This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
Morioka City, the prefectural capital of Iwate Prefecture, is a city that combines old and new, with not only an urban streetscape but also a retro atmosphere
Morioka Castle, with its remaining stone walls, and the Red Brick Museum, which retains traces of the Meiji era, are popular tourist attractions and photo spots
So, this time we will introduce five recommended spots in Morioka City where you can get a feel for history. All of these places are about a 15-20 minute walk from Morioka Station, making them easy to include in your sightseeing route
Morioka Hachiman Shrine
Morioka Hachiman Shrine
Morioka Hachimangu Shrine was built over 300 years ago in 1680, and is a shrine located near Morioka Castle that has continued to watch over the city and its people
There are 12 shrines on the grounds, including the main hall, where various gods are enshrined, including those for prosperous business, matchmaking, and safe childbirth
The main hall, painted in vivid vermilion, enshrines Hondawake no Mikoto, the god of the fundamental necessities of life: food, clothing, and shelter. The decorations, adorned with carved paulownia flowers, are also a highlight
Another feature is the wide variety of goods available, including around 450 types of amulets and the "Everything's Going Well" charm featuring nine horses, which is fun to look at
Morioka Hachiman Shrine <Information>
Name: Morioka Hachiman Shrine
Address: 13-1 Yahata-cho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0872
The museum is housed in the repurposed main building of the 90th Bank, which was constructed in 1910. Inside, you can learn about the works and lives of Ishikawa Takuboku and Miyazawa Kenji, who both spent around 10 years of their youth in Morioka
The building's design reflects the European architectural movement of the time, and is characterized by its combination of brick and granite, a specialty of Morioka. In July 2004, the value of the design was recognized and the building was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan
Admission is free, so it's a good idea to stop by while sightseeing around the Morioka Castle ruins
Morioka Takuboku and Kenji Youth Museum <Information>
Name: Morioka Takuboku and Kenji Youth Museum (former 90th Bank Main Branch)
Address: 1F, 1-1-25 Nakanohashi-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0871
The Iwate Bank Red Brick Building was built in 1911 as the head office building of Morioka Bank. It was designed by Tatsuno Kingo, who also designed the Marunouchi Station building at Tokyo Station, and there is something about it that feels similar to Tokyo Station
The building is divided into the Iwate Bank Zone, which is free to enter, and the Morioka Bank Zone, which requires a fee. The Morioka Bank Zone is the highlight, and costs 300 yen, but you can see the red brick reception room, executive room, and conference room, which have been preserved in the same condition as when the building first opened
Photography is permitted both inside and outside the building for personal use, so it's also recommended as a photo spot
Iwate Bank Red Brick Building <Information>
Name: Iwate Bank Red Brick Building
Address: 1-2-20 Nakanohashi-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0871
This park was developed on the site of Morioka Castle, which was built at the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The castle is surrounded by a variety of trees, and you can enjoy colorful scenery with each season, such as cherry blossoms at the end of April, hydrangeas in June, and autumn leaves at the end of October
Another highlight of the park is the restored stone walls, which are interesting because they are stacked in three different ways depending on the era
Iwate Park <Information>
Name: Iwate Park (Morioka Castle Ruins Park)
Address: 1-37 Uchimaru, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0023
No trip is complete without sampling local cuisine. Sobadokoro Azumaya Honten is a long-established soba restaurant founded in 1907 where you can sample Morioka's specialty, wanko soba
Wankosoba, which can be ordered with a set of condiments and dessert starting from 3,150 yen (tax included), will be served to you by a waitress who will call out, "Hai, janjan. Hai, dondon." as they pour the soba noodles into your bowl
If you eat 15 bowls you will get the price of one bowl of soba noodles, and if you eat 100 bowls or more you will also receive a handprint, so if you are confident in your stomach, it would be a good idea to give it a try and it will be a good memory
They also have a wide selection of regular menu items such as mushroom soba and kakiage tempura soba, so it's also recommended for dining
Soba Restaurant Azumaya Main Branch ＜Information＞
Name: Soba Restaurant Azumaya Main Branch
Address: 1-8-3 Nakanohashi-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0871
Why not take a trip to Morioka, a city full of retro atmosphere?
This time, we've introduced five spots in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, where you can enjoy the charming old-fashioned townscape. The atmosphere of the time of construction remains, and just looking at them makes you feel the passage of time
If you get tired of walking, we recommend enjoying tea in a retro atmosphere and savoring Morioka's specialties. Be sure to use this as a reference for your Morioka exploration
Freelance writer from Miyagi Prefecture. She loves words and letters and is an avid reader who reads over 15 books every month. Her recent hobbies include finding cafes where she can enjoy reading and sweets that go well with books.
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