-
-
Chuson-ji Temple
-
Motsuji Temple
-
Ryusendo Cave
-
Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum
-
Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo Hall (Takkoku Seikoji Temple)
-
Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building
-
Morioka Hachimangu Shrine
-
Morioka Handi-Works Square
-
Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center
-
Jodogahama Visitor Center
-
Discover Genbikei Gorge with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)
-
Discover Geibikei Gorge with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)
-
2020-2021 Snow Resort Guide in Japan: Asia’s Winter Wonderland
Areas

What is Iwate?
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.
Spot Ranking
View more
Travel Plans
-
- An itinerary to experience the peace and history of Morioka
- 1days
- If you take a leisurely walk around the charming Morioka City, you are bound to happen upon scenery nostalgic of the city's past. In this plan visitors can enjoy a trip down memory lane as they discover the town by foot and try out the local cuisine. To experience the best of Morioka’s charm, it is best to visit in the spring when the cherry blossoms are out.
-
- A driving plan for enjoying the majestic nature and culture of Iwate
- 1days
- The plan starts at "Ichinoseki” with its wealth of natural beauty interwoven into a natural masterpiece. After being blown away by the natural beauty of Iwate's scenery, visit world heritage historic sites and get in touch with the local history of the area. Set off on a journey that takes you back in time from the current day Hiraizumi into its history-rich past.
-
- A car-touring plan with stories of Tono and Hanamaki, Iwate
- 1days
- This is a plan to explore the area from Tono to Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, which was the stage for various folk tales, such as Kappa (mythical water dwelling creatures) and myths. Enjoy spending a nostalgic day surrounded by the rich nature of Tono and the kindness of Hanamaki, hometown to Kenji Miyazawa.
- Create your own itinerary
Travel Guide
View more-
- Discover Genbikei Gorge with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)
- 2023.01.08
-
- Discover Geibikei Gorge with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)
- 2021.04.21
-
- 2020-2021 Snow Resort Guide in Japan: Asia’s Winter Wonderland
- 2020.12.06
-
- 2020 Top 30 Hot Springs (Onsen) in Japan
- 2020.11.22
-
- From earliest to latest, follow the blooming flowers of cherry blossom 2020
- 2020.03.24
Best Events
Iwate Overviews
Climate
What to Wear
- Jan
-
- Warm Cloth
- Feb
-
- Warm Cloth
- Mar
-
- Warm Cloth
- Apr
-
- Jacket
- May
-
- Long
- Jun
-
- Long
- Jul
-
- Short
- Aug
-
- Long
- Sep
-
- Long
- Oct
-
- Jacket
- Nov
-
- Warm Cloth
- Dec
-
- Warm Cloth
Getting Around
Sitting against a backdrop of fantastic mountains, Iwate's capital city, Morioka, is not only a highlight of the prefecture but a transport hub in the center of the Tohoku region. Flying to Iwate-Hanamaki Airport, visitors can pop over to Morioka on a direct limousine bus in just 50 minutes - or, even easier, take the Tohoku or Akita Shinkansen a couple of hours north to Morioka.
Access
-
How to get to Hanamaki Airport