Motoyoshi town stretches 13km along the Rias coast of Tohoku. The town was originally created from 4 smaller villages, each of which retains its own distinct atmosphere.

Oya is a wonderful beach town.  The school is known for having a notoriously strong soccer team.

Tsuya is the main town area of Motoyoshi. This is where you’ll find the main businesses, the BOE and the ALTs.  This is also where most of the highlights listed on this page are located.  There is a nice library in the community center (the same building as the BOE). 

Magome is a farming district where you can try your hand at milking cows and making butter. The main highlight here is Mooland (pronounced mo-rando in Japanese), an outdoor family farm fun center which also has the prefectures largest roller slide.

The fourth and smallest village is Koizumi – Koizumi is a cute little town with wonderful people.   Routes 346 and 45 run through Motoyoshi and Kesennuma line train stops at Tsuya, Koizumi and Oya.

Shopping
Super Katahamaya-  The grocery store of Motoyoshi.  You will be here a lot, and will see many of students as well.  Conveniently has a flower shop, dry cleaning, and alcohol shop all in one.

Restaurants
Gempei- A ramen shop.  If you happen to order out during lunchtime at work, there's a good chance it's coming from here.  Great Miso Ramen.  Some manga on the shelf to give you something to read while you are waiting for your noodles to come.  Also serves some good curry rice as well.

Endo Sushi- A sushi restaurant next to Katahamaya supermarket.  They serve everything here, not just sushi.  The katsudon (fried pork & egg over rice) is amazing.  My Japanese kyoto sensei said if it was in Tokyo, it would cost 2000 yen.  Lucky for you, it's only 800 yen here.  You will have an enkai here at some point.

Takasou- A great drinking spot in the 'downtown' of Tsuya.  Used to be a meat shop and was converted into a izakaya/restaurant.  They still serve primarily meat (tonkatsu, yakitori, yakiniku, etc), but they also have some good tofu dishes as well.  The owner is a friendly guy who enjoys some new patrons.  Be aware: if it's your first time, he will call his son and hand you the phone to test his son's English ability.

Isamiya-Home of the infamous Oshima Manju.  This is regarded, amongst the locals, as the premier place to buy sweets.  Try the matcha moshi, it’s delicious.


Not in Motoyoshi, but close enough:
Aimaki- This place is about 5 minutes southwest of Motoyoshi on route 346 in Iwate prefecture and is highly recommended.  It looks like a log cabin on the side of the road.  The owner has done some traveling around Asia as the foods served here represent.  There is a little Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, etc.  Saturday evenings are candle light nights, if you are looking for a romantic evening with that special someone ;)