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2-night, 3-day sample itinerary around Aomori and Southern Hokkaido
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2-night, 3-day sample itinerary around Iwate and Southern Hokkaido
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2-night, 3-day sample itinerary around Akita and Southern Hokkaido
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3-night, 4-day sample itinerary around Aomori, and Southern and Central Hokkaido.
A trip to get in touch with nature and local culture.
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3-night, 4-day sample itinerary around Southern Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.
A trip with many sightseeing trains and other local trains.
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3-night, 4-day sample itinerary around Southern Hokkaido, Aomori, and Akita.
A trip to learn about the history and culture of southern Hokkaido and northern Tohoku.
Iwate
Iwate Prefecture takes pride in its history and culture. Various kinds of sightseeing spots are scattered around Japan’s second largest prefecture. There is a great deal of delicious local food to entertain visitors, such as “wanko-soba” and “Morioka reimen.”
Iwate
Festivals
History and Culture
Eating
Scenery
Hot Springs
Journey by Rail
Sightseeing in Morioka
Koiwai Farm
Sightseeing in Hanamaki
Festivals
Feel the energy of the Morioka Sansa Odori
The Morioka Sansa Odori is said to have originated in a legend of demon exorcising, as told by the Mitsuishi Shrine. About 35,000 people join this parade, dancing to the energetic rhythm.
Morioka Sansa Odori
(Morioka)
- Access
- Downtown Morioka. (The nearest station is JR Morioka)
- Memo
- Venue : Downtown Morioka, Iwate
Period : Early August - URL
- http://www.sansaodori.jp/foreign/english.php
History and Culture
Visit the World Heritage Site and other historic locations
The World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi represents the golden culture of the Heian period. Iwate prefecture has many sites explaining its history, including the precious historic sites of the Jomon period.
Chusonji Temple
(Hiraizumi)
- Address
- 202, Koromonoseki, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumicho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate
- Tel
- 0191-46-2211
- Access
- About 10 minutes by circle-route bus from JR Hiraizumi Station.
- URL
- http://hiraizumi.or.jp/en/index.html
Motsuji Temple
(Hiraizumi)
- Address
- 58, Osawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumicho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate
- Tel
- 0191-46-2331
- Access
- About 14 minutes on foot from JR Hiraizumi Station.
- URL
- http://hiraizumi.or.jp/en/index.html
Goshono Jomon Site
(Ichinohe)
- Address
- 2, Goshono, Iwadate, Ichinohemachi, Ninohe-gun, Iwate
- Tel
- 0195-32-2652
- Access
- About 10 minutes by bus from Ichinohe Station on IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway.
- URL
- https://visitiwate.com/article/4791
Eating
Enjoy the three great noodles of Morioka and Wagyu beef
Iwate prefecture is blessed with many delicious foods, including high quality farm products made with clean air and water, the best Wagyu beef in Japan, and unique, original noodles.
Morioka Reimen
- Address
- Varies by shop.
- Access
- Varies by shop.
The nearest station is JR Morioka - URL
- https://visitiwate.com/article/4864
Morioka Jajamen
- Address
- Varies by shop.
- Access
- Varies by shop.
The nearest station is JR Morioka - URL
- https://visitiwate.com/article/4860
Wanko Soba
- Address
- Varies by shop.
- Access
- Varies by shop.
The nearest station is JR Morioka - URL
- https://visitiwate.com/article/4866
Maesawa Beef
- Address
- Varies by shop.
- Access
- Varies by shop
- URL
- * Reference
https://visitiwate.com/
Scenery
A fascinating scene of pristine nature
Iwate Prefecture is full of magnificent and mystical scenery, such as beautiful rias coastlines, and the Hachimantai, a mountainous region made by volcanic activity. There are many events and activities held within this natural environment.
Genbikei Gorge
(Ichinoseki)
- Address
- Takinoue, Genbicho, Ichinoseki, Iwate
- Tel
- 0191-21-2111
- Access
- About 20 minutes by bus from JR Ichinoseki Station, plus about 1 minute on foot.
- URL
- https://visitiwate.com/article/4707
Hachimantai Dragon Eye
(Hachimantai)
- Address
- Hachimantai, Iwate (around the top of Hachimantai)
- Access
- About 1 hour and 50 minutes by bus from JR Morioka Station. (to the top of Hachimantai)
- URL
- https://trip8.jp/
Jodogahama Beach
(Miyako)
- Address
- Hitachihamacho, Miyako
- Access
- About 20 minutes by bus from JR Miyako Station.
- URL
- https://visitiwate.com/article/4697
Hot Springs
Rest and relax in the hot springs
Surrounded by mountains and rivers, Iwate prefecture has various kinds of hot springs. Some have a stunning view of the stream, while others are surrounded by a rich natural environment. Each of them has their unique charm for comforting visitors.
Hanamaki Onsenkyo
(Hanamaki)
- Address
- Yumoto, Hanamaki, Iwate, and other locations.
- Access
- About 30 minutes by bus from JR Shin Hanamaki Station.
- URL
- https://www.kanko-hanamaki.ne.jp/en/spa/index.html
Journey by Rail
Taking a train through beautiful Iwate
Iwate has resort trains and local railways that travel through the beautiful natural environment at a relaxing speed. Passengers can enjoy the view and participate in events held during the ride, and also enjoy delicious meals served only in the resort trains.
Sanriku Railway
- Tel
- 0193-62-8900 (Sanriku Railway Company)
- Memo
- Service Area : Kuji Station - Sakari Station
- URL
- https://www.sanrikutetsudou.com/en/
SL Ginga
- Memo
- Service Area : JR Hanamaki Station - JR Kamaishi Station
- URL
- https://visitiwate.com/article/4799
TOHOKU EMOTION
- Tel
- 03-3843-2001 (View reservation center) ※reservation required
- Memo
- Service Area : JR Hachinohe Station - JR Kuji Station
- URL
- https://www.en-aomori.com/activities-048.html
Sightseeing in Morioka
Visiting the nostalgic castle town
Morioka city has prospered as a castle town of Morioka Castle in the Edo period. It is the capital city of Iwate prefecture today. In the corner of this nostalgic town lies an old building that was once used by a great writer.
Morioka Handmade Village
(Morioka)
- Address
- 64-102, Oirino, Tsunagi, Morioka, Iwate
- Tel
- 019-689-2201
- Access
- About 30 minutes by bus from JR Morioka Station.
- URL
- https://tezukurimura.com/
Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Museum
(Morioka)
- Address
- 1-1-25, Nakanohashidori, Morioka, Iwate
- Tel
- 019-604-8900
- Access
- About 12 minutes by bus from JR Morioka Station, plus about 5 minutes on foot.
- URL
- https://www.kanko-hanamaki.ne.jp/en/kenji/index.html
Koiwai Farm
A good time at the farm
Koiwai Farm is a huge farm with 120 years of history and a number of farm buildings registered as a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. Visitors can interact with animals and try some tasty food produced here.
Koiwai Farm
(Shizukuishicho)
- Address
- 36-1, Maruyachi, Shizukuishicho, Iwate-gun, Iwate
- Tel
- 019-692-4321
- Access
- About 35 minutes by bus from JR Morioka Station
- URL
- https://www.koiwai.co.jp/makiba/en/index.html
Sightseeing in Hanamaki
See the world of fairy tales
Hanamaki is the birth place of the fairy tale writer Kenji Miyazawa, who wrote "Night on the Galactic Railroad". There are places of interest related to this famous writer everywhere in the city.
Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum
(Hanamaki)
- Address
- 1-1-36, Yasawa, Hanamaki, Iwate
- Tel
- 0198-31-2319
- Access
- About 2 minutes by bus from JR Shin Hanamaki Station, plus about 15 minutes on foot.
- URL
- https://kanko-hanamaki.ne.jp/en/kenji/index.html
Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura
(Village of Fairy Tales)
(Hanamaki)
- Address
- 26-19, Takamatsu, Hanamaki, Iwate
- Tel
- 0198-31-2211
- Access
- About 2 minutes by bus from JR Shin Hanamaki Station, plus about 2 minutes on foot.
- URL
- https://visitiwate.com/en/article/4801