岩手県 · Tohoku Region
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.
3 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
Premium
Premium content
Iwate· Hiraizumi
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…
UNESCOGolden HallKonjikido+3
Updated Jul 2026
Iwate· Hiraizumi
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…
cliffside templecave templeBishamonten+2
Updated Jul 2026
Iwate· Hiraizumi
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…
Pure Land gardenHeian periodtemple garden+2
Updated Jul 2026