Spots in Morioka City / Shizukuishi Town / Koiwai Area

  • A Lonesome Cherry Blossoms on the Koiwai Farm
    Travel / Tourism
    Iwate Pref. Iwategunshizukuishichou Maruyachi 36-1
    A lonesame cherry blossoms (an Edo-higanzakura) on the Koiwai Farm—Japan’s largest private comprehensive farm—was planted as a “shade tree” to protect cows from the harsh sunlight of summer around 1910. It usually blooms during Golden Week. The contrast of cherry blossoms with lingering snow on Mt. Iwate is gorgeous.
  • Shiwa Furu Inari-jinja Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Iwate Pref. Shiwagunshiwachou Masuzawa Komori 108
    This is a quiet shrine surrounded by trees, protected by Ukanomitama no Kami, the god of “Good Fortune” and “Industry.” Originally it was called Hongu-ji Temple, and Shinto and Buddhist ascetic practice experience was carried out here until the Meiji Restoration. This shrine is rare, and in front of the main hall is Gokenzoku Shrine. In 1954 the typhoon No. 15 blew over the large sacred cedar tree. The “Gokenzoku, the mummy of a white fox” was excavated from a cavity in the fallen tree roots. It is said that wishes will come true if you ask this fox as it is transmitted to the main Inari Shrine.
  • Mitsuishi-jinja Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Nasukawachou 2-1
    Located in a corner of the Tokenji Temple of Morioka City, the Mitsuishi-jinja Shrine is a power spot said to be the origin of Iwate Prefecture’s name. It is effective for fertility, good relationships, and relief from illness. There is a legend that a god named “Mitsuishi-sama” expelled the raging Raseki demon from these lands, and made it promise never to do evil again as evidenced by its handprint left on a rock at this shrine. Every August, one of Tohoku’s big five festivals, the Sansa Odori (dance), is held here. This dance originated as a show of gratitude to this god, and the offering dance is performed within Mitsuishi-jinja Shrine’s precincts.
  • Yupiasu (Morioka Residual Heat Utilization Health Promotion Center)
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Ueda Torii Ozawa 148 - 103
    Yupiasu is a multi-purpose leisure facility located on Yupiasu Road to the east of the Kitamatsuzono residential district in Morioka City. Yupiasu was established with the aim of providing a venue to strengthen community ties among Morioka’s citizens through health and sport related activities. Besides heated pools and baths, there is also a gymnasium, conference rooms and other facilities. The pool area has water slides and a “lazy river,” making Yupiasu a place that children will enjoy visiting. The hot springs area has outdoor pools and a sauna; not only is this ideal for washing the sweat off after taking part in sporting activities, it is also great for just relaxing on weekends or holidays.
  • Giboshi Pillars of Kaminohashi Bridge
    Travel / Tourism
    Iwate Prefecture Morioka City Nakatsugawa Uenobashi
    Kaminohashi Bridge is in the city of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. The feudal lord of the region, Nanbu Toshinao, built a wooden bridge in conjunction with his construction of Morioka Castle. The present-day bridge was built in 1935. Cypress wood was used for the railings, but later, hiba wood grown in the prefecture was used. The bridge is characterized by giboshi; decorated pillars that were installed during the original construction process.
  • Konya-cho Watchtower
    Travel / Tourism
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Konyachou 4-33
    Konya-cho Watchtower is a preserved building in the city of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. It was built in 1891 as the watchtower for Fire Brigade No. 4, and in 1913, it was remodeled for use as the office for Fire Brigade No. 4. The two-story wooden building was formerly used as a regular storage facility for fire-fighting equipment, but now the first floor is a garage for fire trucks, and the second floor is a meeting room decorated in Japanese style with tatami.
  • Tea Shop Shun
    Gourmet / Alcohol
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Nakanohashidori 1-3-15
    Tea Shop Shun in the city of Morioka in Iwate Prefecture was established in 1985 and specializes in black tea. Its high-ceilinged, airy interior creates a calm atmosphere where customers can relax. In addition to tea, it also serves a variety of other menu items, including fruit desserts and curry. It is well frequented by local people.
  • Shirasawa Senbei Shop
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    4.0
    8 Reviews
    Gourmet / Alcohol
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Konyachou 2-16
    Shirasawa Senbei Shop sells traditional Japanese crackers in the city of Morioka in Iwate Prefecture. This venerable shop features Nambu Senbei, a famous product of Iwate Prefecture, and the flavorful Sesame Senbei are especially popular. Among the many other varieties that customers can enjoy are Peanut, Walnut, and Sunflower Seed Senbei.

    盛岡で有名な南部せんべいの老舗店です。煎餅というと一つの味かと思われますが、色々な味があります。お土産にはとても良いです。レトロな感じを味わえるところも魅力的です。

  • Yakiniku Reimen Yamato (Morioka Store)
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    3.5
    16 Reviews
    Gourmet / Alcohol
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Inarichou 3-3
    This restaurant located in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture is where you can enjoy authentic yakiniku BBQ and reimen (cold noodles). Morioka Reimen, with a well-balanced taste between the noodles, soup and kakuteki (radish kimchi), even has different levels of spiciness for you to choose from. In addition, they offer many courses and dishes such as yakiniku BBQ and Japanese black beef, and many customers visit as families or for other gatherings.

    冷麺まつりの時期に行きました。このイベントの時は、お肉も冷麺、温麺もとてもオトクに食べられます。もちろん美味しいです。冷麺はお店によって味付けに特色がありますが、私はヤマトの冷麺大好きです。

  • Urumi Kogei
    Travel / Tourism
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Chuoudori 2-9-23
    This crafts facility is located in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. They sell craftworks, Joboji Nuri lacquerware with characteristically beautiful colors. They also produce bowls and chopsticks, and Western tableware such as forks and tea cups. In addition, you can attend an experience classroom to paint a bowl using synthetic lacquer with a prior reservation, and tours of the facility are also available.
  • Iwayama Parkland
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Shinjou Iwashi Park
    This amusement park is located inside Iwayama Park in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, and you can enjoy the Ferris wheel and go carts while taking in the magnificent panoramic view. In addition, thrilling attractions such as Rainbow Spin Coaster and Apollo are very popular. You can see the park bustling with many families and couples on holidays.
  • Roadside Station Shizukuishi Anekko Kobiru Corner
    Transportation
    Iwate Pref. Iwategunshizukuishichou Hashiba Sakamoto 118 - 10
    This roadside station is located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate County. In the direst sales corner for produce, they sell locally-produced wasabi, seasonal vegetables harvested in the morning, pickles, mochi (rice cakes) and bento lunch boxes. There is also a product corner with souvenirs. In addition, there are also eateries, day-trip hot spring facilities and an automobile campground. You can refresh your body and soul while being in touch with nature. It is a rest spot for drivers and a place that where many locals gather.
  • Matsu Bokkuri Handmade Ice Cream Barn
    Gourmet / Alcohol
    Iwate Pref. Iwategunshizukuishichou Nagayama Hayasaka 70-48
    Matsu Bokkuri Handmade Ice Cream Barn is located in the town of Shizukuishi in Iwate County and sells handmade gelato made from the milk of pasture-raised dairy cows. In addition to flavors such as milk, chocolate, and coffee, which are always on sale, there are also flavors of gelato that are available only during certain seasons. Customers can go to the eat-in space on the second floor and enjoy their gelato, perhaps with a beverage, while viewing the surrounding outdoor scenery.
  • La France Hot Springs Hotel
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Iwate Pref. Shiwagunshiwachou Koyashiki Shinzaike 90
    La France Hot Springs Hotel is a natural hot spring facility located the town of Shiwa, Shiwa County, Iwate Prefecture, near Mt. Azumane. It offers a full range of bathing options, including Japanese-style and Western-style bathing areas and saunas. It also has a warm-water swimming pool and water slide. Inside the building are a restaurant and individual lounges, making La France a popular place for local people to spend a relaxing day.
  • Tsunagi Onsen Tourist Information Center
    Travel / Tourism
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Tsunagi Tateichi 89
    This tourist information center is located near Lake Gosho about 30 minutes by car from Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. It provides information about Tsunagi Onsen, popular as Morioka's reception room, and introduces tourist attractions such as the nearby inn Shikitei, and Hiraizumi, a World Heritage Site. In addition, it regularly holds events visited by many tourists.
  • Himekami-san Ipponsugi-enchi Campsite
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Tamayama-ku Tamayama Princess Kamiake National Forest 33-162
    This free campsite is located near Mt. Himekami in Tamayama Ward of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. It is popular since it has stoves, washrooms and bathrooms, and even a nearby supermarket. In addition, because it is situated along a mountain climbing course, it is used not only by campers but also mountain climbers. It is open every year from April until around November.
  • Gandoko Rest House
    Transportation
    Iwate Prefecture Morioka city Yabugawa Toyama 24-12
    This rest house is located near Lake Gando in Tamayama Ward of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. Famous as a good spot for wakasagi fishing, dome ship fishing is available from November and ice fishing from around January. In addition, the facility includes a restaurant that will cook any wakasagi you catch for free. It is a popular spot where people who love fishing come from afar.
  • Azumaya Soba Restaurant (Ekimae Branch)
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    4.0
    86 Reviews
    Gourmet / Alcohol
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Moriokaekimaedori 8-11
    Azumaya is a soba restaurant located just two minutes' walk from JR Morioka Station in the city of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. Established in 1907, it is famous for serving Wanko Soba, that is, All-you-can-eat soba. It also serves a variety of other kinds of food, including a Nanbu Soba Kaiseki Dinner and box lunches made from seasonal ingredients. It accepts large groups and is barrier free, so it attracts a lot of tourists from both Japan and overseas.

    I recently was passing through Morioka late one night during my trip to Japan and decided to hop off the Shinkansen because I really wanted to try Wanko Soba. This restaurant is a conveniently...

  • Azumaya Soba Restaurant (Otesaki Branch)
    Gourmet / Alcohol
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Uchimaru 17-40
    Azumaya is a soba restaurant located near the Iwate Prefectural Offices in the city of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. Established in 1907, it is famous for serving Wanko Soba, that is, All-you-can-eat soba. In addition to soba, it is known for its Special Katsudon (a breaded pork cutlet on rice) and other dishes. This restaurant can seat groups of up to 80 people, and its proximity to Morioka Castle Ruins Park and other sights attracts large numbers of tourists.
  • Hatsukoma Main Shop
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    4.5
    9 Reviews
    Gourmet / Alcohol
    Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Hachimanchou 10-21
    This soba buckwheat noodle shop founded in 1960 is located in the Hachiman-cho area of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. It is a famous shop where you can taste Morioka's specialty, Wanko Soba, using soba flour from the prefecture. Group seating is also available, and locally produced items for local consumption such as Anekko Gozen are also offered for group.

    東北旅行で今回わんこそばに挑戦しようということになりました。事前に予約をしていったのでスムーズに入店することができました。わんこそばを食べるのが初めてで温かいのか冷たいのかもわからず、早速運ばれてきました。わんこそばは少し温かいのが正解でした。始めていくとテンポ良く、応援されながらお給仕して頂けます。テンポは自分のペースで良いらしいのですが、まんまと相手のペースに巻き込まれ、ついついオーバーペース...

Iwate Areas

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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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