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We checked out all the cities and towns in Iwate Prefecture, the hometown of players Ohtani and Roki Sasaki!

It's getting warmer from now on, making it the perfect season to travel to Iwate Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture has 33 cities, towns, and villages, each with its own unique characteristics

If you are traveling to Iwate Prefecture from outside the Tohoku region, you will likely visit not just one city or town, but several. However, knowing a little bit about the cities and towns you will visit can make your trip much more enjoyable

This article provides detailed information about the locations and information of cities and towns in Iwate Prefecture

Now you too can become an Iwate expert

Iwate Prefecture has 33 cities, towns and villages

Iwate Prefecture Map

If you look at a map of Iwate Prefecture, you will see that the prefectural capital, Morioka City, is located in the center of the prefecture, while Hiraizumi Town, home to the World Heritage Site "Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage," and Oshu City are located in the southern part of the prefecture

Due to mergers and other such things, you may notice that there are many larger cities than towns or villages

Older people may be more familiar with the old town names than the current city or town names

From here, we will introduce information about Iwate Prefecture

The city with the largest total population in Iwate Prefecture

We will introduce the most populous cities and towns among the 33 cities and towns in Iwate Prefecture

There may be prefectural capitals and city names you are unfamiliar with. We will explain them, taking into account their characteristics

Morioka City

Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association, a public interest incorporated foundation

Morioka Cityis the prefectural capital, andas of February 2023, its population was 285,000. It is the fifth largest city in the Tohoku region, after Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), Iwaki (Fukushima Prefecture), Koriyama (Fukushima Prefecture), and Aomori (Aomori Prefecture).

Google Map

by the New York Times (online edition) in January 2023"52 Places to Visit in 2023"Morioka City is such an attractive city that it was selected as one of the

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
Introducing the charms of Morioka City, chosen as the second best travel destination in the world by the New York Times, from a local's perspective [Iwate Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/19150
On January 12, 2023, The New York Times announced its "52 Places to Go in 2023," ranking Morioka City second only to London, sparking excitement and delight among locals. The article was written by Craig Mod, an American writer who has lived in Japan for 23 years, and he wanted to introduce his beloved Morioka. Mod describes Morioka as "a hidden gem" and "a city with a great flow of energy," and introduces four spots within the city. What are the New York Times' "52 Places to Go?" The "52 Places for Travelers to Go" is published annually and...
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Travelers from all over the world will be visiting Morioka in the future, so be sure to enjoy the city before they arrive

Quote:Morioka City was selected as one of the "52 Places to Visit in 2023" by the New York Times.

Source:Morioka City (Population and Number of Households)

Oshu City

Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association, a public interest incorporated foundation

Oshu City was established on February 20, 2006, through the merger of five municipalities: Mizusawa City, Esashi City, Maesawa Town, Isawa Town, and Kinugawa Village

Google Map

It was the historical center of the ancient Tohoku region, and many ruins remain, including historical buildings left behind by the Oshu Fujiwara clan

Speaking of current topics,the hometown of Angels player Shohei Ohtani. It's recommended for those who want to learn about Oshu City, where he was born and raised, and you might even feel a little closer to Ohtani.

If you are interested not only in Ohtani but also in cultural and historical sites and ruins, why not visit?

Ichinoseki City

Ichinoseki City has flourished as a base city not only in southern Iwate but also in northern Miyagi Prefecture

Google Map

Geibikei GorgeandGenbikei GorgeWith scenic spots likeHiraizumi,it's also an ideal base for sightseeing in

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
The "Flying Dumplings" are a delicious activity worth seeing! [Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/2037
Genbikei Gorge is a famous scenic spot in Iwate Prefecture. Many tourists visit here in search of the famous "Flying Dumplings." This time, we'll focus on Genbikei's popular dumplings. What is Genbikei Gorge? Located in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, Genbikei Gorge is a scenic spot designated as a national natural monument. The tuff deposited by the eruption of Mount Kurikoma (1,652m above sea level), which straddles the borders of Iwate, Akita, and Miyagi prefectures, was eroded by the Iwai River, which flows from the northern slope of Mount Kurikoma. This is Genbikei Gorge. The gorge, eroded over a long period of time, is surrounded on both sides by steep cliffs. Potholes (o...
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As the gateway to Iwate Prefecture, Ichinoseki City is the first destination for many people, and it has good access to other parts of the prefecture, so why not start your trip to Iwate from Ichinoseki City?

Hanamaki City

When you hear the name Hanamaki City, the first things that come to mind are"Kenji Miyazawa"and"Wanko Soba,"right?

Google Map

Miyazawa Kenji is a Japanese poet and children's story writer. He left behind many works based on his hometown, Iwate Prefecture. There is also the Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum, so it's a place you should visit when you visit Hanamaki City

If you think of Iwate as a place known for its wanko soba, try it in Hanamaki. The unique style of eating wanko soba can also be enjoyed as an event, so if you're confident in your appetite, be sure to give it a try

There are many municipalities with numbers in them

If you look at Iwate Prefecture and the neighboring Aomori Prefecture,there are many municipalities and place names that include numbers or the character "戸" (pronounced "he")you'll notice that

Why do city and town names have so many numbers?

Ninohe City, Kunohe County, Ichinohe Town, Ninohe County, etc

Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association, a public interest incorporated foundation

The place names containing "to" (戸), such as Ichinohe, Ninohe, and up to Kyunohe, originatethe "Nukanobu District,"established during the late Heian period under the Oshu Fujiwara clan, was divided into nine districts.

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(Shinohe does not exist today, but it is said that it existed in the past.) The word "he" can be translated into modern Japanese as "gun."

It is said that this was originally the base of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, which was located in an area with the character "to" in it, and that the base was later moved from Esashi to Hiraizumi

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
What is the mystery behind the place names with "to" in them, from Ichinohe to Kunohe? Exploring the origins of the numerical place names scattered throughout the former Nanbu territory!
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507
The area stretching from the Sanpachi-Kamikita region of Aomori Prefecture to northern Iwate Prefecture was once the vast territory of the Nanbu domain, known as Nukanobu. Within this region, there are place names beginning with "To" (he), numbered from Ichinohe to Kunohe. These "To" characters, which are not found in other regions, remain in the names of cities, towns, and villages to this day, with the exception of Shinohe. However, there are various theories about their origin, and the truth is not fully understood. In this article, we will introduce various theories about the origin of place names beginning with "To." The "To" characters scattered throughout the former Nanbu domain...
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Hachimantai City

Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association, a public interest incorporated foundation

Hachimantai City is said to be the birthplace of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, the Shogun who received orders from the Imperial Court to conquer the Emishi in the Tohoku region. He discovered a swamp filled with clear, lapis lazuli water and a place where beautiful alpine flowers bloom, and was deeply moved by its beauty

Google Map

The origin of the story goes that the people felt that the place was like a place where a god lived, so they gathered all their soldiers and prayed to Hachiman Daibosatsu, the god of war, for victory

Hachimantai is a truly mystical place, and it's easy to understand why people believe that Hachiman resides there

Source:Traveler Kazuno (Origin of the name "Hachimantai")

There are many places associated with the Oshu Fujiwara clan

There are many places around Iwate Prefecture that are associated with the Oshu Fujiwara clan, and they are famous for building an urban culture around Hiraizumi

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
[Series 7: The Battle of Zenkunen and the Battle of Gosannen] The bond between the Genji and the warriors of the eastern provinces, the beginning of 100 years of glory for the Oshu Fujiwara clan
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/27596
Minamoto no Yoshiie's army was joined by his younger brother, Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, who came from Kyoto to help his brother out of his predicament. The allied forces attacked Kanazawa Fortress, which was considered impregnable at the time. However, they struggled to take the fortress, so they resorted to starvation tactics. This tactic caused the supplies within the fortress to run out, and the allied forces of Iemori and Takemori set fire to the fortress and fled. However, both Iemori and Takemori were captured and beheaded, resulting in the victory of Yoshiie and Kiyohira's allied forces in the Gosannen War. What are the Zenkunen War and Gosannen War? Gosannen War Picture Scroll, Tokyo National Museum Collection, Source:...
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What kind of relationship is there between the Oshu Fujiwara clan and Iwate Prefecture?

The Oshu Fujiwara clan

The Oshu Fujiwara clan was a powerful clan in the Tohoku region during the late Heian period, and is said to have ruled the entire Mutsu Province area with Hiraizumi as its base city

The family flourished for three generations,Chūson-jiandMōtsū-jileaving behind

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
Motsuji Temple, a World Heritage Site with Japan's oldest Pure Land Garden (Iwate Prefecture)
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/62
Motsuji Temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, is a Tendai Buddhist temple dedicated to a standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha). It is said to have been founded in 850 by Jikaku Daishi Ennin. It is one of the temples in the "Shijikairo" (Four Temple Corridor), which includes Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi, Risshakuji Temple in Yamagata Prefecture, and Zuiganji Temple in Miyagi Prefecture, all of which were also founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin. Link: Michinoku Ancient Temple Pilgrimage "Four Temple Corridor" Motsuji Temple, a Tendai Buddhist temple founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, was founded by Ennin in 850, just like Chusonji Temple. The "Motsuji Temple Grounds with the Remains of the Guardian Shrine" has been designated a Special National Historic Site, and the "Motsuji Temple...".
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The culture left behind by the Oshu Fujiwara clan remains strongly present in the area around Hiraizumi today, and it has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name"Hiraizumi - Architectural, Garden and Archaeological Heritage Representing the Buddhist Pure Land.

The reason for the registration is that a group of buildings built with the Pure Land philosophy that forms the basis of the Fujiwara clan's philosophy still remain

The reason why the Oshu Fujiwara clan flourished

While there are many mysteries surrounding the rise of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, one of the major reasons"gold dust and high-quality horses."cited is

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
Legend of the buried gold treasure of the Fujiwara clan of Oshu! What is Kinkeiyama in Hiraizumi? [Iwate Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/2739
When it comes to buried treasure in Japan, many people may think of the Tokugawa buried treasure, but legends of buried treasure actually exist all over the country. One such legend exists in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. This mountain is Kinkeiyama, a sacred mountain designated as part of the World Heritage Site "Hiraizumi - Architecture, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land." Kinkeiyama and the Legend of Buried Treasure: Located in Hiraizumi Town, Nishiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture, Kinkeiyama is a small, tree-covered hilltop less than 100 meters above sea level. Legend has it that it is a mysterious mountain, "an artificial mountain created overnight to resemble Mount Fuji." This...
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Many people say that the reason Hiraizumi was able to build an urban culture is because it was blessed with these two things

However, some say that this alone is not enough of a reason for their prosperity, and that the northern part of Kyushu and the Tsugaru Peninsula were also gateways for trade with the continent and the Korean Peninsula, so perhaps it makes sense that the Oshu Fujiwara clan prospered

The Fujiwara clan of Oshu and mummies?

If you search for information about the Oshu Fujiwara clan or the Konjikido Hall of Chuson-ji Temple,"mummy."you will likely come across the word

It may sound frightening, but the Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple houses the heads of the successive heads of the Oshu Fujiwara clan - Kiyohira, Motohira, Hidehira, and Yasuhira, who was defeated by Yoritomo

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
[Iwate Prefecture] Chusonji Temple, a World Heritage Site famous as the temple of three generations of the Oshu Fujiwara clan
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/74
Located in Hiraizumi Town, Nishiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture, Chusonji Temple is the head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism in the Tohoku region. It is an extra temple on the Oshu Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, its mountain name is Kanzan, and its principal image is Shaka Nyorai. Chusonji Temple is said to have been founded by Ennin, the founder of the temple, and according to its history, it dates back to 850, when Ennin founded Kanzan Kodaijuin Temple. However, no reliable historical documents or excavation results have been found to date to support Ennin's founding. Essentially, it is believed that in the early 12th century, Fujiwara no Kiyohira, the first head of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, built a large temple complex to house Shaka Nyorai and Taho Nyorai statues...
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Hiraizumi is the only place in Japan where three generations of powerful people have been mummified

It's not possible to see the mummies, but you can visit the Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple, so why not try to get a feel for the atmosphere of that era?

Why not take a trip to Iwate Prefecture, a prefecture rich in nature and history?

We introduced the names of cities, towns, and villages in Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture has many recommended places this year, including Morioka City, which was introduced as a must-visit place in 2023, and Oshu City, the hometown of Angels player Shohei Ohtani

The coming season will be perfect for sightseeing and food, so why not take a trip to Iwate Prefecture?

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