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Stay at the unique mountain hotel “Hotel Senjojiki”

Immersive Local Stay in Morioka, Iwate 6 days

Meeting Point: Morioka Station

Finish Point: Morioka Station

Recommended Season: All Seasons

Duration: 6 days

Tour Code:

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Tour Highlights

Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Michinoku, northern Japan’s cultural heartland, with an extended stay in the distinguished city of Morioka.

Experience the vibrant energy of Morioka’s celebrated morning market, a centuries-old institution where local culture thrives in its most authentic form.

Travel to the dramatic Sanriku coastline, renowned for its magnificent seascapes, and the unspoiled landscapes of Nanbu region where you’ll encounter pristine vistas that epitomise Japan’s quintessential rural beauty.

Message from Tour Planner

Morioka, the distinguished capital of Iwate Prefecture, presents an ideal setting for an extended luxury sojourn. This elegant city, nestled where three pristine rivers converge beneath the majestic Ou Mountains, offers an intimate urban experience that perfectly balances sophistication with tradition. Within this thoughtfully proportioned city, centuries-old morning markets pulse with northern hospitality, whilst historic quarters house venerable establishments that have preserved their artisanal crafts through generations. Each cobbled alley reveals another layer of Japan’s rich cultural tapestry. Your five-night residence at our carefully selected hotel serves as a refined base for daily excursions to the dramatic Sanriku Coast and the untouched Nanbu region. Our curated six-day journey includes both guided explorations and leisure days, where our concierge can arrange bespoke experiences. Complement your cultural discoveries with Iwate’s celebrated gastronomy, where each dish tells a story of the region’s abundant natural bounty and culinary heritage.

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Recommended Program

A walk through the castle town Morioka to experience its traditions and history

Morioka, once a castle town of the Nanbu clan, flourished as a merchant city capitalising on the Kitakami River’s water transportation. The New York Times recently ranked it second, following London, in their “52 Places to Go in 2023”. This prestigious recognition highlighted several compelling attributes: its convenient location just two and a half hours from Tokyo, the preservation of traditional Japanese crafts and artisanal expertise, and its warm hospitality, exemplified by local specialities such as wanko soba and a vibrant café culture.

At the heart of the city lies Konya-cho, stretching along the Nakatsu River—an enchanting district precisely as The New York Times described, where historic Western-style architecture harmoniously blends with traditional merchant houses. The striking Red Brick Building of Iwate Bank, a Meiji-era Western-style edifice, was designed by Tatsuno Kingo, the same architect behind Tokyo Station. Behind this landmark, you’ll discover venerable establishments dating back to the Edo period: “Goza-kyu”, a historic merchant house; “Kamasada”, renowned for Nambu ironware; and “Soshido”, celebrated for Nambu purple dyeing—each preserving traditional craftsmanship.

Your exploration, guided by local experts, extends to Nataya-cho, where numerous preserved merchant houses offer authentic glimpses into the daily life of the feudal era.

The Iwate Bank Red Brick Building, built in 1911 (Meiji 44) as the Morioka Bank’s head office. ©Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association (image)
Kitakami River and Mt. Iwate. Morioka is a city of water that developed along with water transportation (image)
Many traditional town houses remain in Natayacho (image)

The Mikoda Morning Market: A Cherished Heritage of Northern Hospitality

In an era where traditional morning markets gradually fade from Japan’s urban landscape, Morioka’s celebrated Mikoda Morning Market thrives with remarkable vitality. Operating more than 300 days annually, this cherished institution springs to life at dawn, when local farmers from surrounding villages arrive with their bounty. The market transforms into a vibrant tapestry of freshly harvested vegetables, seasonal fruits, and artisanal delicacies—homemade pickles and traditional side dishes arranged with meticulous care. Here, the genuine warmth of northern Japan manifests in delightful exchanges with the merchants, many of whom are farmers’ wives carrying generations of culinary wisdom. Each interaction offers a precious glimpse into authentic Japanese rural life, creating memories that resonate long after your visit.

It starts around 5am. A typical morning sight in Morioka: Mikoda Morning Market (image)

Morioka Day Trip ①
Ride the Sanriku Railway and See the Spectacular View of Jodogahama Beach

The newly enhanced route from Morioka to Miyako along the Sanriku Coast has unveiled one of Japan’s most spectacular coastal treasures. At Miyako, the ethereal beauty of Jodogahama Beach—a masterpiece of nature where pure white rocks emerge from crystalline waters—awaits your discovery. Following an elegant luncheon at the distinguished Jodogahama Park Hotel, the afternoon brings a quintessentially Japanese railway experience aboard the Sanriku Railway to Kuji, offering intimate views of this dramatic coastline.

Jodogahama Beach, with its impressive, beautiful coastline © Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association (image)
Between Miyako Station and Kuji Station, you will also board the Sanriku Railway. (image)

Morioka Day Trip ②
Oku-nanbu, the source of domestic lacquer used in national treasure architecture

In the Appi River basin of Oku-Nambu, northern Iwate, the cultivation of urushi (Japanese lacquer) has been an unbroken tradition since the Jōmon period. Today, this region stands as a remarkable testament to this ancient craft, producing approximately 80% of Japan’s domestic lacquer—an increasingly rare and precious commodity. This distinguished lacquer plays a vital role in preserving Japan’s cultural heritage, being essential for the restoration of National Treasure buildings such as Nikkō Tōshō-gū Shrine and the Golden Hall of Chūson-ji Temple. The region’s artistic legacy lives on through Jōhōji-nuri, an exquisite form of lacquerware crafted by local artisans using this precious material. Your cultural journey includes visits to the traditional workshops that form the cornerstone of the “Tales of Oku-Nambu Lacquerware”—an officially designated Japan Heritage site. The experience culminates at Tendai-ji Temple, notable for its association with the celebrated Buddhist nun and author Setouchi Jakuchō. Here, you’ll encounter extraordinary Buddhist artworks, including a rare standing statue of Kannon Bodhisattva, distinctively carved using the traditional nata-bori (hatchet-carving) technique.

Tendaiji Temple: Standing Statue of Kannon Bodhisattva (image)
The production of lacquerware using Joboji lacquer is also thriving. (image)

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Itinerary

2 Days

City

Schedule

Meal
Included

Day 1

Morioka Station

■Tour starst from Morioka Station.

■In the afternoon, arrive in Morioka. Take a bus to explore Nataya-cho and visit the Morioka Machiya Monogatari Museum.

■Afterwards, check into the hotel.

Accommodation : Morioka (5 nights)

D

Day 2

Morioka
(Mikoda Morning Market)
(Walking around Morioka)

■In the morning, we will take those who wish to go to the Mikoda Morning Market.

■In the morning, go sightseeing in Morioka city with a guide on foot and by local bus. We will take you to Morioka Castle Ruins Park, Morioka History and Culture Museum, Iwate Bank Red Brick Museum, and Konoya-cho.

■For lunch, please enjoy local cuisine

■The afternoon is free to do as you like.

Accommodation : Morioka

B

L

Day 3

Morioka

Jodogahama

Miyako Station

Kuji Station

Morioka

■In the morning, travel by bus to Miyako. Visit Jodogahama Beach.

■Have lunch at Jodogahama Park Hotel.

■Travel on the Sanriku Railway from Miyako Station to Kuji Station.

■After arriving at Kuji Station, return to Morioka by bus.

Accommodation : Morioka

B

L

D

Day 4

Morioka
(Japan Heritage: The Story of Oku-Nanbu Lacquer)

■For the whole day, we will visit the sites that make up the “Oku-Nanbu Urushi Story,” which is registered as a Japanese Heritage Site. We will guide you to the Hachimantai City Museum, Tendaiji Temple, and Tekisei-sha.

Accommodation : Morioka

B

L

Day 5

Morioka (free time all day)

■You will have free time to do as you please all day.

■If you wish, we can take you on a stroll around the summit of Mt. Hachimantai using the Hachimantai Walking Bus.

Accommodation : Morioka

B

D

Day 6

Morioka Station

■In the morning, you have free time until check-out.

■Tour ends at Morioka Station

Accommodation : Morioka

B

What’s Included

・hotel in Morioka

・Private guide on Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4

・transportation in this itinerary

・Meal：Breakfast 5 / Lunch 3 / Dinner 3

・Entrance fee at the spots in this itinerary

What’s NOT Included

・Round-trip transportation to Morioka

・Tips for a guide, a driver and others

・All fee for free time

Explanation of marks in the itinerary and approximate times

Explanation of marks in the itinerary:

Meal

Breakfast:

B

Lunch:

L

Dinner:

D

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Travel Conditions

Minimum Number of guests

1 person

Meeting point

Morioka Station

Meals

Breakfast 5 / Lunch 3 / Dinner 3

Guide

Included

Important Notes
  • Unless otherwise specified, the tour will be conducted in English.
  • In case of itinerary revisions, our terms and conditions will apply. Please note the following points in paticular:
    　・The itinerary may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
    　・Accommodations in designeated cities is subject to availability.
    　・The order of the itinerary may change.
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