Gyutan (beef tongue) is one of the specialties of the region, so I made sure to sample all the different chains.Statue of Date Masamune, the founder himself. His lineage remains unbroken and his descendants remain active in cultural work in Morioka.It appears his family really liked the black+gold motif, along with really bright colors.Someone actually bothered to make this squadron of snow ducks. It was delightful.Apparently bear attacks have been a problem this year, particularly around Iwate prefecture. We saw bear signs everywhere north of Tokyo.One of the gyutan chains, Rikyu, has... an Italian offshoot? 'Rikyu Cucina.' Go figure.
