Morioka, the capital of Iwate Prefecture, may be small compared to other cities, but it offers a variety of intriguing sights for visitors. Explore some of Morioka's top-notch art museums or visit the Baeren Brewery for a taste of local craftsmanship. With a rich cultural scene and diverse attractions, Morioka is a delightful city that's worth a visit.
The easiest way to get around in Morioka is either by public transportation or on foot, since the major sights and attractions are easily accessible.
Travelers can opt to buy the following passes to get around:
Dendenmushi Loop Bus 1-Day Pass
Coverage: most touristic attractions in Morioka
Duration: 1 day
Price: 300 Yen
Where to buy: information booth at Morioka Station
Public transportation:
To get from Tokyo to Morioka by public transportation, travellers need to take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. The total travel time is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Valid rail and bus passes:
Rental cars:
We recommend staying here for about one day.
Nearest airport:
The nearest and most convenient airport is Akita Airport
by car: approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes
by bullet-train: approximately 3 hours (bullet-trains available between Akita station and Morioka station)
Cherry blossoms:
The best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan is usually between late March and early April. Although the blooming period can vary slightly from year to year and depending from region to region.
There are several festivals in Morioka throughout the year. Please be advised that the following list is based upon previous entries of those festivals and that the dates might have changed slightly in the following year. It is also possible that the entire festival is cancelled in the case of heavy rainfall or a natural disaster. Please check with the official organisers' website for the most up-to-date information.
For the exact location of any of the festivals listed here, you can consult our map above by clicking on the icon in the upper most corner of the map to open the map legend. Festivals are hidden by default but can be made visible by clicking on the "Festivals" checkbox in the map legend.
Morioka Yuki Akari Festival
Date: February 6th until 8th
Time: 17:00 - 20:00
Jizo Ritual Festival
Date: July 27th and 28th
Morioka Sansa Dance Festival
Date: August 1st until 4th
Morioka Tanabata Festival
Date: August 4th until 7th
Time: 10:00 - 21:00
Morioka Funekko Nagashi Fireworks Festival
Date: August 17th
Time: 16:30 - 20:00 (Fireworks: 19:00 - 20:00)
Morioka Autumn Festival
Date: September 14th until 16th
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