One day, a Buddhist priest stayed in Mitsuke Shrine. He had been traveling around the whole country. At midnight, some creatures came to meet and made noise. They were singing, "Never let Hayatarou know Shinshu." (Shinshu is present-day Nagano prefecture). The priest could not sleep and could not understand their song very well.
The morning came. The priest came to a rich farmer's house. The farmer and his wife was crying because their daughter had been chosen for the sacrifice this year. The parents must offer their daughter to Mitsuke Shrine's master. The priest guessed that Mistuke Shrines's master was some kind of monster and would eat the young girl. He understood that the monsters were afraid of Hayatarou. He guessed that Hayatarou lived in Shinshu, and he started to head to Shinshu to look for Hayatarou.
After a long trip, he heard the rumor of Hayatarou. Hayatarou was a dog in Kourinji Temple. (Kourinji is in present-day Komagane City now.) The priest met Hayatarou. Hayatarou looked huge and strong. He asked the priest of Kourinji Temple if he could take Hayatarou to Mitsuke Village. At last, he was allowed to borrow Hayatarou. He and Hayatarou went to Mitsuke Village.
On the appointed day, Hayatarou went into the sacrifice box instead of the young girl. All the villagers then went back home. At midnight, the monsters appeared and sang, "Never let Hayatarou know about Shinshu" and danced together. Suddenly, Hayatarou jumped out and began to fight against the monsters. The fight continued until morning. The terrible barking and noise was heard throughout the village.
When the night was over, the priest and villagers came to the shrine. They found many huge apes that were killed, and Hayatarou was seriously injured. Hayatarou wanted to go back to Kourinji Temple, so the priest decided to take Hayatarou to Shinshu. But Hayatarou was injured, and the villagers were worried. At last, they left to Shinshu. They traveled on Akiha Road. Hayatarou was walking slowly and staggering.
When they got to Aokuzure Pass in Misakubo Village, Hayatarou fell down. There they could see Shinshu far away. Hayatarou died there. The priest buried Hayatarou by Akiha Road. The Mitsuke villagers were very sad, but the village became peaceful. Since then, the Mitsuke Shrine Festival began. The purpose of the festival is to drive away bad spirits and wish for peace and health.
Now there is a statue of Hayatarou in Misakubo Town. Misakubo has many mountains and a deep forest. Hayatarou is resting in peace in the quiet forest. Iwata City and Komagane City are sister cities.