In 1591, a man who would become a legendary samurai daimyo came to settle in this small village. Masamune Date, nicknamed The One-Eyed Dragon, received these lands from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the unifier of Japan. Masamune established his castle here, named it Iwadeyama, and turned the area into a prosperous economic base. He later moved on to found Sendai City, leaving his fourth son behind as ruler of the Iwadeyama Date. Their descendants married wives from a noble family from Kyoto, a cultural influence that can be felt until this day. Because of this historical connection and aesthetic similarities, some call Iwadeyama “Elegant Little Kyoto.”

Iwadeyama is visited by many domestic and foreign travelers, who come to enjoy the area’s samurai heritage. All of the historical sites mentioned below are within walking distance of each other and the train station, making for a delightful and educational stroll.

A common starting point is the former samurai villa, Yubikan, and its traditional garden. This place used to be an educational institution and a retirement villa for the elite; now it’s a nationally designated historic site. Adjacent to it is a beautiful park called Yubikan no Mori.