preserve local performing arts and traditional events have seen active participation from younger generations in the community. Through these activities, interactions between residents have deepened, and the entire community has become more vibrant.
The Future of Tono Heritage
The Tono Heritage initiative is a model case of preserving local cultural assets while connecting them to the future. When visiting Tono, explore Tono Heritage and experience the stories and activities that the local community has cherished over time. It will be more than just a tour of historical sites—it will be an experience of discovering ways to connect culture to the future.
Written by: Daisuke Sasaki (Tono Heritage Certification Investigation Committee)
For more information about efforts towards sustainable tourism,
please contact Tono Furusato Shosha Co., Ltd. (DMO).
Contact us All Tono Heritage Sites(Japanese)