Kaiun Bridge & Kitakami River
開運橋
An arch bridge over the Kitakami River in front of Morioka Station. On clear days, Mount Iwate can be seen in the distance, and the bridge is known as the bridge of two tears for people who leave and arrive.
Kaiun Bridge connects Morioka Station with the city centre and is the first view visitors encounter in Morioka. Looking north from the bridge, the wide river where the Kitakami and Shizukuishi rivers meet leads to Mount Iwate, the “Nanbu Fuji,” which is especially striking when snow-capped in winter. A saying about the bridge holds that outsiders assigned to work here weep when they first arrive in this remote place, and weep again when they leave out of reluctance. Riverside paths run along the Kitakami, with cherry blossoms in spring and swans in winter. The bridge is free to visit and is about a 5-minute walk from the station exit.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Kogensha & Zaimokucho
- Morioka Castle Ruins Park
- Nanshoso
- Ishiwarizakura
- Morioka History and Culture Museum
- Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Museum
- Iwate Bank Red Brick Building
- Mitsuishi Shrine