Morioka
Morioka
Morioka is a city where rivers, mountains, and tradition converge. Once a samurai stronghold of the Nanbu clan, Morioka offers a tranquil blend of nature and history surrounded by peaks like Mount Iwate, and cradled by the Kitakami River.
Sakurayama Shrine
Sakurayama Shrine is a Shinto site that honours the legacy of the Nanbu clan, rulers of the former Morioka Domain. Founded in 1749, the shrine is known as a local “power spot,” offering blessings for health, safety, and prosperity. A prominent feature is the Eboshi-iwa, a guardian rock believed to hold protective spiritual energy.
Iwate Park
Designated one of Japan’s top 100 historical parks, Iwate Park is a tranquil green space that blends historical legacy with seasonal beauty. Its especially popular during cherry blossom season and hosts events like the Ishigaki Music Festival. Designed in 1906, the park offers scenic walking paths, ponds, and monuments as well as preserving Morioka Castle’s stone walls.
Morioka Castle Ruins
The Morioka Castle Ruins are all that remain of the once-mighty stronghold of the Nanbu clan, who ruled the region during the Edo period. Originally built between 1597 and 1633, the castle was known for its rare granite stone walls. Though the main structures were dismantled in the Meiji era, the site was reborn as Iwate Park in 1906, a tranquil space celebrated for its seasonal beauty
Morioka History and Culture Museum
The Morioka History and Culture Museum provides visitors with a journey through the city’s samurai past and traditions. The first floor showcases festival floats, including a towering 9-meter Dashi, and life-sized models from the Chagu Chagu Umakko and Sansa Odori festivals. The second floor delves into the Nanbu clan’s legacy, with historical artefacts, dioramas, and a miniature reconstruction of Morioka Castle.
Images from Morioka
