Mitsuishi Shrine
三ツ石神社
Legend says a demon pressed its handprint into a huge boulder, vowing to stop causing trouble. The name of Iwate Prefecture and the Morioka Sansō Odori both originate from this tale.
The grounds of Mitsuishi Shrine contain three huge boulders encircled by shimenawa ropes, said to have been flung from Mount Iwate during an eruption. In ancient times, a demon ran amok. People prayed to the god of the three stones, and the god bound the demon to a rock. The demon promised to stop causing trouble and left a handprint on the stone, which gave rise to the name “Iwate” (meaning “rock hand”). Relieved villagers danced around the stone, which is said to be the origin of the Morioka Sansō Odori. Admission is free. Located beside Tōken-ji Temple, it is about a 10-minute walk from Hoonji and can be visited together with it.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Hoonji Temple
- Ishiwarizakura
- Konyacho & Nakatsu River
- Iwate Bank Red Brick Building
- Morioka History and Culture Museum
- Azumaya Honten (Wanko Soba)
- Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Museum
- Morioka Castle Ruins Park