Tokoyo-no-Sato was a legendary village.

Hanawa Town is nestled among the Okukuji Mountains in southern Fukushima Prefecture.
It is a quiet mountain town, but it is said that in ancient times, during the Heian period, it was called "Tokoyo no Sato" (the Land of Tokoyo).
"Tokoyo" refers to an ideal land where abundance lasts forever: crystal clear streams, deep, sprawling forests, and earth that yields bountiful harvests.
This land, far removed from the capital, may indeed have been such a paradise.
And in this Land of Tokoyo, another story remains: the legend of Hachimantaro Yoshiie.

The Legend of Hachiman Taro Yoshiie.

More than 900 years ago, Hachiman-taro Yoshiie (Minamoto no Yoshiie) was deployed to Hagurosan in Hanawa Town by imperial order.

Believing the death of his young samurai attendant, Genpachi, was the work of a dragon living in the lake, he dispatched it with a thousand arrows.

However, young samurai Genpachi was found in a different location, unrelated to the dragon. Driven by remorse, Lord Yoshiie built a temple to mourn the dragon.

Dragon Slaying Story

Where legends live on.

It is said that Genpachi-san Ryutakuji Temple was founded by Hachimantaro Yoshiie.

Furthermore, place names in Hanawa-machi such as Akaoka, Akasaka, Senbon, Jagashira, Tokoyo Kitano, Tokoyo Nakano, and Eryuda are also said to derive from Lord Yoshiie's dragon slaying.

The legend of Hachimantaro Yoshiie is an indispensable story when talking about Hanawa-machi.

The Eternal Land continues.

Hanawa Town was likely called "Tokoyo no Sato" (the Everlasting Land) due to its rich natural environment.
The clear streams of the Kuji River system flowing through the town. Mountains that change their appearance with the four seasons.
The sky that the young Hachiman Taro Yoshiie must have seen long ago. The sound of the river he must have heard. The breath of the forest he must have felt.
Transcending time, the story of Tokoyo no Sato continues in Hanawa Town.