Kitakami River

Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Iwate Park)

The historic site of Morioka Castle, which was the residence of the lord of the Nanbu domain. Morioka Castle was completed in 1633, during the reign of the 28th feudal lord, Shigenao. It was a flat castle that used the Kitakami River, Shizukuishi River, and Nakatsu River as natural trenches, and was also called Fukugata Castle. Today, the stone walls and pond remain, and the park is loved by citizens throughout the year as Morioka Castle Ruins Park. Various trees and flowers decorate the four seasons, including cherry blossoms in the spring, colored leaves in the fall, and a plum grove.

Place of publication of “Shotenchi”

Takuboku Ishikawa left his newlywed home (3-chome, Chuo-dori, Morioka City) where he lived for three weeks after marrying his wife, Setsuko, and moved to Kagano Iki-cho, Morioka City. Takuboku lived here for nine months from July 1908 until he returned to Shibumin as a substitute teacher in March of the following year, and these were memorable days in Takuboku's life. It was also here that he published the literary magazine ``Shotenchi,'' and his thoughts at the time are described in the foreword of his long poem ``Eban Magazine.''

Old missionary hall

It was built in 1920 by the German Reformed Church to house the missionaries sent to Shimonohashi Church, and retains the atmosphere of a pure Western-style building from the Taisho era. You can't go inside, but there is a small park right next to it and there is a signboard about the origin of Osawa River, so please take a short break.