Iwate Hidden Gems
A quiet, mountainous prefecture of Buddhist heritage and a rugged Pacific coastline — the second-largest prefecture, and one of the least crowded.
4 spots
Climate & Best Season
Cold winters inland, cool summers on the coast; the Kitakami basin sees heavy snow. Best in late spring and autumn.
Famous For (Food)
- Wanko soba
- Morioka reimen
- Jaja-men
- Maesawa beef
Signature Sights
- Hiraizumi's Chuson-ji (UNESCO)
- Geibikei Gorge boat ride
- Sanriku coast cliffs
- Hachimantai volcanic plateau
Chusonji Temple — Golden Hall of Pure Land Buddhism
Chusonji Temple is the crown jewel of Hiraizumi's UNESCO World Heritage sites, founded in 850 CE and expanded in the ear…
Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do — Cliffside Temple in Rock Cave
Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do is a Buddhist temple built into a cliff cave, dramatically perched on a rock face 15 meters…
Motsuji Temple Garden — Pure Land Paradise Design
Motsuji Temple was once larger than Chusonji, containing 40 temple buildings and 500 monks' quarters during the Northern…
Kamaishi Daikannon — 48-Meter Ocean Goddess
Kamaishi Daikannon is a 48.5-meter tall statue of Kannon (Buddhist goddess of mercy) standing on a peninsula overlooking…