Nansho-so

Morioka Castle was built in the 16th century by Nanbu Nobunao, the first daimyo of the area. The castle was used as a residence during its heyday until it was dismantled during the Meiji Period. The area was converted into a park in 1906 and is known today as a popular place to see cherry blossoms in the spring. It is also very pretty in winter when the snow falls on the varied landscape and old castle walls, but it can be slippery and you can expect to trudge through thick snow.

The museum features exhibits about the history of the city, particularly its days as a castle town, but also includes artifacts from early civilizations to modern times. There are also exhibits of the city's festivals, such as the Chagu Chagu Festival. The museum's displays were revamped in 2023 - there's little English language signage, but it offers a free audio tour covering key items. The museum shop has an excellent range of souvenirs.

A Morioka native, Fukazawa was a 20th-century painter of European-style art.