Eat freshly baked peanut pancakes with grandma & enjoy a full day at the Morioka Handicraft Village

▲ Freshly made and baked Morioka peanut pancakes cooked with an iron clamp.

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Reported from Morioka

From Nanbu ironware and Morioka pancakes to wooden toys, these traditional crafts represent the culture and history of Morioka and nearby Tohoku cities. To ensure these skills are passed down, the Morioka Handicraft Village brings together artisans from 14 different trades. Through exhibitions and hands-on activities, visitors can experience the charm of traditional handicrafts. The village also offers a variety of workshops where you can try your hand at DIY projects and enjoy the fun of creating.

▲ Traditional Morioka handicraft: the Chakuko Chakuko wooden horse.

The Morioka Handicraft Village features exhibition halls dedicated to various traditional crafts such as folk furniture, Nanbu ironware, pottery, and indigo dyeing. Unlike typical static displays, skilled artisans can be seen in each hall carefully crafting their works by hand. Whether it’s the ironware masters forming molds and hammering metal, or indigo dyers adding color to their creations, you can witness their dedication and even hear their inspiring stories. The authentic creative process is both educational and moving.

In addition, there are also exhibition halls featuring local foods such as naengmyeon (Korean cold noodles), wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), and pancakes. Visitors can not only taste and purchase a variety of treats but also watch the artisans recreate the preparation process. Watching pancakes being made or wagashi being shaped right before your eyes makes the food taste even better and adds a special warmth.

▲ A dessert artisan making wagashi.

Besides experiencing Morioka’s traditional crafts through sight, sound, and taste, the highlight of the village is its seven different hands-on DIY workshops. Visitors can learn from artisans in various fields to create their own unique artworks. Whether painting your own pottery at the Kitado Kiln, trying indigo dyeing, or baking pancakes with grandma. Under her careful guidance, you’ll roll out the dough, add peanuts, and bake it for three minutes to enjoy your very own aromatic handmade pancake—fun and delicious！

▲ Freely customizable pottery at the Kitado Kiln.

For those who love DIY activities, the village’s wide range of experiences will keep both adults and children entertained all day. Even if you’re simply exploring and admiring the remarkable craftsmanship on display, it’s a joy in itself. Just in the Nanbu ironware area, you can observe artisans focusing intensely as they sculpt patterns on cast iron kettles—each precise movement reflects years of skill. After taking part yourself or watching closely, you’re sure to gain a deeper appreciation for the specialties of Morioka, Japan.

▲ A master artisan crafting the handle of a cast iron kettle.

Morioka Handicraft Village
Address: 64-102 ~K-Shime Iino, Morioka, Iwate Prefecture
Business Hours: 08:40–17:00
DIY Pricing Reference: Pancake-making ¥100 per piece, DIY workshops start from ¥1,400 per session.

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