Iwate's Mountains and Michinoku Sea Breeze Trail - A journey to experience nature, culture and life - Iwate Prefecture is an area with a variety of mountainous topography, with the Kitakami Mountains spreading to the east and the Ou Mountains towering to the west. These mountains have been deeply connected to people's lives since ancient times, and have been passed down as places of worship and nurturing a rich ecosystem. The charm of Iwate's mountains lies in their diversity. The Kitakami Mountains are a series of gentle mountains with an altitude of about 1,000m, and are characterized by a primeval landscape with beech forests and alpine plants. Mt. Hayachine is a treasure trove of alpine plants, where the endemic species Hayachineusyukisou blooms, and has been revered as an object of worship since ancient times. On the other hand, the Ou Mountains are higher in altitude, and are a series of famous peaks such as Mt. Iwate and Mt. Akita Komagatake, which have been affected by volcanic activity, and are also an area where you can enjoy dynamic volcanic topography and hot springs. In autumn, the mountains are covered in red leaves, and in winter, the harsh yet beautiful snowscape spreads across the land, captivating climbers with its changing seasonal faces. On the Michinoku Sea Breeze Trail that runs along the Sanriku coast, you can experience the lifestyles of fishing towns, the progress of recovery from the tsunami, and Sanriku's food culture, all while admiring the majestic Pacific Ocean. You can walk through the spectacular scenery of the ria coast and experience the blessings of nature and the daily lives of the people. The land of Iwate is woven together by the mountains, the sea, and the lives of the people. Why not go on a trip to experience the nature, culture, and lifestyle that can only be experienced here?