| Name |
Attraction (Access) |
Rikuchu Coast National Park
(Jodogahama) |
A harmony of white stone beaches and rich blue seas (15 mins by bus from Miyako Station)
|
Towada-Hachimantai National Park
(Hachimantai) |
Japan’s only aspete caldera lake, surrounded by numerous hot-springs (2
hrs by bus from Morioka Station to peak of Mt. Hachimantai) |
| Kurikoma Quasi-National Park |
A mountain park which remains largely untouched (1 hr 40 mins by bus from Ichinoseki Station to Sukawa Onsen hot-spring) |
| Hayachine Quasi-National Park |
The indigenous, edelweiss-like Hayachine usuyukiso grows here (1.5 hrs by bus from Hanamaki Station to start of climbing course) |
| Kuji-Hiraniwa Prefectural Nature Park |
A large silver birch forest is surrounded by vibrant Japanese azaleas (2 hrs by bus from Morioka Station) |
| Sotoyama-Hayasaka Heights Prefectural Nature Park |
You can camp, picnic, and fish around this man-made lake (1 hr by bus from Morioka Station)
|
| Hanamaki Onsen Resort Prefectural Nature Park |
Iwate’s best known hot-spring resort boasts a rose garden, cycle-paths, campsites and much more (25-40 mins by bus from Shin-Hanamaki Station) |
| Yuda Onsen Valley Prefectural Nature Park |
Lake Kinshuko and abundant hot-springs await you here (30 mins walk from Waga-Sennin Station to Lake Kinshuko; 10 mins by bus from Rikuchu-Kawashiri Station to the hot-springs)
|
| Hiraizumi |
Chusonji and Motsuji Temples are National Treasures, recalling the golden age of the Fujiwara family 850 years ago; many Important Cultural Assets are preserved here (10 mins walk from Hiraizumi Station)
|
| Morioka Handi-Works Square |
You can observe and try out traditional techniques used to make Nambu Tekki ironware, ceramics, rice crackers, etc. (30 mins by bus from Morioka Station)
|
| Tsunagi Onsen |
Rows of hotels line this hot-spring resort on the banks of Lake Goshoko (40 mins by bus from Morioka Station)
|
| Iwayama |
An observation tower allows a clear view of Morioka; other attractions include Morioka Zoo set in beautiful natural surroundings, and an amusement park (30 mins by bus from Morioka Station)
|
500 Buddhist Disciples
Gohyaku Rakan |
These wooden, varnished statues displayed at Ho’onji Temple are considered magnificent example of Japanese art (12 mins by bus from Morioka Station)
|
