Iwate

Travel Guide

• Discover Genbikei Gorge with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)

  

  2021.10.14

• Discover Geibikei Gorge with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)

  

  2021.04.21

• 2020-2021 Snow Resort Guide in Japan: Asia’s Winter Wonderland

  

  2020.12.06

• 2020 Top 30 Hot Springs (Onsen) in Japan

  

  2020.11.22

• From earliest to latest, follow the blooming flowers of cherry blossom 2020

  

  2020.03.24

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Best Events

• Festivals

  

  • Iwate Morioka Sansa Odori Festival
  • Spring Fujiwara Festival

• Cherry Blossom

  

  • Morioka Castle Site Park
  • Chuson-ji Temple

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  • Morioka Fireworks Festival

Top Things to do

• Ryusendo Cave

  4.5

  225 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Shimoheiguniwaizumichou Iwaizumi Kannari 1-1

  This massive limestone cave is one of Japan’s three largest, and is designated a National Natural Monument. The cave is over 5,000 meters long overall, and hosts eight underground lakes that are among the clearest in the world. The color of the water, called Dragon Blue, is astonishing and the mystical sight is worth visiting. A 700 meter walking route in the cave and three of the eight lakes are open to the public. One section of the trail is barrier-free, with full wheelchair access. The limestone filtered water has been named one of Japan’s top 100 waters, and is available to drink at the cave entrance.

• Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum

  4.0

  183 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Hanamakishi Yasawa 1-1-36

  The Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum is located in the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture. It contains video images, as well as materials related to the poet and author of children's stories, Miyazawa Kenji, organized into exhibits in five fields. There are presentations about the creative process that led to Miyazawa's works, commentaries, and the results of research about him. Special events are held inside the museum, including limited-time exhibits of the manuscripts of his children's stories.

• Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo Hall (Takkoku Seikoji Temple)

  4.5

  150 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Kitazawa 16

  This temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism is located in the Hiraizumi-cho area of Nishiwai County, Iwate Prefecture. This cascade temple worships Bishamonten, which is in the Bishamondo Hall, and is a nationally designated Historic Site. In addition, it is also famous for having a torii gate, which is rare in temples. Many tourists visit to enjoy the different scenery of every season.

• Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura (Village of Fairy Tales)

  4.0

  124 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Hanamakishi Takamatsu 26-19

  An experience-oriented museum dedicated to the fairy tales of Kenji Miyazawa located in Takamatsu, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Surrounded by hills and fields, you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into the world of Miyazawa’s fairy tales in the museum’s charming, magical atmosphere. The Kenji’s School area is divided into five zones themed after the Miyazawa’s works. Other museum facilities include Milky Way Station, the Sky Plaza, Kenji’s Classroom, the Fairy Path, the Owl Path, and the Yamano Soen forest. Visitors are encouraged to slowly stroll the facility’s grounds and enjoy the fairy tale world and various sculptures scattered here and there. The nearest station is Shin-Hanamaki Station.

• Chuson-ji Temple

  3.5

  2 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Koromonoseki 202

  This temple was reportedly founded in 850 by Jikaku Daishi, a monk associated with Enryaku-ji Temple in Hieizan (Mt. Hiei). Fujiwara Kiyohira is said to have laid the substantial foundation of the temple. Sights on the premises include the Konjikido, which has been designated as a National Treasure, and the Sankozo, which houses a collection of more than 3,000 cultural properties left by the Oshu Fujiwara lords. In 2011 the cultural heritage of Hiraizumi including Chuson-ji Temple was registered as a World Heritage Site.

• Osawa Onsen

  4.5

  108 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Hanamakishi Yuguchi Osawa 181

  This hot spring is located in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. While gazing at the seasonal natural scenery, you can enjoy soaking in a hot spring in a relaxed state of mind. It consists of three accommodation facilities, Sansuikaku, Kikusuikan and Toujiya, which have differing baths you can use. In addition, there is also a shop, eatery and banquet hall on the premises.

• Morioka Hachimangu Shrine

  4.0

  90 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Hachimanchou 13-1

  Morioka Hachimangu Shrine was built in 1680 by the 29th feudal lord Shigenobu Nambu. The god enshrined here has been revered by the locals since ancient times as the god for the roots of human life which include farming, industry, commerce, learning and the other basics of life. Many people know about the various festivals held throughout the year including the Dashi-gyoji (float) Festival and Yabusame Jinji (a horseback archery ritual).

• Roadside Station Tono Kazu no Oka

  4.0

  65 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Tonoshi Ayaorichounisato 8-2-1

  This roadside station is located in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture. The spiral magnus wind turbine, with blades shaped like screws, is the symbol of the facility. In addition, it sells locally harvested agricultural products, folk crafts and handicrafts, and features a rich variety of items. You can also enjoy Kuretsubo soba (buckwheat noodles), gyoja garlic ramen and a set meal with jingisukan (grilled mutton).

• Morioka Handi-Works Square

  4.0

  95 Reviews

  Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Tsunagi Oirino 64-102

  This facility is home to first-rate artisan groups who craft authentic handiworks every day. It consists of the industry revival center, the handi-works square, and the “magariya” zone. The handi-works square offers visitors a chance to craft various Morioka specialty products and hosts events as well, giving people a chance to observe artisans up close and try their hand at making their own items. The local cultural site “Nanbu Magariya” is a must-see as well. It’s about 20 minutes by car from the Morioka Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.