A 4.3-kilometer circular route, walking trails around Tobiyama Pond, and historical topics at Unohana-kan give Katayamazu several distinct facets. The places described here are in Ishihama: the circular route passes two rivers, the old town center, and rice fields; at Tobiyama Pond, woodland paths and the annual release of seeds for prickly water lilies add to the experience. Unohana-kan complements these natural and local features with collections and an exhibition. This gives you a choice of different focuses as you plan your trip: exploring the town, nature, or in-depth history.
Explore Ishihama on a Circular Route
The Ishihama circular route is 4.3 kilometers long. It runs alongside the Myotokuji River and the Mametsuki River, through the old town center, and past rice fields. The route brings together riverbanks, the town center, and the surrounding agricultural landscape. If you would like to get to know the area on foot, the route’s length is a practical guide for planning your day. You can experience the trail as a continuous walk through the town: the old center and rice fields are also part of the route, along with the rivers.
Walking Trails and Prickly Water Lilies at Tobiyama Pond
The woodland around Tobiyama Pond has walking trails and offers visitors the chance to experience nature. One distinctive natural feature here is the prickly water lily: each year, seeds from the pond are released into Tobiyama Pond in the Ishihama district for prickly water lilies in Odai Park. Growth of the prickly water lily was confirmed there in 2014. This topic includes both an annual activity and a specifically dated observation. The woodland paths and plant growth offer two different ways to appreciate the pond: you can experience it as a natural area or learn about the water lily’s history.
Historical Collections at Unohana-kan
Unohana-kan in Ishihama collects and preserves finds from shell mounds and old kilns in Higashiura, as well as historical documents and everyday objects. These collections are displayed and made accessible to the public. The permanent exhibition introduces Odai no Kata, the mother of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the Mizuno clan. The clan ruled Ogawa Castle in the 16th century and rose from Higashiura to become daimyĹŤ across the country. The exhibition thus combines the story of an individual with the history of a clan; the collections complement these topics with documents, archaeological finds, and everyday objects. Check with Unohana-kan for current exhibition details and visitor arrangements before your visit.
An Uncertain Date for the Festival
The origins of the festival at the Inari Shrine in Ishihama are also a topic in local history, but remain uncertain. The year 1651 inscribed on horse tack suggests that the festival began in the early Edo period. This timeframe is a hypothesis, not a confirmed date. While the exhibition at Unohana-kan introduces specific historical figures and a clan, the festival raises an open question about its beginnings.
The main difference when choosing what to focus on is how you explore: the circular route takes you through Ishihama on a continuous 4.3-kilometer walk; at Tobiyama Pond, the focus is on woodland paths and an annual plant project; and Unohana-kan offers exhibitions and collections. If you are interested in history, the uncertain origins of the festival offer a different perspective from the people and historical objects presented at the museum.
Discover more destinations: Toyohashi, GamagĹŤri, Higashiura, Kariya, Kasugai, Nishio, ĹŚbu, Shinshiro
For the main travel overview: Aichi Prefecture.
