Port Pickup 8hr Morioka Private Tour Licensed Guide and Vehicle

Morioka Castle Ruins (Iwate Park) marks the site of the former stronghold of the Nanbu clan, who ruled the region for centuries. Today the impressive moss-covered stone walls remain amid a peaceful park of cherry and maple trees, offering a relaxing stroll and seasonal colour in the heart of the city.

The Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building is an elegant Meiji-era landmark designed by the architects behind Tokyo Station. Completed in 1911, its handsome red-brick and granite facade and beautifully restored interiors offer a glimpse of Morioka's early modern prosperity.

Hoonji Temple is a tranquil Zen temple famous for its hall of Five Hundred Rakan - over 490 individually carved wooden statues of Buddha's disciples, each with a different expression. The atmospheric setting offers a quiet, contemplative stop away from the city bustle.

a 350-year-old wild cherry whose trunk grows straight out of a massive split granite boulder. Designated a Natural Monument, it bursts into spectacular blossom each spring.

Its vivid vermilion main hall, spacious precincts and many smaller shrines make it a focal point of local festivals and a peaceful place to experience Morioka's spiritual traditions.

Beside the shrine stands the dramatic Eboshi-iwa, a huge sacred boulder, and the approach is lined with local eateries, making it a characterful stop in the city centre.

Stroll past traditional shops, a historic sake brewery, craft stores and the 'Miyazawa Kenji' monuments, soaking up the nostalgic atmosphere of old Morioka.

Enjoy wide green pastures, heritage barns, freshly made dairy treats and soft-serve ice cream, and seasonal flowers - a refreshing taste of rural Iwate just outside the city.