2025 Morioka Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#2024Travel Review When traveling to Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, in addition to visiting the natural features and history and culture, there is also a special craft that you should not miss, that is the famous #Southern Ironware. "Nanbu Ironware" refers to the cast iron products produced in Morioka City and Oshu City's Mizusawa District. Because Iwate Prefecture is blessed with high-quality iron ore and exquisite craftsmanship, Nanbu Ironware has become a local specialty and a valuable gift exchanged among celebrities. IWACHU (Iwachu Ironware Museum) is the store I visited this time. It combines a product store and an art display. You can also see the craftsmen polishing and casting process on site. It is really interesting! Cast iron is used in a wide range of applications, from cast iron kettles and cups for making tea to kitchen utensils. You can take one home, and you can get a tax refund if you spend enough! #日本 Northeast Free Travel #Southern Ironware #Iwate県 #Morioka City

#2024Travel Review #Morioka was ranked 2nd among the 52 cities selected by the New York Times Magazine as a must-visit. People can’t help but wonder, what is the charm of Morioka City, located in Iwate Prefecture? In 2024, during my maple viewing trip to the Northeast, I traveled from Sendai to Aomori and visited Morioka City, a charming city. Morioka is located in the central hub of six northeastern counties in Japan. The urban area is run by the Nakatsu River and is surrounded by mountains. It has retro buildings from the Meiji era and the ruins of Morioka Castle with beautiful stone walls. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the red leaves are dyed yellow. A beautiful landscape painting. This time I woke up very early and took a walk to Morioka Castle Park. This historical site was selected as one of the top 100 castles in Japan and one of the top 100 parks in Japan. The maple leaves and ginkgo trees on the stone walls were in full bloom, and the sky was red and golden. Slowly rising into the sky, it is really beautiful. Not far from Iwate Park, there is a beautiful building: the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building. Designed by architect Tatsuno Kingo and Kasai Manji Architects, it is full of Renaissance style. It is also worth taking a look and visiting together. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #Northeastern Maple Viewing #Morioka #Morioka Castle Ruins

#GINKGO #100 Ways to Travel In addition to red leaves in autumn in Northeast Japan, yellow leaves are also indispensable #gingko. During this free trip to Northeast Japan, I visited several scenic spots where ginkgos are in full bloom. I share them as follows: #Kakunodate is known as Oku's Little Kyoto, especially the street in the samurai house. The maple leaves and ginkgo trees bloom at the same time, dyeing the entire thatched house of the samurai house in a golden red. It is really beautiful! #Morioka Castle Ruins Morioka Castle, located close to the river and located high up, is full of cherry blossoms, maples, and ginkgo trees. With the remains of the city wall as the background, the golden ginkgo trees stand tall and straight, giving it a unique sense of history. # aomori Ginkgo is a street tree in Aomori. Ginkgo trees are planted on both sides of the main road extending to the harbor next to A-Factory, but the intervals are a bit wide. Each blooming ginkgo has a lonely beauty. #中野山 Although it is a well-known maple viewing spot, there are still huge ginkgo trees along the maple viewing platform. Especially at the maple viewing platform, there are whole yellow leaves, overwhelmingly dyeing the entire mountain forest yellow, which is quite healing. #OiraseStream The most popular natural attraction in Northeast Japan, the gurgling stream, the red and yellow colors of autumn, and the sunlight shining through the gaps between the maple leaves and ginkgo trees, are as beautiful as a painting. There are many kinds of trees in Oirase Stream, including red leaves, ginkgo, cedar and other color-changing deciduous trees. Once the seasons change, it is even more beautiful and it is extremely pleasant to walk along it. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #gingko #红叶 #100 ways to travel

#100WAYS TO TRAVEL # BATH HOTEL A self-driving trip to Northeast Japan, returning from Aomori, returning to the relay point Morioka, and staying overnight. Since we were checking in on a Saturday, room prices in urban areas are generally higher, so we compared prices and chose to stay at the Grand Hotel. Grand Hotel has a good location, within a 10-minute walk from Morioka Castle ruins and Iwate Bank. Just around the corner from the hotel is a busy shopping street, which is very convenient for shopping and eating. The hotel itself has a sense of age. Both the building itself and the decoration pattern are in a retro and old-school style. The room is not small, and is larger than some newer hotel rooms. It is also equipped with a small sofa and a bathtub. As for the price, a twin room costs NT$2,500 per night, including breakfast, which is not bad in terms of CP value. The bed is easy to lie down and sleep well, and the breakfast is also rich, but it's just not that new. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #Morioka Travel #grandhitel # Bathtub Hotel #100 Ways to Travel

#100 Ways to Travel My first meal in Morioka was not to eat cold noodles and grilled pork, but to eat thick-cut katsu fried pork cutlets! とんかつ Kamiruzaka さくら イオンモール This tonkatsu specialty store located in #AEONMALLMorioka is strange in that there are not many customers, but the food is served very slowly, but the taste is quite delicious! It turns out that everything is cooked to order, and even the white rice is cooked in an earthen pot. No wonder it is so moist and plump. I ordered three fried items: thick-cut pork chop, Hiroshima oyster, omul and pork tenderloin. The fried dough is crispy but not dry, the pork filling locks in the soup and freshness, and is tender and oily. It performs well! Anyway, the key to ordering meat is that thick cuts are best. Served with extremely fine shreds of cabbage, it perfectly eliminates the greasiness. #Japan Northeast Free Travel #Morioka Food #Fried Pork Cutlet #100 Ways to Travel

Ishiwate Onsen is a paradise away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 😎 Shikitei is a traditional Japanese-style hot spring hotel located in the deepest part of the Shizukuishi Onsen area in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, with a history of 900 years. You can enjoy the changing beauty of the Japanese garden in the room. The spring is a simple sulfur spring, rich in metasilicic acid, which is good for the skin and makes it smooth and moist. 🥰 ✅ Room type: Japanese-style, Japanese-Western style. Baby supplies are available, making it perfect for family trips. 🌹 ✅ Hot spring: The hotel has a large bath and an open-air bath. Some deluxe rooms are equipped with a private open-air bath. 🛀♨️ ✅ Meals: Kaiseki cuisine, made with the freshest seasonal ingredients, and the menu changes every month. From winter to spring, you can enjoy Japanese hairy crab, and in other seasons, the popular Maesawa beef. 💕

Representative of Morioka cold noodles [Pyonpyonsha] The soup is sweet and refreshing. The noodles are chewy rather than smooth, and are thick and elastic. The three types of kimchi go well with the beef char siu❤️ As it is a yakiniku restaurant, we were also able to try Morioka's specialty, platinum pork. I once had the super spicy bibim noodles here and couldn't eat them, so I recommend a milder option if it's your first time😊 The restaurant is spacious, and we were given a paper with our queue of 10 groups, and were called by machine about 15 minutes later. The turnover is fast, so even if there is a line, it's worth waiting👍 [Pyonpyonsha Morioka Ekimae Branch] 📍Location: Jarran Building, 9-3 Morioka Ekimae-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture 🕰️Business hours: 11:00-23:00 No fixed holidays 💰Price per person: 2000 yen #Pyonpyonsha #Morioka #Morioka lunch #Morioka cold noodles #Morioka gourmet #Iwate gourmet #0 yen travel

Traveling from Tokyo to Morioka, a town in Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region, this is my second visit to Morioka. The first time was in spring, to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom at Kitakami. This time, also in spring, I came to see the Dragon Eye at Hachimantai in Akita Prefecture. Since I'm staying overnight, I must take a stroll around the town, stopping by Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, the town's important temple, to pray for good fortune. Then, I continued walking and taking pictures around the Kitakami River bridge. The weather was great, the flowers beautiful, and the walk was absolutely enjoyable. Along the way, I stopped by various fruit shops and snack stores. It's easy to walk around, and the weather is nice. If you have the chance, come and visit this town.

Besides Sendai, many people will visit Morioka when traveling to Tohoku. Although there are a few department stores here, it feels like a small country town. There is a street full of izakayas in Morioka. There are many choices and you can drink a lot at night. I recommend Sanmaime Sukegoro. In addition to the 90-minute all-you-can-drink menu, they also offer sashimi for three people for less than 1,000 yen. You can eat and drink as much as you want. The key point is that you don't have to worry about others seeing how much you eat in the private room. I highly recommend everyone to come and try it!

Iwate Prefecture, Japan is the second largest prefecture in Japan. Many tourists who come to the Northeast will also arrange to come here to enjoy cherry blossoms and maple leaves. The most popular place in Iwate is Morioka because it is a big transfer point and one of the cities in the Iwate area. This time, we chose to stay in Morioka because we had to go to Akita early the next morning. Because we originally wanted to choose a hot spring hotel before winter, but after looking at it, we chose the Daiwa Roynet Hotel Morioka Ekimae Morioka Station with the highest CP value. In addition to being only three minutes away from the station, there is a direct access to 7-11 downstairs. If you are hungry in the middle of the night, you don’t need to wear a lot of clothes. There is food to eat downstairs. It is a hotel that I highly recommend everyone to stay in!

Here are some of the places we visited in Morioka. Hotel Mazarium is actually located inside the bus terminal building! It was clean and convenient. 1st photo: Hotel Mazarium 2nd photo: Former Ishii Prefectural Governor's Private Residence 3rd photo: Morioka Hachimangu Shrine 4th photo: Azumaya (Wankosoba), Pyonpyonsha 5th photo: Iwate Bank Red Brick Museum, Ramgin 6th photo: Yoichi, Morioka Handmade Village 7th photo: Morioka History and Culture Museum, Cyg art gallery (Park Avenue Kawatoku) 8th photo: Fukuda Bread, Asa Kai #Domestic Travel #Morioka #Morioka Tourism #Morioka Gourmet #Iwate #Iwate Tourism #Iwate Hotel

I arrived at Hanamaki Airport in Iwate! There was a direct flight to Fukuoka, so I took that. In the arrival lobby, there was a poster listing Iwate's great people. I knew about Miyazawa Kenji, but I didn't know Nitobe Inazo was from Iwate Prefecture either. There was also an advertisement for a collaboration between Mitsuya Cider and Miyazawa Kenji. In Hanamaki city, there were many names of facilities and companies related to Miyazawa Kenji. #DomesticTravel

On a gloomy, drizzling day in Morioka, we took the scenic route, venturing out into the cold to truly immerse ourselves in the spectacle of cherry blossoms. With the grey sky as a backdrop, the blossoms' delicate pink seemed to glow, their fleeting beauty heightened by the rain's soft patter. Stepping out of the car, we felt the chill of the rain, the moisture a refreshing contrast to the warm cocoon of the vehicle. The sensation of raindrops on our faces, the scent of blossoms in the air, and the sight of the trees in full bloom created a profound sensory experience. This was a testament to nature's resilience, blooming amidst the gloom, and a personal reminder of the beauty found in the face of adversity. #myperfectstaycation #flowerlover #foodie #本地遊 #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer #tripblazers #awesomepic #celebratewithtrip #passionpassport #MoriokaCherryBlossoms #RainyBlossom #GloomyYetBeautiful #NatureResilience #BeautyInAdversity #CherryBlossomWisdom #BloomingInTheGloom #GreySkyCanvas #CherryBlossomSpectacle #SensoryExperience #SteppingIntoRain #RefreshingContrast #ImmersiveNature #BlossomScent #RaindropRefreshment #VenturingOut #RainyResilience #SpectacleOfSpring #BlossomsInTheRain #GlowingPetals

It is designated as an important cultural property. Facility name: Iwate Bank Red Brick Museum Location: 2-20 Nakanohashi-dori 1-chome, Morioka, Iwate Access: 1 minute walk from Morioka Bus Center bus stop Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Every Tuesday, December 29th-January 3rd Fee (paid zone): Adults (16 years and older) 300 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 100 yen / Preschoolers free Designed by Tatsuno Kasai Architectural Design Office, the same firm that designed Tokyo Station. The building is divided into a free zone and a paid zone. The current Iwate Bank (5th photo) was also located nearby😊 #Domestic travel #Iwate #Iwate Prefecture #Morioka #Morioka sightseeing #Iwate Bank Red Brick Museum #Sightseeing #Important cultural property

[Access] About a 25-minute walk from Morioka Station [Points] ~A must-see when sightseeing in the city~ Iwate Park is located within the castle ruins. When you enter from the courthouse, you will find a shopping street, where you will also find Hakuryu Honten, famous for its Jajamen noodles. Anyone can walk around the moat freely, and it's fun to take photos that capture the moat together with the cityscape. *Information current as of May 2023. #Tourist Spots

[Access] About a 20-minute walk from Morioka Station [Points] ~The exterior and interior are both attractive~ Konyamachi Banya Cafe has a stylish building. You're sure to take some great photos. There's a lot of traffic, so look for the perfect photo opportunity. The store is a general goods store and cafe. They have a wide selection of goods such as brooches and bags, and women in particular will want to stay here for a long time. If you're tired from sightseeing in the city, it's a good place to take a break. *Information as of May 2023.

[Access] About 15 minutes by taxi from Morioka Station [Points] ~A must-see for sightseeing in Morioka city~ Morioka Hachiman Shrine is said to have been built in 1680 by Lord Nanbu Shigenobu. The gods enshrined at Morioka Hachiman Shrine are said to be the gods of the roots of human life, such as agriculture, industry, commerce, learning, and food, clothing, and shelter. It is said to be the largest shrine in the prefecture, so be sure to visit it when you are sightseeing in the city. *Information as of May 2023. #Tourist Spots

[Access] About a 7-minute walk from Morioka Station [Points] ~A hotel close to tourist attractions~ Hotel Pearl City Morioka is a little far from Morioka Station, but it is easy to access all of the city's tourist attractions. The rooms are equipped with basic amenities such as toothbrushes and razors. It was a simple design and very quiet. This is a recommended hotel for sightseeing in the city. *Information as of May 2023. #AccommodationReview

[Access] About a 10-minute walk from Morioka Station [Points] ~Thinking about Miyazawa Kenji~ Mitsuharasha is said to be the place where Miyazawa Kenji published his collection of fairy tales, The Restaurant of Many Orders, during his lifetime. Currently, it is a spot where you can relax and immerse yourself in the world of Kenji, with a coffee shop and a museum. *Information current as of May 2023. #Tourist Spot

[Access] About a 15-minute walk from Morioka Station Inside Morioka Castle Ruins Park [Points] ~Speaking of sightseeing in Morioka city~ Sakurayama Shrine is located on the site of the Sannomaru area of ​​Morioka Castle. It was founded in the second year of the Kan'en era in the mid-Edo period and is said to have been worshiped as the general guardian of the Nanbu clan. It is said to have a sword made by Kuninaga in the early Nanboku-cho period, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It is a good idea to visit it together with the neighboring Eboshi Rock. *Information as of May 2023. #Tourist Spot

[Access] About a 15-minute walk from Morioka Station [Points] ~If you go to Morioka, go here!~ Morioka Castle Ruins Park is a must-see spot when sightseeing in Morioka city. It is said that Morioka Castle was built in 1633 by the 28th feudal lord, Shigenao. It is a flat castle that used the Kitakami River, Shizukuishi River, and Nakatsu River as natural moats, and was also called Furukata Castle. *Information as of May 2023. #Tourist Spot

[Access] About 10 minutes by taxi from Morioka Station [Points] ~Considering the origin of the name of Iwate Prefecture~ It is said that Mitsuishi Shrine has a legend of a demon's handprint. It is said that the name Iwate was given to the shrine. Furthermore, Mitsuishi Shrine is also said to be the legendary birthplace of the Sansa Odori dance. It is a must-visit spot when sightseeing in Morioka city. *Information as of May 2023. #Prayer

[Access] About 10 minutes by taxi from Morioka Station [Points] ~Be moved by the 500 Arhats~ The most attractive feature of Hoon-ji Temple is the 500 Arhats. It is said that there are 499 statues to be exact. It is said that it was built by nine Buddhist sculptors from Kyoto over a period of four years, starting in 1731. All of the statues are made of inlay wood and lacquered, and are designated as cultural properties by Morioka City. It is far from Morioka Station, but if you are sightseeing in Morioka City, please be sure to visit it. *Information as of May 2023. #Tourism

[Access] About a 15-minute walk from Morioka Station [Points] ~Get a feel for Takuboku's lifestyle~ At Takuboku's Newlywed House, you can tour the room where the poet Ishikawa Takuboku is said to have lived for about three weeks after his marriage. It is said to be the only surviving samurai residence in Morioka. If you are touring the city, be sure to visit it. *Information current as of May 2023. #Tourism

[Access] 20th floor of Marios, just a short walk from Morioka Station [Points] ~Enjoy the view of Morioka city for free~ The Marios Observatory is located on the 20th floor of a building called Marios, just a short walk from Morioka Station. It is open at all times, including weekends and holidays. You can get a panoramic view of Morioka city from the 20th floor. What's more, the Marios Observatory is relatively empty, so I think it's a hidden gem. When you're sightseeing in Morioka city, be sure to visit the Marios Observatory. *Information current as of May 2023. #sightseeing

[Access] About a 25-minute walk from Morioka Station About a 7-minute taxi ride [Points] ~Enjoy the garden of a nationally registered monument~ The garden of Nansho-so is a nationally registered monument. You can sit on the cute chairs placed by the window and enjoy the view outside. There are many photogenic spots, so take your time to explore them. You can not only look at the garden, but also go there, so be sure to visit it when you are sightseeing in Morioka. *Information as of May 2023. #sightseeing

During my recent visit to the bustling city, I discovered the hidden gem of Otabashi Bridge (太田橋) and was instantly captivated by its charm. Nestled amidst the urban landscape, the bridge offered a peaceful retreat that connected me to nature and history in a way I never anticipated. As I strolled along the bridge, I marveled at the elegant wooden structure and the tranquil river flowing beneath. The serene atmosphere was accentuated by the lush foliage and gentle whispers of the wind, providing a stark contrast to the city's energetic pace. While crossing Otabashi Bridge, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to experience this rare blend of modernity and tradition. The juxtaposition of the ancient bridge against the contemporary skyline reminded me of the delicate balance that exists between progress and preservation. Reflecting on my visit to Otabashi Bridge, I am left with cherished memories of a tranquil oasis that provided a momentary respite from the urban jungle, rekindling my appreciation for the harmonious coexistence of past and present. #myperfectstaycation #flowerlover #foodie #本地遊 #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer #tripblazers #awesomepic #celebratewithtrip #passionpassport #japan #sakura #cherryblossom

My enchanting visit to Sakurayama Shrine during the mesmerizing sakura season was nothing short of breathtaking. As I wandered through the lush, cherry blossom-laden pathways, I felt a deep sense of serenity enveloping me. The vibrant pink and white blossoms formed a stunning canopy overhead, giving the shrine a celestial ambiance that was impossible to resist. The gentle rustle of leaves and soothing whispers of prayers filled the air, providing a tranquil escape from the world outside. As I stood before the shrine's sacred grounds, I offered my gratitude, feeling a profound connection to the divine and the beauty of nature. The memories of Sakurayama Shrine during sakura season will be forever etched in my heart as a testament to the harmonious blend of natural splendor and spiritual reverence that graced those unforgettable moments. #myperfectstaycation #flowerlover #themepark #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer #awesomepic #tripblazers #celebratewithtrip #passionpassport #sakura #cherryblossom #2023travelwish