Morioka Town Walk 2023 Special Feature

*The contents posted are from November 16, 2022 and November 17, 2022.

Morioka Bus Center

Six years have passed since the closure of the former Morioka Bus Center, which was popular for its retro flavor and “emoness.” On October 4, 2020, the long-awaited Shin Morioka Bus Center reopened after renovations.
The two buildings, divided into east and west, are equipped with a bus terminal, bus waiting room, market, food hall, childcare support center, and hotel.
A local hub that connects people with the charm of the region has begun to move strongly.

The entire bus terminal is completely covered by a roof, making boarding and alighting convenient on days when the weather is bad.
In the waiting room, the benches used in the old bus center have been beautifully reupholstered and are still in use.

The Marche is located on the 1st floor of the east building and is a place where you can feel free to stop by and use it not only when using the bus, but also when you are not using the bus.
“Fukuda Pan” is a popular shop that sandwiches the ingredients on the spot. Since we are open from early morning, many people are buying it for breakfast on this day too!

From lunch to drinks at night, this food hall on the second floor of the east building will make you want to crawl around the floor.

The iron logo of the old bus center is displayed on the wall on the second floor! Even the scratches and peeling paint are medals that tell the story of more than half a century of history.

Even after the renewal, the logo design has remained unchanged. It’s very modern and nice.

HOTEL MAZARIUM on the 3rd floor has a spa with an authentic Finnish sauna.
Towels and bath towels are free, so you can use them empty-handed!
If you use a long-distance bus, it’s a good idea to self-serve in the early morning or late at night, or usually on your way home from work.

The walls of the large lounge are filled with wall art created in a workshop to commemorate the opening.
At the attached Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Museum, valuable record jackets and stage costumes are on display.

A sunset view with warm light that makes you feel relieved.
The reborn Morioka Bus Center seems to have lit a light of memory and hope.

From here, a new Morioka story begins again!

＝ Around Konyamachi, Kamecho, Nakanohashi Dori ＝

Konyamachi Banya

The hexagonal gazebo full of Taisho romance has been a beloved symbol of the area for over 100 years.

After its role as a fire station, it was reopened in March 2020 as an exchange and experience facility. You will be greeted by a tasteful space with original granite cobblestone pavement and uniquely warped window glass. Morioka City Landscape Important Building.

Relax with the cafe’s original blended coffee and cake. Handmade paper cutting is retro and cute! In addition to exhibiting and selling craft works, we also hold hands-on classes such as hata weaving. (Holidays only/advance reservation required)

Long-established Shirasawa Senbei shop

When it comes to Iwate souvenirs, the classic one is Nanbu rice crackers.
Established in 1933, our diverse lineup includes traditional “Gomasabei” as well as peanut, pumpkin, walnut, cheese and coffee flavors, all handmade using local Nanbu ground flour.

If you are not sure which one to choose, consult the poster girl!
While talking with Akane, the granddaughter of the founder, Ae Shirasawa, Sobachi was very satisfied with the selection.

Gozaku/Morikyu Shoten

A street lined with elegant lattice doors, with the Nakatsugawa River in the background. Morikyu Shoten, which makes you want to just pop in, is nicknamed “Gozakyu.”
Folk crafts, traditional bamboo baskets, easy-to-use brooms, straw slippers, etc.
It is full of items that are easy to fit into modern life and that you will love.

The historic storefront is an important building in Morioka City’s landscape that still retains the image of a wealthy merchant in the late Edo period.

Iwate Bank Red Brick Building

It was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, who designed the Bank of Japan head office and Tokyo Station, and Manji Kasai, a Morioka native, and was completed in 1909.
After being used as a bank for over 100 years until 2012, it underwent restoration and opened as a public facility in 2016.
The gorgeous corridor surrounding the atrium and the stately interior create an elegant space that will make your heart soar just by placing yourself there.
Sobachi looks small here!

The red brick, white granite, and green dome are very impressive. As a typical landscape of Morioka, it is often depicted on postcards. Nationally designated important cultural property.

Tea room car gate

One of the oldest establishments in Morioka, where the coffee shop culture of the good old days remains. Established in 1950, the classical store, which is a renovated storehouse, allows time to flow slowly.

On this day, I had Hayashi beef rice and my favorite cream soda. The pizza toast is also melty and fluffy.
The original parfait and cream anmitsu are also popular, making this a pure cafe that continues to be loved by generations.

Sakemachi Shopping Street

Hotline Kamecho is the only shopping street in Iwate Prefecture that is an all-weather pedestrian arcade (10:00-21:00).
It originates from the fact that in the past, many merchants dealing in fresh fish and dried goods lived there, and today there are about 80 stores of various categories in an area with a total length of 365 meters.
With the renovation of Morioka Bus Center, it looks like it will become a hot spot again!

Morioka Takuboku/Kenji Seishunkan

When Takuboku Ishikawa and Kenji Miyazawa spent their impressionable youth, Morioka was being reborn as a modern city with modern Western-style architecture.
The former 90th Bank, which was completed in 1903, is also a representative example. Measures were taken to preserve and utilize it, and it took on its current appearance in 2002.
The first floor has permanent exhibitions, and the second floor holds art exhibitions, concerts, and other events. Nationally designated important cultural property.

The light and sound experience room “Subaru” is a space that used to be a vault. Take a 5-minute time trip on the imaginary Galaxy Express.

The tea set at “Kissa Akogare” comes with simple Morioka sweets.

Soba Restaurant Higashiya Main Branch

On November 24, 2020, the Azumaya main store completed its first renovation in 85 years.
“Nanbu Soba Furi” is a simple Kaiseki meal. You can enjoy soba in a variety of ways, including bamboo steamer, kake, buckwheat, and crepe.

The most popular item for lunch is the “Special Katsudon”, which has an exquisite taste that is made with the dashi soup that is unique to soba restaurants and the accent of pepper.
The new store has a counter and private rooms, and is likely to attract more and more customers.

= Around Kataya-cho, Shimizu-cho, Uchimaru =

Upper bridge pseudo-hoju/Nakatsugawa

This bridge was built over the Nakatsugawa River by Toshinao, the lord of the Nanbu domain, at the same time as he built Morioka Castle. The bronze imitation jewels are engraved with the inscription of the Keicho era, and it is extremely rare that so many remain, and they have been designated as important national works of art.

In autumn, you may even see salmon swimming up the Nakatsu River.
With a river running through the town, it is a spot filled with Morioka’s unique castle town feel.

Lala Iwate Morioka store

A shop that sells Iwate’s carefully selected “taste” and “techniques” of local products. Traditional crafts are made into goods perfect for gifts, and seasonal products are available. It’s a place where I look forward to discovering new charms of Iwate every time I stop by.

Attracted by the cuteness of the packaging, I couldn’t help but try this and that…

Morioka Machiya Story Museum

Hatayacho, along the Kitakami River, is an area that once flourished as a key point for boat transport, with its landscape of townhouse-style houses.
Morioka Machiya Monogatari Museum is based on the concept of “encountering nostalgic bustle” and is a renovated sake brewery of the former Iwate River Hatayacho Factory, with six areas where you can “interact,” “see,” “experience,” “eat,” and “buy.” It is a community facility where you can enjoy relaxation and nurturing.

The “Tokyo” of the mother’s house, built in the Meiji period, is the owner’s workplace with a large Shinto altar. It seems that the second floor is not placed on the impressive atrium in order to avoid kicking the owner.
When you go up the stairs to the chest of drawers, there are four Japanese-style rooms on the second floor. I was excited to see the delicate decoration of the fittings and the door to a hidden room.

Taishozo 2nd floor “Time and Space Exhibition Room” is a retro Showa era space. The 1st floor “Toki no Shopping Street” is a shopping and cafe area. I also ate the gelato and was very satisfied!

bonnet bus

Encounter a bonnet bus at Morioka Machiya Monogatari Museum!
This is a popular bus for events and sightseeing around the prefecture.
During the winter, the train takes advantage of its four-wheel drive and operates some sections up to Matsukawa Onsen, which is covered in deep snow.
I’ve been running for 54 years. The retro shape, red lines and wheels make it very photogenic.

Namshoso

It was built around 1888 as the residence of Yasugoro Segawa, a businessman from Morioka who is said to be a pioneer in mining development.

Owners have changed over time and renovations have been repeated over time, but it has a valuable history, including the stay of Takashi Hara and his wife and the welcome garden party held for Hirobumi Ito when he visited Morioka with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Korea. It is a building that has been developed over the years. Morioka City’s protected garden/landscape important building/garden is a registered national monument.

There is something special about looking at the pond-style strolling garden. Many people visit here in search of the beauty of each season, including cherry blossoms, greenery, autumn leaves, and snow. While enjoying matcha and sweets, I enjoyed deepening autumn with Sobachi.

Former Ishii Prefectural Residence

It is the oldest authentic brick building in Morioka and was built in 1880 to 1891 as the private residence of the second prefectural governor, Shoichiro Ishii (currently the prefectural governor). It is a rare Western-style building in Japan with a mixture of styles and designs, and the ivy that covers every wall is also a focal point. It is currently used as a photography studio and art space. Morioka City Landscape Important Building.

*The contents posted are from November 16, 2022 and November 17, 2022.