A costal area on the Pacific Ocean in north-east Japan, this prefecture contains a lot of history and culture, including the World Heritage Site "Hiraizumi" and Tono, often called “the birthplace of Japanese folklore.” The natural beauty wonders found at destinations like the volcanic rock rhyolite “forests” of Jōdogahama and the sheer precipices of Geibikei Gorge, some over 100m (330ft) tall are world class.