[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] 7 tourist attractions in Morioka! Hey, why don't you come here when you come to Morioka!

``Anonahan'' means ``that one'', and ``Odekunanse'' means ``please come'' in the Morioka dialect.

Among Morioka's many tourist attractions, this article will introduce some of the most recommended.

Ishiwarizakura (inner circle)

"Morioka's cherry blossoms bloom by breaking stones"This is the story of Kanichiro Yoshimura, the main character of the ``Mibu Gishiden'' written by Jiro Asada, who taught children when he was an assistant teacher at a domain school before leaving the Nanbu domain.“Have the spirit to break stones like a stone-splitting cherry tree, and bloom before anyone else.”These are the words I spoke to myself.

The cherry tree that blooms by breaking this stone is an Edohigan cherry tree that is believed to be over 360 years old and grows in the courtyard of the courthouse facing Chuo-dori in the government district.It grows out of the cracks as if it had broken a huge granite stone with its own strength. It produces beautiful flowers every spring.

It is thought that the seeds actually grew by getting into the cracks in the granite that had been cracked by lightning, but the cracks in the stone are said to have widened as the tree grew, and in 1932 it was designated as a national natural monument. Ta.

Around the year 2000, the tree began to show signs of decline, with fewer flowers, but it was treated by an arborist and has since recovered.

In order to protect the branches from the cold and snow of Morioka's harsh winters, we wrap straw ``komo'' around the trunks in late autumn, and to protect the branches from the weight of the snow, ropes are stretched from 13m poles to support the branches. It has become a winter tradition in Morioka.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Ishiwarizakura
• Location: Morioka District Court, 9-1 Maru, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-626-7539
• Business hours: 9:00-18:00
• No regular holiday
• URL: Morioka City official website

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Iwate Bank Red Brick Building (Nakanohashi-dori 1-chome)

This building, built in 1911 as the head office of Morioka Bank, was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, who also designed Tokyo Station.

Later, in 1936, it became the main branch of Iwate Shokusan Bank, the predecessor of Iwate Bank, and from 1983, it was used as a bank as Iwate Bank Nakanohashi Branch until August 3, 2012, and after repair work, it opened on July 17, 2016. It has been open to the public since.

There are large and small multipurpose halls on the first and second floors, and the large hall on the first floor is equipped with a piano and is used for events such as music concerts.

There is a fee to enter the Morioka Bank Zone, where the board rooms, reception rooms, conference rooms, etc. have been restored from when the bank first opened, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of the time.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Iwate Bank Red Brick Building
• Location: 1-2-20 Nakanohashi-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-6221236
• Business hours: Mon./Wed.-Sun. 10:00-21:00, Sun. 9:00-20:00
• Closed: Tuesday
• URL: Iwate Bank Red Brick Building official website

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Zaimokucho Noyo City

Held every Saturday in Zaimokucho, except in the middle of winter, farm ladies bring fresh vegetables, fruits, and pickles, and you can buy them at a bargain price, as well as enjoy local sake and local beer with delicious snacks. It is a city that you can enjoy while walking.

Celebrating 50 years since its start in 2023Many people visit Konoyo every week, and recently the number of tourists who come just for the purpose of Koyoichi has also increased.

The origin of the name Zaimokucho is that the woodyard of the Kitakami River was located in Kitsupushi on the opposite bank, so there were many lumber dealers and business was prosperous there.

Also, due to the good view of Mt. Iwate from this area and the large number of immigrants from Iwate County, the town was once called Iwate Town, but in 1655 it was changed to Zaimoku Town by the Nanbu domain. Ta.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Zaimokumachi Shopping Street Yoichi
• Address: 7-42 Zaimokucho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture 020-0063
• Phone number: 019-623-3845 (Zaimokucho City Executive Committee)
• Business hours: Saturday 15:15-18:30
• Regular holidays: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
• URL: Zaimokucho Yo City official website
• URL: Zaimokucho Yoichi Official Facebook

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Mikoda morning market

What about the Morioka morning market for Morioka citizens? If you ask me, most people will say "Mikoda Morning Market"The more I reply,Morioka citizens' kitchenIt is a morning market where shops open around 4am every morning and many close around 8:30am.

In addition to seasonal fruits, vegetables, and wild vegetables lined up in stores, there are also fresh seafood stores and home-style delicatessen stores.

In addition, there are restaurants that serve delicious morning ramen, large hittsumi (Iwate local cuisine) shops, shops that sell ice cream and sweets, and shops that also serve hot sandwiches and coffee, so you can enjoy shopping while eating breakfast. Masu.

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There is also a greengrocer with delicious handmade soba noodles, a flower shop with fresh flowers, a clothing store, and a beauty salon, making the entire morning market look like a giant supermarket.

Fun and advantageous events planned for each seasonTherefore, it is a good idea to check in advance.

Please note that since you end up buying so much, it can be difficult to take it home, but we recommend that you go by car as there is a large private parking lot.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Morioka Kamikoda Morning Market
• Location: 20-3 Mikodacho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-6521721
• Business hours: Tuesday-Sunday 5:00-8:30
• Closed: Monday
• URL: Morioka Mikoda Morning Market official website

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Morioka History and Culture Museum (Uchimaru)

This museum is located adjacent to Morioka Castle Ruins Park and allows you to learn about the history and culture of Morioka's development as a castle town.

Various materials related to the Nanbu family are on permanent display, and you can learn about the history of the building, from before the establishment of the Morioka clan, through the Edo period, the Meiji Restoration, and the development of Morioka City into what it is today.

You can also experience the culture of Morioka's festivals, such as the Chagu Chagu Umako in early summer, the Morioka Sansa dance in midsummer, and the Morioka floats in early autumn, making it recommended for both Morioka beginners and repeat visitors.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Morioka History and Culture Museum
• Location: 1-50 Morioka City Maru, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-6812100
• Business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-21:00, Sunday 9:00-20:00
• Closed: 3rd Tuesday of every month (the next day if it falls on a public holiday), New Year holidays (12/31-1/1)
• URL: Morioka History and Culture Museum official website

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Morioka Takuboku/Kenji Seishunkan (formerly the 90th Bank Main Branch)

The modern Western-style building of the former 90th Bank Main Branch, built in 1910, is one of Morioka's most representative Western-style buildings from the Meiji era, along with the nearby Iwate Bank Red Brick Building.

hereFormer Morioka Junior High School (currently Morioka Daiichi High School)Materials related to two great literary figures, Takuboku Ishikawa and Kenji Miyazawa, who spent their youth in the area, are on display.

At the cafe ``Akogare,'' named after Takuboku's poetry collection, you can spend a quiet moment reminiscing about the couple's youth while enjoying the aromas of ``Seishunkan Blend Akogare'' and ``Minamata Black Tea.''

Also, music concerts and solo exhibitions are sometimes held in the exhibition hall on the second floor, so it's a good idea to check the official website before visiting.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Morioka Takuboku/Kenji Seishunkan
• Location: 1-1-25 Nakanohashi-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture 
• Phone number: 019-604-8900
• Business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-21:00, Sunday 9:00-20:00
• Closed: 2nd Tuesday of the month (the next day if it falls on a public holiday), New Year holidays (12/29-1/3)
• URL: Morioka Takuboku/Kenji Seishunkan official website

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Iwate Prefectural Museum of Art (Motomiya)

Prefectural Museum of Art opened in October 2001It is located on the opposite side of the lively east exit of Morioka Station, in a quiet area adjacent to a park, about a 20-minute walk from the west exit across the Seinan Ohashi Bridge over the Shizukuishi River.

Tetsugoro Mantetsu, Shunsuke Matsumoto, Yasutake Funakoshi, Takashi HorieSuch,local artistIn addition to exhibiting mainly works by artists, there is also a permanent display of works by up-and-coming artists.

Also,Inside the museum, events are planned to enjoy the fusion of not only art but also music, and concerts are held using the wide, resonant staircase as a stage, with a focus on songs associated with the artists and works on display. This is an art museum that we highly recommend to anyone who wants to experience the culture of Morioka today.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Iwate Prefectural Museum of Art
• Location: 12-3 Motomiyamatsuwa, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-658-1711
• Business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-21:00, Sunday 9:00-20:00
• Closed: Mondays (the next day if Monday is a public holiday), New Year holidays (12/29-1/3)
• URL: Iwate Prefectural Museum of Art official website

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summary

Morioka's tourist attractions areThe New York Times' ``52 Cities to Visit in 2023''Since it was featured in the second place, it has been featured in many media.

The things mentioned here are often introduced in these media, but I would like to once again recommend them as famous places that you should definitely visit to get to know the real Morioka.