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Most of my favourite issues to do in Morioka are (far) exterior the town middle. Which isn’t to say I dislike the capital of Iwate prefecture—fairly on the contrary.
On the identical time, it’s no coincidence that Morioka is thought primarily for its position as a hub alongside the Tohoku Shinkansen line, assuming you’ve ever heard of it in any respect. Most foreigners and a big share of Japanese by no means have.
Whether or not you’re planning to remain in Morioka, or are simply curious what to do for those who resolve to cease right here whereas passing by means of, I’ve a sense my Morioka journey information goes to show illuminating.
The place to Keep in Morioka
Staying in luxurious inns will not be one of the crucial well-liked issues to do in Morioka—frankly, it’s not even actually potential. Quite, Morioka is a scorching mattress of primary “enterprise” inns, which supply easy, clear and handy lodging at an inexpensive worth. My favourite examples of those are the Lodge Route Inn, whose rooms supply a shocking view of Mt. Iwate rising over the rationale, and Lodge JIN, which stands simply to the west of Morioka Station.
Different choices do clearly exist. For instance, for those who plan to remain in Morioka some time (which is to say, you need to expertise all the varied excursions I’m about to suggest under), you could possibly hire an Airbnb residence and “dwell” within the metropolis for a number of days or per week. Alternatively, you could possibly keep in one of many nicer inns exterior the town middle, though this could negate a lot of the comfort in basing your self right here within the first place.
What to Do When You Go to Morioka
Keep the night time
No matter what you do in Morioka correct (if something), chances are high you’ll be spending not less than a few nights right here. In consequence, it is best to consider Morioka not a lot because the inserting you’re dwelling for these days, however the place you’re “coming dwelling” to.
Head for the hills
Visiting Mt. Iwate, which towers above the town, will not be surprisingly one of the crucial well-liked issues to do in Morioka. Nonetheless, it’s not the one sport on the town. If you happen to go to in early June, as an illustration, you may hike to the so-called “Dragon Eye” on high of Mt. Hachimantai, which additionally occurs to be a fantastic autumn colour vacation spot.
See Kakunodate in each season
Talking of autumn, it’s only one time of the yr when the Kakunodate Samurai village is at its most stunning—my private favourite occurs to be in mid-to-late April, when the sakura are at full bloom. Be aware that whereas Kakunodate is technically in Akita prefecture, it’s situated proper down the Shinkansen line from Morioka makes it really feel nearer.
Hit the seashore
It’d shock you to study that top-of-the-line issues to do in Morioka is go to the seashore. Right here once more, in fact, that is far exterior the town middle. The truth is, Jodogahama Seaside (my favourite place to see the ocean in Iwate) is definitely close to the coastal metropolis of Miyako, greater than two hour east of Morioka.
Have Jajamen for dinner
Of all of the actions on supply inside Morioka’s metropolis middle itself, consuming Jajamen (thick, udon-like noodles topped with an unpleasant however scrumptious miso paste) has acquired to be on the high of the record. If you happen to don’t observe in my footsteps and having fun with them at Scorching Jaja simply east of Morioka Station, you’ll have loads of different choices.
Is Morioka Price Visiting?
As I’ve tried to spotlight all through this text, Morioka will not be visiting for the sake of visiting Morioka itself. That is despite how a lot I like Jajamen, and the way charming I discover walks alongside the Kitakami River to be. Certainly, whereas the ruins of Morioka Fortress are charming, they pale compared to castles (intact and remnant) obtainable in the remainder of the Tohoku area.
In fact, whenever you separate out issues to do in Morioka itself and give attention to the wonderful sightseeing base the town makes, the reply to this query begins to be clearer. The truth is, Morioka is my vacation spot of selection when visiting the central a part of Tohoku. If you happen to plan to discover wherever not straightforward accessible from Aomori (within the north) or Sendai (within the south), it’s undoubtedly essentially the most handy hub metropolis.
Different FAQ About Visiting Morioka
What to do in Morioka?
Though there are a number of sights to get pleasure from in Morioka metropolis, it’s actually far more of a base for exploring the encompassing. This not solely contains the coastal and mountainous areas of Iwate prefecture itself, however the Kakunodate Samurai village in close by Akita prefecture.
What prefecture is Morioka?
Morioka is the capital and largest metropolis of Iwate prefecture, which is called for Mt. Iwate. Iwate is situated within the central a part of Japan’s northeastern Tohoku area.
What does Morioka imply?
Morioka (Japanese: 盛岡) actually means “affluent hill.” It isn’t to be confused with different locations named Morioka, which despite sounding the identical in English, are completely different in Japanese—森岡 means “forest hill.”
The Backside Line
Of all of the issues to do in Morioka I get pleasure from, only a few of them are inside its metropolis limits. On the identical time, I’ve come to like this Tohoku hub for what it’s, which is simply that: A spot to base your self as you discover Japan’s most underrated area. As is the case for a lot of locations world wide I’ve lived, Morioka’s worth is as a lot in what it’s as the way it feels “coming dwelling” to the town—properly, your vacation dwelling anyway. The easiest way to take advantage of any journey to Morioka? Rent me to plan your itinerary earlier than the subsequent time you go to Japan. It’s like having a customized Morioka journey information within the palm of your hand!
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