Hiraniwa Highland, Iwate Prefecture
Hiraniwa Highland Leaves Swaying High in the Birches
At Hiraniwa Highland, I want to keep taking in the forest where white trunks overlap. In June, when the leaves are fresh and green, I'd like to get out of the car and take a moment to listen to them rustle. I'm curious, too, about the local Japanese Shorthorn dishes served up here.
Here’s a late-morning trip in early June, with a few highlights along the way. Pick the moment that catches your eye, and come explore with me.
SummerEarly June, late morning
Leaves Swaying High in the Birches
As I drove toward Hiraniwa Highland, white trunks began to appear one after another. I'd come for the fresh green leaves, but even through the car window, the patterns on the trunks caught my eye. Before crossing the mountains and moving on, I planned to stop and take my time looking at the birches. I was glad I'd planned a break.
When I parked and walked over to a spot with a view of the trees, I heard leaves rustling above me. I rolled up the sleeves of my white blouse a little and adjusted my bag strap. A cluster of small leaves swayed in the breeze overhead. I wanted to stay right there, watching them sway.
The thick trunks nearby and the slender ones farther back seemed to overlap. Birches aren't just white; their bark has all kinds of black patterns too. I figured the closest trunk would help show how the forest continued into the distance. Before taking out my phone, I looked around for a moment and decided which trunks I wanted in the frame.
When I looked up after finishing my photos, I heard the leaves again. I was in the same spot, but every gust changed the way the light fell. I held the hem of my mint-green skirt in place and decided to stay just a little longer. It made me happy to linger beside the trees, where the air felt cool.
June is also the season to look for the highland's Japanese azaleas. After the birches, I want to make time to look for the flowers too. And if I can stop for a meal at Hiraniwa Sanso, I'd like to order one of their Japanese Shorthorn beef dishes. I'd take in the forest, enjoy a meal, and then get back on the road. It'd be a shame to just pass through this highland.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
A local specialty I'm curious to try
Local Japanese Shorthorn Beef
Hiraniwa Sanso has dishes made with local Japanese Shorthorn beef. After taking in the birch forest, I'd like to choose one of those dishes for my meal up on the highland.
Highlights
Layers of Birch Trunks
The highland sits partway up Mount Hiraniwa. I want to take in the fresh green forest, comparing the nearby trunks with the ones farther back.
Early Summer on the Highland
It's the season for fresh green birch leaves and Japanese azaleas. Even after I finished taking photos, I wanted to stay by the trees a little longer, listening to the leaves and watching the light shift.
Road and location info
Hiraniwa Highland and the area around National Route 281
- Estimated drive time from Kunohe IC
- 30 minutes
- Highland elevation
- 800m
I'd like to make a detour to see the birch forest and early-summer flowers.
The drive from Kunohe IC takes about 30 minutes, and the highland is at 800 m. I plan to leave time for a break to take in the forest.
More Spot Guides
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