Discovering Morioka

Morioka (盛岡) is the capital of Iwate Prefecture, surrounded by mountains and bathed by numerous rivers, it is a very popular city for tourists.

The city is known for its various styles of noodles, in fact there are three types wanko soba, reimen and jajamen. These dishes can be enjoyed at both specialized restaurants and at restaurants offering local dishes.

Let's enjoy every single bowl of noodles together

Wanko Soba

Each serving contains about a bite of soba and the waiter continues to refill the empty bowl with more noodles until he says he has had enough. The first bowl is eaten plain to enjoy the flavor of the noodles and from the second bowl, toppings can be added. In short, a real challenge to the last bite.

Reimen

Morioka reimen has Korean origins. It is said that it was created by a North Korean resident of Morioka who wanted to recreate the cold noodles he ate as a child. These noodles are made of potato starch and flour, which gives them a slightly glassy sheen. The broth is cold and the toppings that make up the dish are sliced ​​meat, kimchi, a slice of fruit such as pear, apple or watermelon, half a hard-boiled egg and cucumber. This dish should also be a must-have in our tummies!

Jajamen

Jajamen noodles, a variation of udon, are served dry with a meat miso scoop that is a combination of ground pork, onion, dried shitake mushrooms, water, vegetable oil, sake, garlic, ginger, miso, mentsuyu, sugar, ground black sesame, and sesame oil. It is then garnished with cucumber, spring onion, and ginger. After mixing the dish, vinegar, chili oil, or garlic can be added to taste. After finishing the noodles, it is common to crack a raw egg into the dish and ask for chitantan, an egg soup made with the leftover meat miso, raw egg, and hot water.

After filling our stomachs with these delicacies, it was time to visit the city.

What can we see in Morioka?

Morioka Castle

One of the city's main tourist attractions is Morioka Castle Ruins Park, the site of the former Morioka Castle. The castle was demolished in 1874 and left in ruins. All that remains of Morioka Castle today are a few stone walls, but the keep, turrets, and other structures are gone. However, in 1906 the site was cleared and renamed Iwate Park. It is a recreational area for locals and a popular spot to view cherry blossoms. About two hundred cherry trees are now planted throughout the park, which usually bloom in late April to early May. There are also about one hundred plum trees.

Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building

Another historic structure in the center of Morioka is the Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building completed in 1911. The structure reflects an era of the end of the samurai and modernization with a unique style unlike Western or Asian design. Its dignified exterior and beautiful interior featuring great attention to detail in the ornate ceilings and staircases with handrails, have a nostalgic feel.

Koiwai Farm

15 kilometers west of central Morioka is Koiwai Farm, one of Japan's oldest and most famous dairy farms.

Morioka cherry blossoms

The Ishiwarizakura, or rock-splitting cherry tree, is Morioka’s most intriguing and unique attraction, a beautiful 400-year-old cherry tree that mysteriously grows through two broken halves of a granite boulder.

Seasonal celebrations

For a small city, Morioka hosts some remarkably lively and popular festivals, such as the Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival, the Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival, and the Morioka Autumn Festival.

Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival

On the second Saturday of June, the Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival sees 100 horses parade through the streets and hills.

Morioka Pomace Festival

The first four days of August sees the Morioka Sansa Festival, the world’s largest taiko parade, featuring dancers twirling through the streets to the sound of taiko drums and flutes.

Morioka Autumn Festival

From September 14 to 16, the Morioka Fall Festival is held, with float parades and a traditional Yabusame ceremony held at Hachimangu Shrine, where archers shoot at targets from the backs of galloping horses.

Now that we have tasted the various types of noodles and visited the city, all that remains is to find out how to get to Morioka.

How to get there

On the JR Tohoku Shinkansen, a one-way trip on the Hayabusa takes about 2.5 hours. Alternatively, the trip takes about an hour longer on the Yamabiko train, but unlike the Hayabusa trains, the Yamabiko trains also have non-reserved seats.
Iwate Kenpoku, JR Tohoku Bus, and Kokusai Kogyo operate overnight highway buses between multiple locations in Tokyo and Morioka Station. The one-way trip takes about eight hours and costs between 4,100 and 10,500 yen one-way. Online reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.