Morioka (盛岡市, Morioka-shi) is the central city and capital of Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, the largest of the six prefectures in the Tohoku region. The area of ​​the city is 886.47 km², the population is 300,064 people (August 1, 2014), the population density is 338.49 people / km².
Morioka was founded in 1597 by Nobunao, the 26th ruler of the Nambu clan, as a walled city.
Morioka became the capital of Iwate Prefecture on April 1, 1889.

Geographic location
Morioka is located in the Kitakami River basin at the confluence of three rivers: Kitakami, Shizukuishi and Nakatsu. The largest river, the Kitakami, flows through the city in a north-south direction. In the north-west of the city is the active volcano Iwate (altitude 2041 meters). Not far from the mountain is Lake Tazawa (425 meters deep).

Sights and culture
The sights of the city of Morioka include a cherry tree that grew in a crevice of a granite slab. The tree is about 300-400 years old and grows in front of the courthouse. In 1923, the tree was declared a national treasure in Japan.

Built in 1732, Hoon-ji Temple houses 500 lacquered Buddhist statues. It is noteworthy that among them there are statues of Marco Polo and the Mongol Khan Kublai. Now the temple houses the monastic school of Zen Buddhism.

On the grounds of the Mitsuishi Temple (三石, Temple of the Three Rocks) are three large rocks with shackles scattered around them, symbolizing the legend of the origin of the name of Iwate Prefecture. According to legend, the devil once lived here, tormenting the locals. Desperate, people turned to the spirits of Mitsuishi with pleas for help, and the devil was immediately chained to the rocks and promised never to disturb the surrounding population again. As proof of his oath, the devil put his hand on one of the rocks, leaving an imprint on it, which later gave the name Iwate Prefecture (Jap. 岩手, hand on the rock).

The Iwate Bank Building, with its red brick and white granite façade, is an example of architecture from the Meiji period. It was built in the city center in 1911.

Morioka Castle was started by Nambu Nobunao in 1597 and continued until 1633. During the Meiji Restoration, it was destroyed and now only stone walls and moats have been preserved from it. It is currently the site of Iwate Park. monument to the poet Takuboku Ishikawa.

The Hashimoto Museum contains paintings by the artist Hashimoto Yaoji (1903-1979), as well as works in ceramics and metal.

The Morioka Art Museum is a popular attraction, displaying the work of three local masters of art and hosting exhibitions on national and international themes.

Near the birthplace of Hara Takashi, Japan’s first civilian prime minister (1918-1921), there is a house-museum of recent Japanese history with exhibits that belonged to a politician.

The city of Morioka is famous in Japan for its “nambu tetsubin” (iron teapots and other iron products), carved wood dolls, and ceramics.

On June 15, a holiday is held in honor of the end of the sowing of rice, accompanied by a spectacular horse parade.

Hanamaki Matsuri Festival is held annually from September 5 to 7, culminating in the “deer dance”.

Morioka is home to one of Japan’s oldest martial arts, Yawara. The school already existed in the 7th century. The head of the school is a teacher in the 68th generation, Mr. Takahashi.

In 1993, the Alpine Skiing World Championship was held at the Shizukuishi ski resort in Morioka.

Kitchen
Morioka is famous for its noodle dishes (jajamen, ramen, wanko-soba), beer and beef tongue dish (gyutan).