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Japan

Morioka

Administrative territorial entity Big city City City for international conferences and tourism City of Japan City with public health center Core cities of Japan Inland city Locality Prefectural capital of Japan

Morioka, Capital city in Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Description

Morioka is a prefectural capital in Iwate, northern Japan, situated where three rivers meet. Mountains surround the city on all sides, forming a natural boundary to the wider region.

History

The Nambu clan built a castle here during feudal times and administered the region for several centuries. The fortress served as a military center and helped control the northern territories.

Culture

The Sansa Festival in August brings thousands of taiko drummers and dancers into the streets, performing traditional rhythms and movements. The performance is often accompanied by spectators clapping and singing along from the sidewalks.

Practical

The Tohoku Shinkansen line connects the city to Tokyo in under three hours, making it a key transport hub for the north. Local trains and buses serve surrounding areas and smaller towns throughout the prefecture.

Did you know?

Local cuisine offers wanko soba, where servers refill small bowls of noodles until diners signal they cannot eat more. Some visitors manage over a hundred bowls during a single sitting.

Location

Iwate Prefecture

Inception

April 1, 1889

Reference

032018

Shares border with

Hanamaki, Hachimantai, Miyako, Takizawa, Shiwa, Shizukuishi, Iwaizumi, Yahaba, Iwate, Kuzumaki

Address

Morioka, Iwate, Japan

Website

https://city.morioka.iwate.jp

GPS coordinates

39.70208,141.15450

Latest update

December 14, 2025 21:11

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