Travel Plans
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- Take the Shiji Kairo pilgrimage course to witness the beauty of Tohoku’s sacred sites
![Take the Shiji Kairo pilgrimage course to witness the beauty of Tohoku’s sacred sites]()
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- Shiji Kairo is a pilgrimage course that weaves along four temples in the Tohoku region. It is such a famous and beautiful route that it’s been immortalised in a number of Japanese literary works, such as “Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)” by Matsuo Basho. Here is a plan to visit Risshaku-ji Temple in Yamagata Prefecture, Zuigan-ji Temple in Matsushima and Chuson-ji Temple and Motsu-ji Temple in Hiraizumi. Experience the pilgrimage as the great haiku poet did.
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- A car-touring plan with stories of Tono and Hanamaki, Iwate
![A car-touring plan with stories of Tono and Hanamaki, Iwate]()
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- This is a plan to explore the area from Tono to Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, which was the stage for various folk tales, such as Kappa (mythical water dwelling creatures) and myths. Enjoy spending a nostalgic day surrounded by the rich nature of Tono and the kindness of Hanamaki, hometown to Kenji Miyazawa.
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- A driving plan for enjoying the majestic nature and culture of Iwate
![A driving plan for enjoying the majestic nature and culture of Iwate]()
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- The plan starts at "Ichinoseki” with its wealth of natural beauty interwoven into a natural masterpiece. After being blown away by the natural beauty of Iwate's scenery, visit world heritage historic sites and get in touch with the local history of the area. Set off on a journey that takes you back in time from the current day Hiraizumi into its history-rich past.
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Travel Guide
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Best Events
Top Things to do
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- Hakuryu
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![Hakuryu]()
- Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Uchimaru 5-15
- This is a popular restaurant for Morioka jaja-men. The shop is said to have originated when the founder had eaten zhajiangmian in Manchuria before WWII, and tried to replicate the dish with Japanese ingredients. Enjoy the chewy, broad noodles garnished with meat stir-fried in miso, cucumber and green onion, and mix in garlic, ginger and chili oil. Finish off the meal as Zhidan soup by leaving behind one mouthful of noodles, then adding in noodle broth and a beaten egg.
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- Azumaya Soba Restaurant
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![Azumaya Soba Restaurant]()
- Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Nakanohashidori 1-8-3
- This is a long-established soba restaurant founded in 1907 that serves up Morioka’s famous wanko soba and also their original “Nambu Soba Kaiseki.” Guests that eat more than 100 bowls of wanko soba can receive an original Azamaya wanko soba certificate. In addition to soba, they offer a wide selection of other items including colorful bento (Japanese box lunches) that use ingredients in season.
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- Kamasada
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![Kamasada]()
- Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Konyachou 2-5
- This is a long-established workshop that has continued to make nambu tekki (a famous type of ironware from the south of Iwate) since the Meiji period. The works produced by the third generation Nobuho Miya, who has experience living in Finland, are distinctive for being a combination of Japan’s old traditions and modern art. The functionality of simple yet outstanding nambu tekki has been garnering attention again recently.
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- Motsuji Temple
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![Motsuji Temple]()
- Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Osawa 58
- This temple that belongs to the Tendai sect was constructed in 850. It is said to have been founded by the priest Jikaku Daishi. Sights to see include the Jodo (Pure Land) garden that is arranged to unify the Buddhist temple and garden pond. As a valuable garden that even now conveys the thoughts and techniques of the Sakutei-ki, the oldest book concerning gardens in Japan, this is a symbol of Motsu-ji Temple. The temple premises have been designated as a Special Historic Site, and the Ennen-no-mai (a dance performed here for peace and longevity) has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Property.
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- Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center
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![Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center]()
- Iwate Pref. Nishiwaigunhiraizumichou Hiraizumi Hanadate 44
- This free facility introduces the history and culture of Hiraizumi in an understandable way through wall panels and videos. Items such as documents related to Hiraizumi’s World Heritage sites and articles recovered from the ground during excavation projects are displayed. Paying a visit before sightseeing will deepen your understanding of Hiraizumi’s history and culture and make for a more enjoyable visit. Audio guides that support four languages are also available for use by foreign visitors.
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- Genbikei Gorge
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![Genbikei Gorge]()
- Iwate Pref. Ichinosekishi Gembichou Minamitakinoue
- Genbikei is a valley of the Iwai River originating in Mt. Kurikoma and flowing to Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. Dynamic landscapes such as waterfalls, strangely shaped and magical rocks continue for two kilometers. The specialty of Genbikei is of course the Kakko-dango Dumplings. When ordering and paying, you place your money in a basket attached to a rope stretched to the other side. After sounding a wooden hammer, the basket is pulled up and the dumplings and tea are delivered in return instead. Fun to watch, and delicious to eat.
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- Tono Municipal Museum
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![Tono Municipal Museum]()
- Iwate Pref. Tonoshi Higashidatechou 3-9
- Established in 1980, this museum is the first of its kind in Japan. It is a museum introducing the folklore and folk culture of the Tono peoples' lifestyle, environment, history, and culture. The life of the Tono people in the Tono basin valley is displayed in an easy to understand manner through documents and photographs. One can enjoy viewing the Tono Story, the picture works based on local folklore and topics, and the animated film ''Shigeru Mizuki's Tono Story.''
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- Folktale and Storytelling Center
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![Folktale and Storytelling Center]()
- Iwate Pref. Tonoshi Chuoudori 2-11
- This is museum where guests can experience Tono’s world of folklore passed down through the generations through audio and visual exhibits. The facility offers something for both adults and children to enjoy, with a theater, video library, and experience corner. In the Tono-za, a theater that was once used as a sake brewer’s storehouse, visitors can appreciate folk tales told by a professional storyteller and other folk entertainment.
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- Jokenji Temple
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![Jokenji Temple]()
- Iwate Pref. Tonoshi Tsuchibuchichoutsuchibuchi 7-50
- This is a temple of the Soto school (of Zen Buddhism) that was established in 1490. 3.5-meter statues of the two guardian Deva kings flank the main temple gate. It is also known as the kappa komainu (kappa guardian dog) temple based on a legend that kappa (a mythical water-dwelling creature) that lived in the river to the south of the temple once helped extinguish a fire at the temple and became komainu (a guardian lion-dog).
Main Area
What is Iwate?
A northern Tohoku prefecture promising peace and quiet, Iwate is sparsely populated, replacing people with snow-capped mountains, history-rich sites, and fields of crops that are to thank for the region's delicious local cuisine. Meander along the three-city Golden Route, where you'll visit the grand Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi and the Tono folk villages before tasting the three famed noodle dishes of Morioka.
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Iwate Overviews
Climate
What to Wear
- Jan
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- Warm Cloth
- Feb
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- Warm Cloth
- Mar
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- Warm Cloth
- Apr
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- Jacket
- May
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- Long
- Jun
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- Long
- Jul
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- Short
- Aug
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- Long
- Sep
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- Long
- Oct
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- Jacket
- Nov
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- Warm Cloth
- Dec
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- Warm Cloth
Based on the Meteorological Agency "past weather data", created NAVITIME
Getting Around
Sitting against a backdrop of fantastic mountains, Iwateâs capital city, Morioka, is not only a highlight of the prefecture but a transport hub in the center of the Tohoku region. Flying to Iwate-Hanamaki Airport, visitors can pop over to Morioka on a direct limousine bus in just 50 minutesã¼or, even easier, take the Tohoku or Akita Shinkansen a couple of hours north to Morioka.
How to get
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How to get to Hanamaki Airport