From Wikitravel

Morioka (盛岡) is in the capital of Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

Morioka is a major train station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line.

The fastest Shinkansen services from Tokyo to Morioka are the all reserved Komachi and Hayate, which normally run coupled together as a single train. The ride takes 2 1/2 hours at a cost of ¥14040 each way, so you may want to consider purchasing a Japan Rail Pass beforehand.

From points west of Tokyo, you can take the Tokaido Shinkansen and switch in Tokyo to the Komachi or Hayate.

[edit] By bus

An overnight bus service, the Rakuchin, runs twice nightly from Tokyo Station to Morioka (about 7 1/2 hours, ¥7850 one way).

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

Morioka has a number of popular festivals.

• Chagu Chagu Umakko, 2nd Saturday of June. A parade of 100 colorfully decorated horses.
• Sansa Odori, August 1-3. Summer dance festival. It has approximately 100,000 participating dancers. After the ceremony, viewers can join in and dance in the street.
• Funekko Nagashi, August 16th.
• Hachiman Shrine Festival, September 14-16.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Nambu Sembei - Morioka's traditional wheat crackers.
• Nambu Ironware
• Chagu Chagu Umakko - Kids' toy horse.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Morioka Reimen (盛岡冷麺) - Spicy Cold Noodles severd with half a boiled egg, kim-chi and slide of either apple, watermelon or both.
• Wankosoba (わんこそば) - Small servings of soba, served "all you can eat".

1. Morioka Jajamen (盛岡じゃじゃ麺) - Chinese Style noodles with miso.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Morioka is a small city, but it offers a number of good drinking options. The water in the area is clean and pure so there are a number of sake breweries. Japanese style 'Izakaya' bars are everywhere, and there are also some German style beer breweries which offer a variety of brews.

• Ootaru, Oodori (15 minutes walk from the station). Japanese-style eatery with Asahi on tap and ¥1500 2.5hr nomihodai (all you can drink) deals. Try the Pizza.

As with most cities in Japan, Karaoke is a good drinking option, especially if you have a large group. Most places are ¥1000 an hour, including drinks. A good place is right off Oodori on the forth floor across the street from Ootaru.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

'FACES' is a western-style and western-owned bar and club near the movie theaters on Eigakan Dori (movie theater street). Great place to meet other English speakers!