//
Prefecture capital and Core city in Tōhoku, Japan
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Morioka (Japanese: 盛岡) is the capital of Iwate Prefecture. Due to its transport links, it's a good option for a stopover on the way to either Akita or Hokkaido or a base for day trips to Kakunodate and some of the other small towns in the area. The city is also worth visiting in its own right, as there are enough interesting things to see and do for a day or two.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
盛岡城
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.
もりおか歴史文化館
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.
盛岡市先人記念館
A museum with rotating exhibits about people who have been influential in Morioka.
南昌荘
盛岡市子ども科学館
A children's museum with educational science exhibits and a planetarium.
報恩寺
Contains 500 rakan statues.
御薬園
The garden was constructed in the early Edo Period as an herb garden and was later converted into a garden for the local lord. It became a villa in 1908 until the buildings around the garden were turned into a museum. Today the garden is a popular spot to see autumn foliage.
啄木新婚の家
The Takuboku Shinkon House is the former residence of Takuboku Ishikawa, a famous local poet. He lived here as a newlywed with his wife albeit only for less than 3 weeks.
志波城, shiwa-jō
Reconstruction of an ancient jōsaku fort (城柵).
旧中村家住宅
原敬記念館
The former home of Takashi Hara which has been converted into a museum. Takashi Hara was a Morioka native who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1918 to 1921. He is also known for being Japan's first Christian Prime Minister. The building contains documents and personal possessions.
深沢紅子野の花美術館, fukuzawa kōko nonoha no bijutsukan
A Morioka native, Fukazawa was a 20th-century painter of European-style art.
盛岡八幡宮
十六羅漢
大慈寺
石川啄木記念館, ishikawa takuboku kinenkan
Closed for renewal until Dec 2024. A famous tanka poet who was born here in the Tamayama district. The museum has information and displays about him and his poetry.
岩手大学ミュージアム, iwate daigaku myūjiamu
A museum established by the university with a nice botanical garden outside.
盛岡市動物公園, morioka-shi dōbutsuen
The Morioka Zoo a great place to check out the animals in a peaceful surrounding.
This very modern art gallery has an impressive permanent collection (mainly made up of modern art) and hosts interesting special exhibitions, and is well worth the trip from the center of Morioka.
盛岡市総合アリーナ, morioka-shi sōgō arīna
Facility for indoor sports such as futsal, volleyball and table tennis. Until 2015, it was the public skating rink of the city.
盛岡市アイスリンク, morioka-shi aisurinku
The public skating rink of the city, opened in 2015.
盛岡手づくり村 Morioka tezukuri-mura
チャグチャグ馬コ
A parade of 100 colorfully decorated horses.
盛岡さんさ踊り
The much anticipated summer taiko (Japanese drum) festival. Approximately 10,000 participating taiko players, flute players, and dancers parade down the main street, making this the largest taiko festival in the world and listed in the Guinness Book of Records, Odori. After the performance is finished, viewers can join in and dance in the street with the performers as a part of "Wa Daiko". A unique vibe, and absolutely free!
舟っこ流し
東家
Likely the most famous wanko-soba shop in town. There are three outlets, one of which is conveniently just outside the east exit of Morioka station. Highly unusually in Japan, they even have a vegan version.
ぴょんぴょん舎
Famous for Morioka Reimen (cold noodles). There are five outlets in Morioka, one of which is at Morioka station next to Azumaya (above) just in case you didn't get your fill of noodles yet.
アーロンスタンダード
This modern izakaya has a diverse food and drinks menu which you can order from using English language touch screens. The staff are friendly, but don't speak much English.
東横イン盛岡駅前
A particularly nice Toyoko Inn. Opened in 2009 the odd numbered rooms overlook the river and from a high floor you get a nice sunrise. Toyoko Inns will provide a decent, but basic, Japanese style breakfast. Do not expect English to be spoken, but you will be able to get away with basic functions like checking in and out in English. Perfectly serviceable and clean hotel. The chain has another location near the station (Toyoko Inn Morioka-eki Minamiguchi-ekimae).
ホテルルートイン盛岡駅前
A slightly more expensive, but better business hotel option compared to the two Toyoko Inns. Check-in at 13:00, rather than 16:00, a decent breakfast and there is a large communal bathing facility, something that should be enjoyed as often as possible while in Japan.
南部煎餅
Morioka's traditional wheat crackers.
南部鉄器, nanbu tekki
Kids' toy horse.
By train
Morioka is a major Shinkansen (bullet train) station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. It is also a major transit station for regular trains.
By bus
An overnight bus service, the Rakuchin, runs twice nightly from Tokyo Station to Morioka (about 7½ hours, ¥7,850 one way).
By bus
There is a large and sometimes confusing bus centre at the front of the station.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Hanamaki · Regional · HNA
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Morioka and Japan.
Travel tipsCheck if you need a visa for Japan in 2026. Discover visa-exempt nationalities, eVisa eligibility, stay durations, and how to use Visit Japan Web QR codes.
7 min read
Travel tipsPlan for Japan's new travel costs in 2026. Learn about the ¥3,000 international departure tax, tiered hotel taxes in Kyoto, and Mt Fuji trail fees.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
ItinerariesPlan a trip to Japan with kids in 2026. Discover a family-tested 10-day itinerary with theme parks, bullet trains, and practical parenting tips.
8 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.