Kogensha & Zaimokucho
光原社・材木町
A folk-craft shop named by Miyazawa Kenji, which published his only collection of fairy tales during his lifetime. The Zaimokucho shopping street hosts a lively night market on Saturdays.
Kogensha was founded in 1924 by a schoolmate of Miyazawa Kenji. It began as a publisher and released The Restaurant of Many Orders, the only collection of fairy tales published during Kenji’s lifetime, and Kenji himself chose the shop’s name. Today it is a long-established shop selling Nanbu ironware, lacquerware and Tohoku folk crafts. Several white-walled buildings surround a courtyard, and the café Kahikan is very popular. The Zaimokucho shopping street features a statue of Kenji. From April to November, the Yo-ichi night market is held every Saturday evening, offering local snacks. It is about a 10-minute walk from Morioka Station. The shop sometimes closes around Wednesdays, so please check the official website.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–17:30
Nearby sights
- Kaiun Bridge & Kitakami River
- Ishiwarizakura
- Morioka Castle Ruins Park
- Nanshoso
- Morioka History and Culture Museum
- Mitsuishi Shrine
- Takamatsu Pond
- Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Museum