Wikitravel is having technical difficulties, but the technicians are hard at work fixing it.
Iwaizumi
From Wikitravel
Iwaizumi (岩泉) in Iwate prefecture is the largest town on Honshu — by land area, that is. It's well known for its clear spring water and caves across town.
[edit] Understand
Iwaizumi Town covers a total area of 992.9km2, making it the largest town in mainland Japan. The Kitakami mountains extend to the west, while the Sanriku coast borders the town's eastern side. The town is blessed with an array of fascinating features, including a group of limestone caves, white birches' forests, and the Hayasaka Plateau.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By train
JR Iwaizumi Line serves Iwaizumi from Moichi, the transit station for JR Yamada Line links Morioka and Miyako. However it is extremely infrequent (3 times a day, 1 in AM, 2 in PM) and unless you really are train lovers, it is very difficult to negotiate. Japan Rail Pass is accepted.
If you are on the Sanriku Coast, Sanriku Railway does have a station in the east edge of Iwaizumi Town. Omoto Station is 40 mins away from Miyako (750 yen single). The town council operates shuttle bus service from Omoto into Town via Ryusendo Cave (600 yen single) usually connect train arrival times.
[edit] By bus
JR Tohoku Bus Co. operates a direct bus service (4 times daily) from Morioka Station to Ryusendo Cave via Iwaizumi Town Center. The journey takes 2hrs 10mins. Japan Rail Pass is accepted on this bus service.
Morioka Station - Ryusendo (via Iwaizumi), daily, ¥2590
- From Morioka Station 09:40, 12:40, 14:40, 17:40
- From Ryusendo 05:55, 08:55, 13:30, 16:00
The bus leaves from Morioka Eastside Bus Terminal, Bus Stop No.1. No toilet on the bus, but there's a break at the Mitakai SA along the way. All buses go via Iwaizumi Sanbonmatsu. (8 mins before Ryusendo arrival).
[edit] By car
Another option is to hire a rental car at Morioka station. Driving in this region is less stressful than in cities like Tokyo. National Road 455 is the shortest route from Morioka, passing through picturesque Gando-ko and Sotoyama lakes. Since the new tunnel through Hayasaka Plateau was completed, the journey time has been cut. Morioka to Iwaizumi takes roughly 1.5hrs. (Please note, the road condition may be difficult in Winter, when snow may fall heavily.)
[edit] Get around
There are limited commuter bus links mainly serving for locals connecting between settlements, the town hall and medical center. There are couple of useful services for visitors. One is the line mentioned above, linking between Omoto Station and Iwaizumi Town center, and the other one is to Ryusendo and Sugawatari Caves. Ryusendo can be within walking distance (although 30 mins from town center). All buses start/end at Iwaizumi Station, passing through Sanbonmatsu (8 min away) along the way.
Iwaizumi Sanbonmatsu - Omoto, daily, ¥600
- From Sanbonmatsu 05:58, 06:40, 07:25(*1), 08:05(Sat,Sun, 08:05), 11:06, 12:58, 14:33, 16:30(*1), 17:33, 19:23
- From Omoto Station 06:37(*1), 07:21, 08:42, 09:53, 12:47, 14:10, 15:46(*1), 17:03, 18:52, 20:50
- No mark= Operated by Iwaizumi Un-yu Bus
- (*1)= Operated by Iwate Kenpoku Bus
- Times in bold = via Ryusendo Cave (add 8 mins from Sanbonmatsu)
Iwaizumi Sanbonmatsu - Ryusendo Cave, Mon-Fri, ¥150
- From Sanbonmatsu 08:07(*4), 11:06, 11:30(*3), 11:53(*2), 12:58, 14:33, 14:47(*4), 14:53(*2),16:00(*3), 16:53(*2), 17:33, 17:37(*4), 19:53(*2)
- From Ryusendo Cave 05:55(*2), 07:41(*4), 07:52(*3), 08:55(*2), 09:08, 09:36(*4), 10:19, 13:13, 13:30(*2), 14:36, 16:00(*2), 17:01(*4)
Saturday - Sunday, Public holiday
- From Sanbonmatsu 08:05, 11:06, 11:35(*3), 11:53(*2), 12:58, 14:33, 14:53(*2), 16:53(*2), 17:33, 19:53(*2)
- From Ryusendo Cave 05:55(*2), 08:55(*2), 09:08, 10:19, 13:13, 13:30(*2), 14:36, 16:00(*2)
- No mark= Operated by Iwaizumi Un-yu Bus
- (*2)= Operated by JR Tohoku Bus
- (*3)= Operated by Tanohata Kotsu Bus
- (*4)= Operated by Ogawa Taxi
Iwaizumi Sanbonmatsu - Ankado (for Sugawatari Cave), Mon-Fri only, ¥720 Monday - Friday
- From Sanbonmatsu 08:07, 14:47, 17:37
- From Ankado 07:10, 09:05, 16:30
[edit][add listing] See
- Ryusendo Cave (龍泉洞) A Japanese national monument and one of three largest caves in Japan. From Misawa, take the Momoishi toll road to Hachinohe, and follow Rte 45 to the T-Intersection at the Sega World. Make a right and continue on 45 until you get to Rte 455 (about 85 km). Turn Right onto Rte 455 and follow it to the caves (about 17 km). Entrance is 1000 yen for adults.
- Sugawatari Tankendo Cave (氷渡探検洞)
- Kumanohana Observatory (熊の鼻展望台)
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit][add listing] Buy
[edit][add listing] Eat
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- Ryusendo Hotel (龍泉洞ホテル)
[edit] Get out
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
