Central Iwate

Kenji Shimizu

This is the communal well that Kenji Miyazawa used when he was a student at Morioka High School of Agriculture and Forestry (currently Iwate University Faculty of Agriculture) in 1912, when he was lodging with his younger brother Seiroku and cousin at the Tamai family in Osawagawara 1-chome. It is still freely available.

Teramachi Street

The street, with its Nambu Ironware street lights, cobblestone-like sidewalks, and temple walls, was selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Roads in 1988. Nearby are Hoonji Temple, known for the 500 Rakans, and Mitsuishi Shrine, which is also a legendary place name in Iwate.

Onikoshi Sozen Shrine

In 1597, a horse in Sawauchi village became unruly while playing in the field, ran all the way to Takizawa, and died. The villagers buried him with care and built a shrine. This is said to be the beginning of Sozen Shrine, and since then, people have taken time off from work to decorate their horses and worship at this shrine on May 5th, Boy's Festival. This is the birthplace of Chagu Chagu Umako, which has been held on June 15 of the new calendar since 1968, and on the second Saturday of June since 2001.

Mitsuishi Shrine

Behind Token-ji Temple, there is Mitsuishi Shrine, which is made up of three huge granite stones, and there is a legend of a demon's handprint on these three stones, which is said to be the origin of the name Iwate. It is also the legendary birthplace of the Sansa dance.

Fujiwara Bee Farm

*Relocated and reopened in May 2023. Since opening in 1909, we have exhibited beekeeping products and ecosystem-related products born from a century of honeybee research, and you can listen to explanations of these products and learn more about pollen control of agricultural products and the importance of nature. It is attracting attention as a bee farm. A Japanese honey bee village has been established in a mountainous area about 20 minutes by car from the city, and there is a honey-harvesting farm that has been in existence since the Taisho era along the mountain stream at the Hayachine trailhead.

Lake Gosho Kawamura Art Museum

I want to share my admiration for beauty and my encounters and impressions with as many people as possible. The Goshoko Kawamura Art Museum was born out of these dreams and wishes. Although it is a small museum, if you open your mind, the works of Lakeside Forest will tell you much more.

Yahaba Onsen

A simple alkaline spring that began to flow in 1963. Effective for neuralgia, joint pain, chronic digestive diseases, etc. The surrounding area is blessed with magnificent nature, including the Horseshoe Stone, which is said to be the footprint of Minamoto no Yoshiie's favorite horse, Nusakake Falls, and Mt. Namsho.

Sannoumi Dam

The dam is located upstream of the Takinagawa River and is a scenic spot with fresh greenery in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall.With a storage capacity of approximately 38.4 million tons, it is the largest agricultural rockfill dam in Japan. In addition, it is a "parent-child dam" connected by two tunnels to the neighboring Kuzumaru Dam (water storage capacity of 5 million tons) in Ishidoriya-cho, Hanamaki City. It moistens the rice fields. Open to the public (May to November) 2nd Saturday and 3rd Wednesday 9:00-noon

Chausudake

The summit, which is 1,578m above sea level and offers a 360-degree view, is one of the best views in Hachimantai. Mountain ranges such as Mt. Iwate, Mt. Hayachine, Mt. Akita Komagatake, Mt. Chokai, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Hakkoda spread out to the right and left. In particular, the shape of Mt. Iwate is impressive, with its gentle curve in the east and the steeply rising peaks in the west.

[Iwate Enjoyment Model Course] Nature Course

[Model course] 2 nights and 3 days trip around the castle town and Hachimantai [Iwate Travel Map] *Times are approximate and assume travel by car and use of expressways. Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association TEL 019-651-0626

[Morioka Hometown Guide] E course

[Model course] ■Course E: Path around the stone walls of Morioka Castle Ruins Park Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes course, guided by Morioka citizens and guided by volunteer sightseeing guides (Morioka Furusato Guide). [Fee] 3,500 yen per guide (1 guide can guide up to 10 people) *Please note that there are costs that are not included in the price. [Contact information] Morioka Tourism and Convention Association TEL 019-604-3305 FAX 019-653-4422 ◆Morioka hometown guide◆ *Please contact us for details.

[Taxi plan] Koiwai Farm 3-hour course

[Tourist taxi] Koiwai Farm/Handmade Village Sightseeing Course by Sightseeing Taxi 【Fee】 Regular car 13,000 yen, Jumbo 21,000 yen [Application/Inquiries] Morioka Station Taxi Information Center: TEL 019-622-5240 [Morioka sightseeing taxi guide website]

[Tekuteku Tour of Morioka] A walking trip through the castle town

[Model course] A half-day course where you can feel the afterglow of the castle town of Morioka. [Morioka sightseeing guidebook] *This course is a model course that allows customers to sightsee on their own using the Morioka central city circulation bus `` Dendenmushi .'' [Contact information] Morioka Tourism and Convention Association TEL 019-604-3305 FAX 019-653-4422

[Taxi Plan] Iwate Reconstruction Support Kitasanriku Course

[Tourist taxi] Approximately 8 hours sightseeing course by sightseeing taxi 【Fee】 Regular car 40,000 yen, Jumbo 64,000 yen [Application/Inquiries] Morioka Station Taxi Information Center: TEL 019-622-5240 [Morioka sightseeing taxi guide website]

[Morioka hometown guide] D course

[Model course] ■Course D Takuboku/Kenji Ai no Michi Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes course, guided by Morioka citizens and guided by volunteer sightseeing guides (Morioka Furusato Guide). [Fee] 3,500 yen per guide (1 guide can guide up to 10 people) *Please note that there are costs that are not included in the price. [Contact information] Morioka Tourism and Convention Association TEL 019-604-3305 FAX 019-653-4422 ◆Morioka hometown guide◆ *Please contact us for details.

[Iwate Enjoyment Model Course] History Course

[Model course] A leisurely 1-night, 2-day journey through world heritage sites and valleys [Iwate Travel Map] Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association TEL 019-651-0626

[Drive course to enjoy early summer scenery] 4 hours 30 minutes course

[Model course] A driving course that takes you around the central prefecture area in early summer. [ Morioka wide area Iwate travel guide ] [Contact information] Iwate Prefecture Morioka Regional Promotion Bureau TEL019-629-6512 FAX019-629-6529

[Enjoy nature experiences on the summer highlands] 4 and a half hours course

[Model course] A 4 and a half hour course where you can fully enjoy nature experiences on the highlands in summer. [ Morioka wide area Iwate travel guide ] [Contact information] Iwate Prefecture Morioka Regional Promotion Bureau TEL019-629-6512 FAX019-629-6529

Let’s go meet the animals! Koiwai Farm

Special feature on Iwate craftsmanship – Iwate craftsmen ②Central/Southern prefecture

2023-2024 Ski Resort & Hot Spring Special – Northern and Central Areas of the Prefecture

Famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the central prefecture area

Morioka Town Walk 2023 Special Feature

Exquisite! Iwate liquor special – Sake [north/center of the prefecture]

Iwate’s autumn leaves & day trip hot spring special feature

Winter events & gourmet 2022-2023 special feature

Morioka & Shizukuishi Nagayama Highway special feature