In May and June, Japan’s Tohoku region is lush with new greenery, and the cool weather makes it perfect for a hidden-gem adventure. Follow JR East as you explore the most beautiful Japanese scenery in Iwate. With the JR EAST PASS, you can also exchange for a Nanbu Kodai some-tsuki Japanese hand towel at three tourist information centers across Iwate Prefecture — a handcrafted work of art from Morioka.
Remnants of granite stone walls can be seen at Morioka Castle Ruins Park
Located in the center of Japan’s Tohoku region, Iwate Prefecture features not only mountainous hills but also vast plains, with its magnificent landscapes attracting travelers time and again. Iwate holds significant importance in Japanese history. Morioka, the castle town of the Nanbu Domain with a stipend of 200,000 koku, is now an important commercial and cultural hub in the Tohoku region. It is most famous for literary figures such as Kenji Miyazawa and Ishikawa Takuboku, who have deep ties to Morioka City, adding a rich cultural and artistic atmosphere.
When visiting Iwate, besides exploring the vibrancy and historical sites of Morioka, the Hiraizumi area — aiming to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is also worth a visit. Hiraizumi was the capital established 900 years ago by the powerful Northern Fujiwara clan, who once ruled over northern Japan. Even back then, they created a city as bustling and prosperous as Kyoto, leaving behind many thought-provoking temple ruins. When in Hiraizumi, be sure to visit Chuson-ji Temple, one of the Three Great Sights of Tohoku, and experience the thousand-year charm of this ancient temple that houses numerous treasures from the Heian period.
Chuson-ji is the oldest temple in the Tohoku region
The JR EAST PASS is a special discount pass designed for foreign tourists visiting Japan, allowing free access to all stations on JR East lines — a great way to save money on long-distance travel. Now, when you use the JR EAST PASS to travel through Iwate, you can exchange your pass at three tourist information centers — Hiraizumi Station Front, inside Morioka Station, and Plaza Odette — to get a Nanbu Kodai some-tsuki Japanese hand towel. The reason it’s called “ancient-style dyeing” is to distinguish it from modern dyeing techniques; it refers to towels made entirely by hand using traditional dyeing methods passed down through the ages. You can admire the artisans’ exquisite craftsmanship and take home a piece of Tohoku’s traditional craft.
JR Shinkansen
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