Must-See

Top Picks

Hokkaido Tohoku Hokuriku
Shinetsu Kanto Tokai Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa Islands SAPPORO TOKYO NAGOYA OSAKA FUKUOKA FURANO KUSHIRO AOMORI SENDAI FUKUSHIMA NIKKO HAKONE SADO TAKAYAMA KANAZAWA ISE KYOTO NARA HIROSHIMA NAGASAKI KAGOSHIMA NAHA

Hokkaido

Hokkaido

Japan's great white north offers wild, white winters and bountiful summers—a haven for dedicated foodies, nature lovers and outdoor adventure fans seeking an adrenaline rush Japan's great white north offers wild, white winters and bountiful summers—a haven for dedicated foodies, nature lovers and outdoor adventure fans seeking an adrenaline rush

Tohoku

Aomori
Akita
Iwate
Yamagata
Miyagi
Fukushima

Fearsome festivals, fresh powder snow and vast fruit orchards—the rugged territory of Tohoku offers a new perspective on travel in Japan Fearsome festivals, fresh powder snow and vast fruit orchards—the rugged territory of Tohoku offers a new perspective on travel in Japan

Hokuriku Shinetsu

Niigata
Toyama
Ishikawa
Fukui
Nagano

An easily accessible slice of rural Japan offering unrivaled mountainscapes and coastlines, endless outdoor adventure and amazing ocean fare An easily accessible slice of rural Japan offering unrivaled mountainscapes and coastlines, endless outdoor adventure and amazing ocean fare

Kanto

Tokyo
Kanagawa
Chiba
Saitama
Ibaraki
Tochigi
Gunma

Jump from the neon glow of Tokyo to Gunma's mountain retreats, Kamakura's cultural heritage and the Ogasawara Islands' exotic wildlife Jump from the neon glow of Tokyo to Gunma's mountain retreats, Kamakura's cultural heritage and the Ogasawara Islands' exotic wildlife

Tokai

Yamanashi
Shizuoka
Gifu
Aichi
Mie

Hallmark attractions such as Mt. Fuji and Takayama coexist with major cities and famous heritage in the center of Japan Hallmark attractions such as Mt. Fuji and Takayama coexist with major cities and famous heritage in the center of Japan

Kansai

Kyoto
Osaka
Shiga
Hyogo
Nara
Wakayama

The Kansai region is one of contrasts, from the glittering lights of Osaka and Kobe to the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara The Kansai region is one of contrasts, from the glittering lights of Osaka and Kobe to the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara

Chugoku

Tottori
Shimane
Okayama
Hiroshima
Yamaguchi

Welcome to Japan's less-explored western frontier, where the weather is warmer and the pace of life is slower Welcome to Japan's less-explored western frontier, where the weather is warmer and the pace of life is slower

Shikoku

Tokushima
Kagawa
Ehime
Kochi

Island-hopping, cycling, soul-warming spiritual strolling and red-hot dancing—the island of Shikoku gets you up and moving Island-hopping, cycling, soul-warming spiritual strolling and red-hot dancing—the island of Shikoku gets you up and moving

Kyushu

Fukuoka
Saga
Nagasaki
Oita
Kumamoto
Miyazaki
Kagoshima

The southern island of Kyushu is home to hot springs, rugged geography, undeveloped beaches and volcanoes ranging from sleepy to smoky The southern island of Kyushu is home to hot springs, rugged geography, undeveloped beaches and volcanoes ranging from sleepy to smoky

Okinawa

Okinawa

Fly to Okinawa and discover a distinct island culture born of subtropical sun, white sand, coral, mangrove jungles and the age of the Ryukyu Kings Fly to Okinawa and discover a distinct island culture born of subtropical sun, white sand, coral, mangrove jungles and the age of the Ryukyu Kings

Things To Do

Top Picks

Helping You Plan

Useful Resources

Must-See
Places
To Do
Plan

TOHOKU Iwate Where rice fields meet World Heritage sites

OVERVIEW

With a rich cultural calendar, vibrant folklore, rugged landscapes and pride in its Tohoku roots, Iwate looms large

Part of the Tohoku region, Iwate overlooks the Pacific Ocean via the Sanriku coastline and is buttressed by the Ou mountain ranges, home to some of Japan's best ski resorts and hot springs. Roughly divided into four distinct regions, Iwate is marked by common themes of nature worship, traditional folklore, and the prefecture's samurai history. Gourmands are drawn to some of Japan's best wagyu beef, rice and sake. The World Heritage Sites in Hiraizumi act as a great starting point for exploration into Iwate’s rich heritage and natural beauty.

How to Get There

The JR Tohoku Shinkansen travels to Iwate each day from Tokyo, Sendai and Hakodate. You can also reach Iwate via local JR trains, highway bus and car. Iwate-Hanamaki Airport services domestic and international carriers.

Ichinoseki is the first stop along the JR Tohoku Shinkansen in Iwate, and takes roughly two hours from Tokyo. It is the closest major city to Hiraizumi, a city famous for its World Heritage Sites. From Ichinoseki you can travel between most major cities in Iwate using the JR Tohoku Shinkansen, or local JR trains, all of which accept the Japan Rail Pass. Iwate's capital, Morioka, is another main transport hub. Major locations are also serviced by buses. Hanamaki Airport handles domestic and limited international flights. The flight schedule changes seasonally, so planning ahead is advised. From Hanamaki Airport you can take local JR trains north to Morioka or south to Kitakami, Hiraizumi and Ichinoseki.

Show more details

Don't Miss

Visiting the Golden Pavilion at Chuson-ji and the other World Heritage sites in Hiraizumi

Viewing the remains of the Hashino iron miring and smelting site, Japan's oldest Western blast furnace

Relaxing at two of the nation's top hot spring areas—Hanamaki and Hachimantai

Exploring the unique rock formations along the coast of Iwate, and Ryusendo cave in Iwaizumi

VISIT IWATE

Spring

Spring brings cherry blossoms, carp streamers, praying for fire prevention, rice paddy art, and a festival for both cows and horses.
Summer

Summer is for hikes up Mt. Iwate or "little Fuji," strolls along the coast, dances with demons, and exploding fireworks.
Autumn

Leaves turn, rice is harvested, and the Fujiwara Fall Festival takes place.
Winter

Iwate's winter brings skiing and other winter pursuits, longevity dances, naked festivals, a soba-eating tournament and a snow festival.