Iwate Prefecture sits in the northern region of Tohoku and is the second largest prefecture in Japan behind Hokkaido. Each city, town, and village has its own unique charm and character, making it well worth setting aside a few days to explore fully.
The inland areas, including Morioka and Hiraizumi, brim with historical townscapes and stunning wilderness from the Kitakami Mountains and beyond.
The Iwate coastline faces the Pacific Ocean and is dotted by ports and restaurants offering a wealth of gourmet seafood dishes. This article will show you some must-visit sightseeing, shopping, and foodie spots to inspire your Iwate trip!
What Kind of Place Is Iwate?
Iwate Prefecture is full of stunning scenery, such as Jodogahama Beach and Geibikei Gorge, along with a wealth of historical and cultural sights including Chuson-ji and Motsuji Temple. There are also plenty of hot spring resort towns to wash away fatigue, each boasting a diverse array of gorgeous accommodations. Iwate is also famous for its abundance of fresh seafood, vegetables, and other produce, yielding delicious local dishes born from the oceans, mountains, and rivers.
Getting to Iwate From Tokyo
There are three main transport hubs for sightseers in Iwate: Morioka Station, Hanamaki Station, and Ichinoseki Station. You can reach them from Tokyo via the following:
Morioka Station
– Bullet Train (Shinkansen): An approx. 2 hr 15 min ride on the “Hayabusa” or “Hayate” JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Morioka Station.
– Highway Bus: An approx. 7 hr 25 min ride on the “Dream Morioka-go” bus operated by Kokusai Kogyo from the Yaesu South Exit at Tokyo Station to the East Exit of Morioka Station.
Hanamaki Station
– Bullet Train (Shinkansen): An approx. 3 hr 5 min ride on the “Yamabiko” bullet train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hanamaki Station.
Ichinoseki Station
– Bullet Train (Shinkansen): An approx. 2 hr 35 min ride on the “Yamabiko” bullet train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Ichinoseki Station.
– Highway Bus: An approx. 5 hr 50 min ride on the Kesen Liner bus operated by Kokusai Kogyo from the West Exit at Ikebukuro Station to Ichinoseki Station.
Morioka Station is best for accessing Morioka City, the Sanriku area, and northern Iwate Prefecture, while Hanamaki Station connects to Hanamaki and Tono, and Ichinoseki Station to Ichinoseki and Hiraizumi. When getting around Iwate Prefecture itself, you can easily use the buses or trains within a city or town. If you wish to visit multip…
