岩手県 · Tohoku Region

Iwate Hidden Gems

A quiet, mountainous prefecture of Buddhist heritage and a rugged Pacific coastline — the second-largest prefecture, and one of the least crowded.

2 spots

Climate & Best Season

Cold winters inland, cool summers on the coast; the Kitakami basin sees heavy snow. Best in late spring and autumn.

Morioka Castle (盛岡城跡公園, now Iwate Park) was built in the early 17th century by the Nanbu clan, who ruled the Morioka Dom…

Motsuji Temple was once larger than Chusonji, containing 40 temple buildings and 500 monks' quarters during the Northern…