Download GPX file for this article
39.703611141.152500Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi

Iwate Prefecture (岩手県 Iwate-ken) is in the northeastern Tohoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu.

Understand[edit]

Cities[edit]

Map
Map of Iwate
  • 1 Morioka — The prefectural capital.
  • 2 Hachimantai
  • 3 Hanamaki — Hanamaki is most famous as the birthplace of Kenji Miyazawa and for its onsen.
  • 4 Hiraizumi — once rivaled Kyoto, but now known for two temples and a poet who visited 400 years ago.
  • 5 Ichinoseki
  • 6 Iwaizumi — the town has Ryusendo, one of Japan's three famous caves.
  • 7 Kamaishi
  • 8 Kuzumaki Kuzumaki, Iwate on Wikipedia — has rich nature.
  • 9 Miyako
  • 10 Ninohe
  • 11 Otsuchi
  • 12 Rikuzentakata Rikuzentakata, Iwate on Wikipedia
  • 13 Tono — a small city famous for its folk tales.
  • 14 Tanohata — is proud of Kitayamasaki Cape, seaweed and farm products.

Other destinations[edit]

  • 1 Ryusendo limestone cave Ryūsendō on Wikipedia — located in Iwaizumi, considered one of the three major limestone caves in Japan. It also boasts one of the largest underground lakes in Japan, with crystal-clear water.
  • 2 Appi Kogen Ski Resort Appi Kogen Ski Resort on Wikipedia — one of the best ski grounds in Tohoku, with runs for all levels.

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

Hanamaki Airport (HNA IATA)

By train[edit]

  • The Tohoku Shinkansen barrels through Ichinoseki and Morioka on its way from Sendai north to Aomori.
  • IGR Iwate Ginga Tetsudo It's north train of Iwate
  • JR Yamada Line
  • JR Hanawa Line
  • JR Tazawako Line
  • JR Iwaizumi Line One of JR's least frequent service lines with 3 daily round-trip services between Moichi and Iwaizumi.
  • Sanriku Railway (Kita-Lias Line) runs between Miyako (Iwate) and Kuji.

By bus[edit]

Get around[edit]

See[edit]

Geibikei Gorge in Ichinoseki
  • Visit Geibikei Gorge and enjoy a ride on one of the boats and listen to the singing of your guide. Feed koi carp in warmer weather, enjoy the changing leaves in the fall and the snow in the winter. (Ichinoseki)
  • Explore the remains of the former northern capital (Hiraizumi)
  • Make your way through Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's Top Three caves. (Iwaizumi)
  • Search for kappa in one of the most famous kappa towns (Tono)
  • Walk through art inspired by the books of Kenji Miyazawa in the Miyazawa Kenji Dowa-Mura (Hanamaki)

Do[edit]

Eat[edit]

  • Azumaya you can eat wanko-soba
  • Pyon pyon Sya It's famous for Reimen (cold noodles) shop. There are many chain shops in Iwate and Tokyo.

Drink[edit]

Go next[edit]


This region travel guide to Iwate is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!