Iwate Prefecture

A vast prefecture in northern Honshu, known for the World Heritage site of Hiraizumi, the castle town of Morioka and the magnificent Sanriku Coast.

Iwate Prefecture lies in northern Honshu and is the largest prefecture outside Hokkaido, with the Ou Mountains in the west and the Pacific Sanriku Coast to the east. In the south, Hiraizumi preserves Heian-period Buddhist remains such as the Golden Hall of Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji, and is World Heritage-listed; the prefectural capital, Morioka, is a quiet castle town known for wanko soba and reimen noodles. There are also sights such as the Geibikei Gorge boat ride and Jodogahama Beach. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves are best, and winter is cold and snowy. The Tohoku Shinkansen runs through the whole prefecture, and there is also Hanamaki Airport.

Destinations

• Morioka
• Hiraizumi
• Miyako & Jodogahama
• Kesennuma

Itineraries

• Classic Tohoku Rail Traverse – Head north from Sendai along the Shinkansen line, connecting Matsushima, Hiraizumi, Morioka, Kakunodate, Hirosaki, and…
• Grand Tohoku Six-Prefecture Rail Loop – Depart from Tokyo and loop through all six prefectures of Tohoku, exploring both the Pacific and Sea of Japan coasts.
• Oku no Hosomichi: Matsushima to Sakata – Follow the Tohoku section of Matsuo Basho's journey, from Matsushima through Hiraizumi and Yamadera to the Dewa Sanzan…
• North Tohoku Lakes, Gorges & Onsen Road Trip – A scenic drive from Aomori through Hakkoda, Oirase, Lake Towada, and Hachimantai to Lake Tazawa and Morioka.