Morioka (盛岡)

Morioka (盛岡) is the capital city of Iwate Prefecture, 2.5 hours by shinkansen north of Tokyo. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and blessed with multiple rivers, Morioka is an attractive city and a convenient transportation hub, but lacks a major sightseeing spot. The city is well known for its various styles of noodles, though, and does offer a handful of minor sites of interest.

The "Three Great Noodles of Morioka" are Wanko Soba, Reimen and Jajamen. These noodle dishes can be enjoyed at specialized restaurants and general establishments offering local dishes: Wanko Soba, Morioka Reimen, and Jajamen.

One of the main tourist attractions in the city is Morioka Castle Ruins Park, the grounds where Morioka Castle once stood. The castle was demolished in 1874 and left to waste. However, in 1906 the site was cleaned up and renamed Iwate Park. It is a popular recreation area for the locals and a popular cherry blossom spot.

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