The 10 Best Free Things to do in Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku

December 7, 2021 Misti Hsu

Iwate Prefecture (岩手県, Iwate-ken) is a prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. Located on the main island of Honshu, it contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido. Famous attractions include the Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi, including Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji with their treasures, Fujiwara no Sato, a movie lot and theme park in Esashi Ward, Oshu City, Tenshochi, a park in Kitakami City known for its big, old cherry trees and Morioka Castle in Morioka City.
Restaurants in Iwate Prefecture

1. Kitayama Cape

Kitayama, Tanohata-mura, Shimohei-gun 028-8402 Iwate Prefecture +81 194-33-3248 http://www.vill.tanohata.iwate.jp/kankou/see/kitayamazaki.html
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 84 reviews

Kitayama Cape

Reviewed By yopparai_taro - Yokohama, Japan

It's a 3-hour rental car ride from Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen. It's very far away, but it's worth a visit. I visit every year and it's interesting to see the different views depending on the weather. It is located in the Sanriku area, made famous by the Japanese TV drama "Ama-chan" that was broadcast in 2013 . I also recommend taking a ride on a cute local train from Sanriku Railway. There are several restaurants in the park where you can eat sea uni-don(urchin bowl) and ikura-don(salmon roe bowl). The food is far fresher and tastier than in Tokyo.

2. Jodogahama Beach

Hitachihamacho, Miyako 027-0001 Iwate Prefecture +81 193-63-1327 http://www.j-marine.com
Excellent
48%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 250 reviews

Jodogahama  Beach

3. Tenshochi Park

10 Chiwari Tachibana, Kitakami 024-0043 Iwate Prefecture +81 197-72-8279 https://kitakami-kanko.jp/tourism/tensyochi/
Excellent
45%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 143 reviews

Tenshochi Park

4. Mt. Iwate

Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun Iwate Prefecture http://www.city.takizawa.iwate.jp/mtiwate
Excellent
46%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 111 reviews

Mt. Iwate

Reviewed By khbmnyus - New York City, United States

If you are a fan of Kenji Miyazawa, or Takuboku Ishikawa, the souls and inspirations for their writings came from this mountain.You must experience the trails. The great thing about this mountain is you can make a day trip without a car from Morioka.( you might need to take a cab ) There are several trails to choose, but I took the most popular one from east side approach ( Umagaeshi Trail) Trail head with a good falicilty. It is kind a strenuous , hills are steep, when you have reached to 8 station, there is a hut. Spring water is flowing abundantly , so it is good idea to take a break. and final approach is the hardest.Lava rocks keep you sliding and hard to get a traction until you reach to the gigantic crater rim. the view from the summit is excellent. and if you have a time, on the way back soak in nearby Onsen to finish your day trip. Off course staying overnight is a good idea.spring ,summer, fall, I really recommend to you if you come to Iwate region.

5. Iwate Park (Koen)

1-37 Uchimaru, Morioka 020-0023 Iwate Prefecture http://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/shisei/midori/koen/1010491.html
Excellent
19%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 253 reviews

Iwate Park (Koen)

Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States

This park is medium in size but a very nice place for relaxation though not the standard Japanese Garden type park.

6. Gembi Valley

Iwai-gawa, Ichinoseki Iwate Prefecture
Excellent
27%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 236 reviews

Gembi Valley

7. Matsukawa Geothermal Energy Plant

Matsuo Yoriki, Hachimantai 028-7302 Iwate Prefecture +81 22-222-3998 http://iwatetabi.jp/404.php
Excellent
21%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 34 reviews

Matsukawa Geothermal Energy Plant

8. Takamatsu Park

1-26-1 Takamatsu, Morioka 020-0114 Iwate Prefecture +81 19-639-9057 http://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/shisei/midori/koen/1010492.html
Excellent
35%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 52 reviews

Takamatsu Park

Reviewed By AndraYo - Tokyo, Japan

We stumbled onto this glorious pond surrounded by somei yoshino cherries. Around 3 pm it was uncrowded like Tokyo would be. Many benches for relaxing if walking around the pond. Boats for rental and food stalls but I don't know about this year 2020 with the cancellation of festivals.

9. Hakusan Shrine

Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun 029-4102 Iwate Prefecture http://www.chusonji.or.jp/around/index.html
Excellent
12%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 58 reviews

Hakusan Shrine

10. Morioka Castle Ruins

Uchimaru, Morioka 020-0023 Iwate Prefecture
Excellent
16%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 162 reviews

Morioka Castle Ruins

Reviewed By Annabele_8314 - New York City, United States

Historical place to visit Morioka Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle constructed in 1611. It was the seat of the Nanbu clan, a tozama daimyō clan who ruled over Morioka Domain, Mutsu Province in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. The castle is located in what is now central Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan If you're lucky then you'll see an amazing leaves with all kind of color in Autumn. I was so lucky to see those beautiful season in Japan.

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