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[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] Enjoy the view of Morioka from above! Introducing the observation deck overlooking the city and the surrounding gourmet food! (Part 1)
[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] Enjoy the view of Morioka from above! Introducing the observation deck overlooking the city and the surrounding gourmet food! (Part 1)
Morioka City is located in a basin surrounded by mountains on all sides, and there are many viewpoints around the city where you can get a bird's-eye view
We will introduce some of these observation decks and driving courses with particularly spectacular views, as well as recommended restaurants in the area where you can enjoy gourmet food
Iwayama Observatory (Top 100 Mountain Night Views in Japan)
Night view of Morioka city from Iwayama Observatory
Iwayama is a small hilly area about a 15-minute drive from Morioka Station. It is a park with well-maintained walking paths and two observation decks offering panoramic views of the city, where the Kitakami River flows, and mountains such as Mt. Iwate and Mt. Hachimantai
Iwayama Parkland entrance
Nearby,there is an amusement park (Iwayama Parkland),a zoo (Morioka City Zoological Park: ZOOMO),a golf course (Morioka Country Club), anda racecourse (Oro Park), making it a popular recreational area for Morioka residents.
which was completed in 1962Seiichi Kashima Memorial Observation DeckThere are two observation decks
The "Kajima Seiichi Memorial Observation Deck" was built by Kajima Construction, the first president of the company, because Kajima Seiichi was from Morioka City, and was donated to Morioka City. Ita UFO-like shapehas
Morioka city as seen from the Kashima Seiichi Memorial Observatory. Unfortunately, Mt. Iwate on the right is covered in clouds. A metal net for padlocks is attached to the handrail
Although it had become increasingly dilapidated, renovation work was completed in July 2018, and the observation deck is now clean and new metal nets have been installed on the railings to which padlocks can be attached as a "proof of love."
Takuboku Teahouse is open only during the day in summer
The rest house, which used to be a restaurant with a view, is now a cafe, andTakuboku Chayaalso has a shop called
Iwayama Observatory ＜Information＞
Facility name: Iwayama Observatory (Kashima Seiichi Memorial Observatory)
Cafe GEN・KI: A rocky mountain oasis with a spectacular view
The entrance to Cafe GEN・KI, with an observation deck above the cafe
located below the Iwayama ObservatoryKissaten GEN・KI, opens an hour before sunrise and is a cafe where you can enjoy views of Morioka illuminated by the morning glow, as well as the night view from sunset onwards.
The owner, Mr. Kubota, is from Saitama Prefecture and previouslyKurojokaran a bar called
Morioka city and Mt. Iwate seen from inside Cafe GEN・KI
One day, he encountered a landscape of rocky mountains and fell in love with its beauty. With the aim of introducing it as "The World's Rocky Mountains!", he opened "Cafe GEN・KI" in April 2009.
The shop is furnished with musical instruments such as pianos, guitars, and drums, and regularlyMusic Concerts at Dawnhosts events such as
Recommended menu items at Cafe GEN・KI that you'll want to try as a set
"World Rocky Mountain Curry" Set
owner Kubota's proud "World Rock Mountain Curry," locally sourced chiffon cake, "drinking yogurt," and the unusual "Kuro Sengoku SoybeanWe recommend the set menu featuring
The World Rocky Mountain Curry is filled with slowly fried onions and stewed pork
The sweetness of onions that have been carefully fried for a long time and the richness of pork that has been simmered slowly are combined with several types of spices, creating a subtle sweetness amidst the spiciness
The owner, who believed in the potential of rocky mountains, has been diligently creating this curry for 16 years,World Rocky Mountain Curryand named it
Iwate Multigrain Miso Chiffon Cake
The one on the left is Iwate mixed grain miso chiffon cake, and the one on the right is banana chiffon cake. Both are moist and delicious
from Morioka,Jokamachi Misorice flour and grains from Iwate Prefecture, and honey from Fujiwara Apiary.
This delicious chiffon cake has a fluffy and chewy texture, a pleasant aroma of miso, and a soft, Japanese-style sweetness and deep richness
Cafe GEN・KI menu (prices as of September 3, 2025)
In addition to the regular chiffon cake,Today's Chiffon Cakethey also offer
In addition, Cafe GEN・KI has been certified as Morioka City's "Delicious Food Ambassador" for this "Iwate Multigrain Miso Chiffon Cake."
Iwate multigrain miso chiffon cake and Kurosengoku soybean coffee
While they offer Kilimanjaro coffee, tea, and juices, we highly recommendKurosenkoku Soybean Coffeetrying
Kurosengoku soybeans, which are particularly nutritious among black beans, were thought to have become extinct, but thanks to the cooperation of JA Hanamaki and others, they have miraculously been revived
It has a distinctive aroma and flavor similar to black bean tea, and when freshly brewed and warm it tastes like tea, but as it cools it develops a coffee flavor
When you add milk, it becomes a delicious coffee that tastes not only like coffee, but also like milk tea or roasted green tea latte
The beans can also be purchased at the store, and the label is designed by Oba Tomio, a representative printmaker from Iwate
Mount Atago, which is closer to the city center of Morioka than Mount Iwayama, has the long-established "Morioka Grand Hotel" on its slopes. Further up, near the summit, is "Atagoyama Memorial Park," where an observation deck and other facilities were built in 1993 (Heisei 5) to commemorate the marriage of the current Emperor, when he was Crown Prince.
The entrance to Atagoyama Memorial Park in front of Morioka Grand Hotel
If you climb the narrow mountain path from the park entrance in front of the Grand Hotel, you will come to a large parking lot, and a short walk from there you will come to an observation deck shaped like a bird with its wings spread
The town buildings seem closer than from Iwayama Observatory (you can see the flowing Nakatsugawa River on the left)
Although it is not as high as Iwayama Observatory and Mount Iwate is hidden, you can get a good view of the clear waters of the Nakatsugawa River that flows through Morioka City, and enjoy the view while feeling closer to the city's buildings
Atagoyama Memorial Park <Information>
Facility name: Atagoyama Observatory
Location: Atagoshita, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture (inside Atagoyama Memorial Park)
Phone number: 019-639-9057 (Morioka City Hall, Urban Development Department, Parks and Greenery Division)
After enjoying the spectacular view of Mt. Atago, enjoy some handmade soba noodles! "Gokurakuno Morioka City Central Community Center Branch"」
The garden of Morioka Central Community Center is a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves, attracting many locals
Located inside the Morioka City Central Community Center at the foot of Mt. Atago, you'll find the Morioka City Central Community Center branch of "Gokurakuno," a famous handmade soba noodle restaurant with its main branch in Shizukuishi, where you can enjoy delicious handmade soba noodles.
Handmade soba noodles and vegetable tempura
The firm, fragrant Nihachi soba noodles go perfectly with the soup, which has a strong soy sauce aroma that is just as strong, and the grated maple syrup adds to the flavor
We recommend using salted plums to bring out the sweetness of the vegetable tempura
Gokurakuno is also known for its delicious tempura, which goes well with the lightly sweet tempura sauce, but we also recommend eating the freshly fried tempura with plum salt, which has a nice sourness from the plums
Handmade Soba Gokurakuno Morioka Central Community Center Store ＜Information＞
Facility name: Handmade Soba Gokurakuno Morioka Central Community Center Branch
Address: 14-1 Atagocho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 019-601-7273
Business hours: Saturday 11:00-16:00, Sunday 11:00-16:00, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:00-15:30
Closed: Mondays
Google Map
summary
The rocky mountain and Atagoyama introduced in this article are located to the east and northeast of Morioka city, and from here you can see the dazzling lights of Morioka city in the morning glow, the sunset over the mountains, and the sparkling night view, all of which are spectacular
Morioka Grand Hotel, located below the Atagoyama Observatory, is a hotel purveyor to the Imperial Household
an authentic French restaurant at the Morioka Grand Hotel located below the Atago Observatory,Grand Veneur,the view from
I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!
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