We've checked out all the cities and towns in Iwate Prefecture, including Otani and Sasaki Roki's hometowns!

It's starting to get warmer, making it the perfect season to travel to Iwate Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture has 33 municipalities, each with its own characteristics.

If you are traveling to Iwate Prefecture from outside of Tohoku, you will probably visit not just one city, town or village, but several, but knowing a little information about the city, town, or village you are visiting will make your trip much more enjoyable. Probably.

In this article, we will explain in detail the location and information of municipalities in Iwate Prefecture.

With this, you too should be able to become an Iwate connoisseur.

Iwate Prefecture has 33 municipalities

If you check the map of Iwate Prefecture, you will find that Morioka City, the prefectural capital, is located in the center of Iwate Prefecture, and Hiraizumi Town and Oshu City, where the World Heritage Site ``Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage'' is located, are in the southern part of the prefecture. It is located in

Due to municipal mergers, you may notice that there are more cities than towns or villages.

Older people may be more familiar with the old town name than the current city, town, or village name.

From here, we will introduce information about Iwate Prefecture.

Cities with the highest total population in Iwate Prefecture

We will introduce the most populous municipalities among the 33 municipalities in Iwate Prefecture.

There may also be prefectural capitals and unfamiliar city names. We will also explain its characteristics.

Morioka City

Morioka City has a prefectural capital, and as of February 2023, is 285,000. It is the fifth largest city in Tohoku, after Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), Iwaki City (Fukushima Prefecture), Koriyama City (Fukushima Prefecture), and Aomori City (Aomori Prefecture).

Google Map

the "52 places to visit in 2023" that was announced in the New York Times (digital version) in January 2023 , and is perfect for sightseeing in the future.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

Introducing the charms of Morioka City, which was selected as the world's second most travel destination by the New York Times, from a local perspective [Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/19150

On January 12th, 2023, Morioka City was chosen as the second place after London in the "52 places to visit in 2023," announced by the New York Times, and locals are experiencing surprise and joy. The article was written by Craig Modo, an American writer who has lived in Japan for 23 years, and he wanted to introduce his beloved Morioka. Mod describes Morioka as a "city like a hidden gem" and a city with a nice flow of energy," and introduces four spots in the city. What are the "52 places to go" in the New York Times? "52 Places for Travelers to Go" is announced once a year and is out...

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From now on, travelers from all over the world will visit Morioka City. Before that, let's enjoy Morioka City.

Quote: Morioka City was selected as one of the New York Times' ``52 Places to Visit in 2023''

Quote: Morioka City (population and number of households)

Oshu City

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

Google Map

It is the historical center of the ancient Tohoku region, and many ruins remain, allowing you to see the historic buildings left behind by the Oshu Fujiwara clan.

In terms of current topics, many people must know about Otani Shohei's hometown It is also recommended for those who want to know about Oshu City, where he was born and raised, and may even help him get a little closer to Otani.

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

Ichinoseki City

Ichinoseki City has prospered as a hub city not only in southern Iwate but also in northern Miyagi Prefecture.

Google Map

It also has scenic spots such as Geibikei and Genbikei making it an ideal base for sightseeing in Hiraizumi,

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

The specialty of Genbikei, "Flying Dango," is definitely worth a visit! Delicious activities! [Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/2037

Genbikei is a famous scenic spot in Iwate Prefecture. Many tourists visit this place in search of the famous "flying rice cakes." So this time we'll be bringing you a feature on the popular dumplings of Genbikei. What is Genbikei? Genbikei, located in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, is a scenic spot designated as a national natural monument. A valley was eroded by the Iwai River, which flowed from the north slope of Mt. Kurikoma, which spans three prefectures: Iwate, Akita, and Miyagi prefectures. This is Genbikei. The long-eroded valley is surrounded by rough quays on both sides. Pole hole (Oh...

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As the gateway to Iwate Prefecture, many people choose it as their first destination, so why not start your Iwate trip from Ichinoseki City, as it is easily accessible to all parts of Iwate Prefecture?

Hanamaki City

When you hear the word Hanamaki city, the first things that come to mind are Miyazawa Kenji and Wankosoba .

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Kenji Miyazawa is a Japanese poet and fairy tale writer. He has created numerous works with motifs from his hometown of Iwate Prefecture. There is also the Kenji Miyazawa Memorial Museum, so it is a place you should visit when you stop by Hanamaki City.

If you think of Wanko Soba when you think of Iwate, please try Wanko Soba at least once in Hanamaki. Wanko soba, which has a unique style of eating, can be enjoyed as an event, so if you are confident in your appetite, please give it a try.

Many municipalities have numbers.

If you look at Iwate Prefecture and the neighboring prefectures of Aomori Prefecture, you will likely notice that there are many cities and towns and place names that have numbers and todo (pronounced "he")

Why are there so many numbers in city, town, and village names?

Ninohe City, Kunohe District, Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, etc.

The name of the place where "do" is one-to-one, two-to-nenohe... is the reason that it the "Nukanobu District" , and that it is divided into nine districts.

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(There are no Shinohe (Shinohe) now, but it is said that there was one in the past) To replace the word "he" in today's terms means "county."

It is said that the Oshu Fujiwara clan's headquarters was originally located in the Totsuki area, and there is a well-known theory that they later moved their headquarters from Esashi to Hiraizumi.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

What is the mystery of the "place names that take place from the door" from Ichinohe to Kunohe? Explore the origins of place names in the numbers scattered throughout the former southern territory!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507

The area from the Kamikita region of Aomori Prefecture to the northern part of Iwate Prefecture was once a vast southern domain called Nukanobu. In this area, there are place names that are numbered with the ``he'' character, from Ichinohe (Ichinohe) to Kunohe (Kunohe). These ``to'', which are not found in other regions, have remained in the names of cities, towns and villages to this day, with the exception of ``Shinohe,'' but there are various theories about their origin, and the truth is often unknown. I don't understand. In this article, we will introduce various theories about the origin of ``Tono Tsuku place names''. Doors with ``he'' dotted around the former southern territory...

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Hachimantai City

The city of Hachimantai was founded by Sakanoue Tamuramaro, the Great General of the Great Seii, who received orders from the imperial court to conquer the Emishi in the Tohoku region.He discovered a swamp filled with clear azure water and beautiful alpine flowers, and was fascinated by its beauty. I was very impressed.

Google Map

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

Hachimantai is a very magical place, and it makes sense that people would think that Hachiman-sama would be there.

Source: Traveling Kazuno (origin of the name "Hachimantai")

There are many places connected to the Oshu Fujiwara clan.

There are many places around Iwate Prefecture that are connected to the Oshu Fujiwara clan, and it is well known that they built an urban culture around Hiraizumi.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

[Series ⑦: The first nine years of roles and the second three years of roles] The bond between the Genji and Togoku warriors, and the beginning of 100 years of prosperity of the Oshu Fujiwara clan

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/27596

Minamoto no Yoshiie's younger brother Yoshimitsu Minamoto joined Minamoto no Yoshiie's army from Kyoto to help his brother out of his predicament. The allied forces attacked Kanazawa no Saku, which was considered to be impregnable at the time, but they were unable to take down the fence, which was considered to be impregnable at the time, and they began a food raid. As a result of this food attack, the supplies in the stockade ran out, and the Kei and Buei units set fire to the stockade and fled, but both the Kei and Buei were captured and beheaded, and Yoshiie and Kiyohira took over the post of the next three years. Allied forces win. What are the roles of the previous nine years and the latter three years (Zenkunen no Eki and Gosannen no Eki)? Emaki of the Battle of the Third Year, Tokyo National Museum Collection Source:...

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What kind of relationship does the Oshu Fujiwara clan have with Iwate Prefecture?

Who is the Oshu Fujiwara clan?

The Oshu Fujiwara clan was a powerful clan in the Tohoku region during the late Heian period, and it is said that they ruled the entire Mutsu Province from their base in Hiraizumi.

It has been at its peak for three generations, leaving behind Chusonji Temple and Motsuji Temple

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

Mokoshiji Temple, the world heritage site with Japan's oldest garden, the Jodo Garden [Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/62

Motsuji Temple, located in Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, is a Tendai sect temple whose principal image is a standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai, and is said to have been founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 850. It is said to be one of the temples that make up the ``Shijikairo'' that includes Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi, which was also founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, Risshakuji Temple in Yamagata Prefecture, and Zuiganji Temple in Miyagi Prefecture. Link: Michinoku Ancient Temple Pilgrimage "Four Temples Corridor" Motsu-ji is a Tendai sect temple founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin. Motsu-ji is a Tendai sect temple founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 850, similar to Chuson-ji. The shrine grounds attached to the Etsuji Temple Precincts have been designated as a national special historic site.

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The culture left behind by the Fujiwara clan of Oshu is still very strong in the current Hiraizumi area, and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the name of the name being "Hiraizumi - an architectural, garden and archaeological heritage group representing the French land (Pure Land)

The reason for the registration is that the group that was created based on the Pure Land philosophy that was the basis of the Fujiwara clan's philosophy still remains today.

The reason why the Oshu Fujiwara clan prospered

It is a mysterious part, and there are various theories as to why the Fujiwara clan of Oshu prospered, but one of the main reasons is "gold dust and high-quality horses."

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

The legend of the golden buried gold of the Fujiwara clan of Oshu! What is Mt. Kinji in Hiraizumi? [Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/2739

When you think of Japanese reserves, many people may remember the Tokugawa reserves, but the legend of the buried treasure itself actually remains everywhere in Japan. There is also a mountain with such legends in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. This is Mt. Kinji, a mountain of faith, which has been designated as one of the World Heritage Sites: Hiraizumi - Architecture, gardens and archaeological ruins that represent the French land (Pure Land). Mt. Kinki and the Legend of Buried Gold, Mt. Kinkiki is a small mountain that looks like a small hill covered in trees, less than 100 meters above sea level, located in Hiraizumi Town, Nishiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture, and is a mysterious mountain with a tradition that it is an artificial mountain created to resemble Mount Fuji in just one night. this...

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There are many reasons why Hiraizumi was able to build an urban culture because it was blessed with these two things.

However, some say that this alone is a weak reason for the Oshu Fujiwara clan to prosper; in addition to this, northern Kyushu and the Tsugaru Peninsula were the gateways for trade with the continent and the Korean peninsula, so this may be a plausible reason for the Oshu Fujiwara clan to prosper. I don't know.

Mr. Oshu Fujiwara and the mummy?

If you search for the Oshu Fujiwara clan or Chusonji Kinji Temple, you will probably see the word "mummy."

It may have a scary image, but Chusonji Konjiki-do is dedicated to Kiyohira, Motohira, Hidehira, the successive heads of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, and Yasuhira, who was defeated by Yoritomo. )'s head is enshrined here.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

[Iwate Prefecture] Chusonji, a world heritage site famous as the temple of the third generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/74

Chusonji, located in Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture, is the head temple of the Tendai sect of Tohoku. It is the outer temple of the Oshu 33 Kannon temples, the name of the temple is Kanzan, and the principal image is Shaka Nyorai. Chusonji Temple is said to have been founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin.According to the history of Chusonji Temple, it is said that it began in 850 when Jikaku Daishi Ennin founded Sekizan Kodaijuin. However, no reliable historical materials or excavation results have been found to date that support the founding of Jikaku Daishi Ennin, and it is believed that Fujiwara no Kiyohira, the first generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, founded the mountain in the early 12th century. A large-scale temple and pagoda was built to enshrine Shakyamuni Buddha and Taho Nyorai...

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Hiraizumi is the only place in Japan where three generations of Japanese power have been mummified.

Although it is impossible to see mummies, you can visit Chusonji Konjikido, so why not get a feel for the atmosphere of that era?

Why not take a trip to Iwate Prefecture, which is rich in nature and has a rich history?

We have 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 Otani.

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