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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) , and a horse racing track (Auro Park) , making it a place of relaxation for the people of Morioka.
There are two observation decks Kashima Seiichi Memorial Observatory which was completed in 1962
is shaped like a UFO and was built by Kashima Corporation and donated to Morioka City, as the company's first president, Seiichi Kashima, was from Morioka City
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 an observation restaurant, is now a cafe, and also houses a shop called Takuboku Chaya
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
Cafe GEN・KI located below the Iwayama Observatory , opens one hour before sunrise and is a cafe where you can enjoy the view of Morioka shining in the morning glow and the night view from the sunset.
The owner, Mr. Kubota, is originally from Saitama Prefecture and previously ran an izakaya called Kurojoka
Morioka city and Mt. Iwate seen from inside Cafe GEN・KI
One day, he came across the landscape of a rocky mountain and fell in love with its beauty, so in April 2009 he opened Cafe GEN・KI to introduce it as the rocky mountains of the world!
The store is stocked with musical instruments such as pianos, guitars, and drums, and regularly hosts events such as Dawn Concerts
Recommended menu items at Cafe GEN・KI that you'll want to try as a set
"World Rocky Mountain Curry" Set
We recommend the set menu of owner Kubota's pride and joy, " World Rocky Mountain Curry ," and locally produced chiffon cake, along with "Drinkable Yogurt" and the rare " Kurosengoku Soybean
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 Iwayama, has been making this delicious curry for 16 years, and has named it World's Iwayama Curry
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.
This luxurious chiffon cake is made with Morioka-produced " Castle Town Miso
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)
available include Chiffon Cake of the Day, which changes daily
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
Drinks available include Kilimanjaro Coffee, tea, and juices, but be sure to try Kurosengoku Soybean Coffee
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.
Atagoyama, which is located closer to Morioka city center than Iwayama, has the long-established Morioka Grand Hotel located halfway up the mountain, and further up the mountain near the summit Atagoyama Memorial Park , where an observation deck and other facilities were built to commemorate the Emperor's marriage in 1993, when he was still 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 Morioka City Central Community Center at the foot of Mt. Atago, you can enjoy delicious hand-made soba noodles at Gokurakuno, a restaurant famous for its hand-made soba noodles with its
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: Monday
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 enjoy the spectacular views of Morioka city shining in the morning glow, the sunset sinking into the mountains, and the sparkling night view.
Morioka Grand Hotel, located below the Atagoyama Observatory, is a hotel purveyor to the Imperial Household
The view from Grand Boulevard , an authentic French restaurant at Morioka Grand Hotel below Atago Observatory, is also
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
![Morioka Catch](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/c7a073d8f6b974d7b0a83e2318017b73-1-150x150.jpg.webp "The pride of the six Tohoku prefectures: "Magnificent stone walls worthy of being a symbol of the vast Nanbu domain!" Morioka Castle, a rare stone wall castle in Tohoku [Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture]")
