Iwate

Miyako City

Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, is a port town blessed with the magnificent nature of the Sanriku Coast and fresh seafood. The most famous scenic spot is Jōdogahama, designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The contrast between the sharp white rocks, the green pines, and the cobalt blue sea is praised as being as beautiful as Pure Land Paradise. A mystical experience of touring the Blue Grotto in a small boat (Sappa Boat) on the highly transparent sea is very popular. The fresh seafood landed at Miyako Port is exceptional. You can enjoy seasonal delicacies, especially sea urchin (uni),...

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Iwaizumi Town

Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, is a town attractive for its dynamic underground mysteries and vast nature. The main tourist spot is Ryūsendō Cave, one of the Three Great Limestone Caves of Japan. The transparency of the underground lake is high, and the surface, illuminated to glow with a vivid "Dragon Blue," is breathtakingly beautiful. Exploring the underground lake offers a mystical experience, as if stepping into an otherworldly realm. Furthermore, the coast features the cliffs of the Sanriku Coast, preserving rich nature. Visitors can also enjoy local gourmet foods such as Iwaizumi's fresh milk and landlocked salmon (yamame) raised in...

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Kuji City

Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, is a town in the northern Sanriku Coast known for its rustic charm, having been the setting for an NHK serial TV novel. Its greatest appeal is that it is the only place in Japan where women called the "Northernmost Ama (Sea Divers)" are active. In summer, visitors can observe demonstrations at Kosode Coast where the Ama, in traditional diving attire, dive into the sea to catch sea urchins (uni) and abalone (awabi). This is a valuable experience to encounter traditional Japanese fishing culture. Kuji is also famous as a source of amber, and at the...

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Kuzumaki Town

Kuzumaki Town, located in northern Iwate Prefecture, is known as the "Town of Milk, Wine, and Clean Energy," where livestock farming and dairy farming thrive. Its specialty products include milk from cows raised on the cool highlands, as well as high-quality wine and yogurt made from that milk. At Kuzumaki Kogen Farm, visitors can enjoy cow milking experiences, horseback riding, and barbecues. Another characteristic feature is the magnificent view of wind turbines lined up for wind power generation. It is a place where you can enjoy clean air and delicious gourmet food unique to a farm setting.

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Kamaishi City

Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, is a port town along the Sanriku Coast with a history of thriving as the "Town of Iron and Rugby."The main tourist attraction is the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium (Kamaishi Unosumai Fukkō Stadium), which hosted the $2019$ Rugby World Cup. As a rugby holy ground, it strongly appeals to sports fans. Visitors can also enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Sanriku Coast, feeling the grandeur of the rias coast and the particularly beautiful Tōni Bay.Furthermore, Kamaishi is a hub for the "history of iron," with historical sites that convey its contributions to the development of modern...

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Ōshuku Onsen

Ōshuku Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort located at the southern foothills of Mount Iwate. Legend has it that the spring was discovered about $450text{ years}$ ago when a hawk was observed healing its wounds there, which is the origin of the name.The water quality is a gentle alkaline simple hot spring, boasting abundant water volume and high efficacy, and it has long been popular as a hot spring cure resort (tōji-ba). Near the hot spring town, where ryokans (inns) are clustered, there is Lake Gosho, offering opportunities for lakeside walks and leisure activities. Its relatively close proximity to...

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Hanamaki City

Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, is known as the hometown of the poet and children's author, Kenji Miyazawa, and is home to many related tourist spots. Visitors can experience the worldview of his works at the Kenji Miyazawa Fairy Tale Village and the Kenji Miyazawa Memorial Museum. Furthermore, the Hanamaki Onsen Village in the southern part of the city features charming hot springs such as Ōsawa Onsen and Namari Onsen, which are popular as hot spring cure resorts (tōji-ba). Traditional culture, such as Nambu Ironware and the spectacular Deer Dance (Shishiodori) performed at the Hanamaki Festival held in August, can also...

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Hanamaki Onsen Village

The cluster of hot springs located in the mountains of western Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, along the Daigawa and Toyosawa River, is collectively known as the "Hanamaki 12 Hot Springs" (Hanamaki Jūnitō). This is one of the largest hot spring areas in the Tohoku region, with each hot spring resort possessing a distinct charm. Its greatest appeal is the variety of accommodation options, ranging from traditional hot spring cure inns (tōji-yado) to large resort hotels, allowing visitors to choose according to their travel purpose. Historically rich and charming hot springs are particularly popular, such as Namari Onsen, famous for its...

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Karumai Town

Karumai Town, located in northern Iwate Prefecture, is a highland town surrounded by abundant nature. This town is known as the birthplace of Haruichi Furudate, the author of the popular volleyball manga "Haikyu!!" Places that served as models for the high school, gymnasium, and school routes appearing in the work are scattered throughout the town, making it a pilgrimage site visited by many "Haikyu!!" fans. Leveraging its cool climate, the town is known for the active production of millet and other grains as its specialty product.

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Nishiwaga Town

Nishiwaga Town, located on the border with Akita Prefecture in Iwate, is a town characterized by rich nature, hot springs, and a unique culture born of its status as a heavy snowfall area. The main tourist attraction is the Yuda Onsen Gorge, which is steeped in the atmosphere of a secluded hot spring (hitō). Inns are scattered along the river, offering distinctive hot springs such as the historic Yukawa Onsen and Sawauchi Onsen, where the culture of hot spring cure (tōji) still remains. Kinshūko Lake, located in the center of the town, creates a particularly beautiful landscape as the fresh...

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Rikuzentakata City

Rikuzentakata City is a town on the Sanriku Coast of Iwate Prefecture that has been reborn as a new tourist destination following its reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The "Miracle Pine Tree" (Kiseki no Ipponmatsu), a single pine tree that narrowly survived as an earthquake relic, is a symbol of recovery visited by many people from both Japan and abroad. The adjacent Takata Matsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park also houses facilities that convey the memory of the disaster. Furthermore, the restoration of Takata Matsubara, a scenic spot with beautiful white sands, is underway, and it is cherished as...

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Ōshū City

Ōshū City is a town where history and culture breathe, known as the ancestral home of Fujiwara no Kiyohira, the founder of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan that flourished at the end of the Heian Period. The main tourist attraction is the theme park facility, "Esashi Fujiwara Heritage Park." The townscape of the Heian Period is faithfully reproduced here, and it is frequently used as a location for historical dramas and NHK Taiga Dramas. Ōshū City is also famous as the production center of Iwayadō Tansu (chests/dressers), a traditional craft alongside Nambu Ironware. Furthermore, Maesawa Beef, regarded as the highest quality...

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Morioka City

Morioka City, the prefectural capital of Iwate, is a city where history, culture, and cuisine converge. The city center features the remnants of the feudal domain era, such as Morioka Castle Ruin Park (Iwate Park), set against the magnificent backdrop of Mount Iwate, along with nostalgic, retro streets along the picturesque Nakatsu River. Historical buildings like the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building, which is a National Important Cultural Property, are also highlights. Gastronomically, the "Three Great Noodles of Morioka"—Wanko Soba, Morioka Reimen (cold noodles), and Morioka Jajamen—are famous. The city is also known for its connections to the beloved poet...

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Iwate Prefecture

Iwate is rich in both history and natural charm. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji in Hiraizumi, admire the Sanriku Coast’s dramatic cliffs, and enjoy regional flavors like wanko soba and Morioka cold noodles. From hot springs to ski resorts, Iwate offers beauty and relaxation in every season.

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Hachimantai City

Hachimantai City in Iwate Prefecture is a region blessed with magnificent nature and hot springs. The Hachimantai Aspite Line, which connects Iwate and Akita, is a scenic driving route particularly famous for its Snow Corridor in spring and its stunning autumn foliage. Nearby are scenic spots such as Hachiman-numa Pond, with its beautiful emerald green lake, and Ōnuma Pond, where hot spring steam can be observed. The area also boasts a variety of attractive hot springs, including hidden gems (hitō) like Matsukawa Onsen and Tōshichi Onsen. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year, such as skiing in winter and...

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