Iwate Japan Travel Guide: Top Sights, Food, and Tips for First-Time Visitors
Discover Iwate Prefecture in Tohoku — UNESCO heritage at Hiraizumi, Morioka noodle culture, Geibikei Gorge, and the Sanriku Coast. Easy Shinkansen access from Tokyo.
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Articles about Iwate prefecture — Hiraizumi UNESCO, Geibikei gorge and wanko soba.
Hiraizumi Temple Guide Japan: Chuson-ji, Motsu-ji and the Golden Hall
Complete guide to Hiraizumi UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iwate Japan — Chuson-ji Golden Hall, Motsu-ji garden, admission fees, best time to visit.
Morioka Travel Guide Japan: Best Things to Do, Eat and See in Iwate’s Castle Town
Tucked away in the mountains of northern Honshu, Morioka is one of Japan's most underappreciated cities — and the world is finally catching on. When the New York Times named Morioka #2 in its 52 Places to Go list for 2023, travelers everywhere started asking: what is so special about this castle town? The answer is everything.
Wanko Soba Morioka: Japan’s Endless Bowl Noodle Challenge in Iwate
Imagine sitting down at a low table in Morioka with a kimono-clad server beside you, holding a pot of steaming soba noodles. Before you lift your chopsticks, she drops a tiny mouthful into your bowl and shouts "Hai jan jan!" — and one of Japan's most thrilling food traditions begins.
Geibikei Gorge Boat Tour Iwate: Complete Guide to Japan’s Most Scenic River Ride
There are moments in travel that stop you mid-breath — and gliding through Geibikei Gorge on a flat-bottomed wooden boat, propelled by a single bamboo pole, is absolutely one of them. Towering limestone cliffs rise 50 metres on either side while jade-green waters carry you into one of Japan's most enchanting natural landscapes.