Morioka

Morioka (盛岡) is the capital of Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

Morioka Halal Explorer

Mt. Iwate and Morioka - Mt. Iwate and Morioka

For a traveller, Morioka is perhaps not high on any itinerary and is best known as a major transport hub for Tohoku. From here, one can branch off on the Shinkansen towards Akita and some of the tourist towns on the Akita Shinkansen line. It serves well as a stopover town on the way to either Akita or Hokkaido and there is enough to see and do for a day or two if you need somewhere to sleep or stock up on supplies. Morioka can also be used as base for day trips to Kakunodate or some of the other small towns in the area.

Morioka is an ancient city; it has been inhabited since prehistoric times. You're not likely to see much of its history, however, as it presents itself as much like any Japanese city of its size.

Travel to Morioka

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Morioka

Morioka is a major Shinkansen (bullet train) station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. It is also a major transit station for regular trains.

The most frequent Shinkansen services from Tokyo to Morioka are the all reserved Komachi (こまち) and Hayate (はやて), which normally run coupled together as a single train. The ride takes 2 1/2 hours at a cost of ¥23,840 each way, so you may want to consider purchasing a JR East Railway Pass or Japan Railway Pass beforehand.

Faster Hayabusa (はやぶさ) services make two daily round-trips between Morioka and both Tokyo and Aomori, complementing the other services. Fares for the Hayabusa are slightly higher (¥24,340 from Tokyo).

The Japan Railway Pass and JR East Railway Pass are valid for travel on the Hayate, Komachi and Hayabusa. On the other hand, rail passes will only cover the basic fare if you are willing to try out the premium first class seating on the Hayabusa called "GranClass". To use "GranClass" the limited express and GranClass fare has to be paid (¥24,640 from Tokyo). Without a rail pass, "GranClass" costs ¥22,830 between Tokyo and Morioka.

Morioka is an excellent option for a stopover if you are travelling by train to either Hakodate or Akita during peak times where it can sometimes be imfeasible to get a seat to your final destination. Depending on where you are going, you will be allocated a seat on either the Hayate or Komachi, which travel together as a joined train until Morioka where they split off to go to Shin-Hakodate and Akita respectively. If you are only travelling as far as Morioka you can be allocated a seat on either part of the joined train. It's then feasible to spend the night in Morioka and get an early train in the morning to the place you want to go, or to jump on a local train if you're only going so far as an intermediate Shinkansen stop between Morioka and Akita or Shin-Hakodate, for example if you're going to Kakunodate.

Travel on a Bus in Morioka

An overnight bus service and the Rakuchin, runs twice nightly from Tokyo Station to Morioka (about 7 1/2 hours, ¥7,850 one way). Other companies offer cheaper, less comfortable rides for as little as ¥7,000.

How to get around in Morioka

Morioka is a small enough city to walk around. The furthest you're likely to want to go is the Morioka Castle site which is about a 30 minutes walk from the front of the train station over the steel arch bridge and through the central business neighborhood. You can otherwise get the bus to the castle site (below), but the walk through the city is quite pleasant, though can be slippery, snowy and just plain cold in winter and unpleasantly hot and humid in summer.

From the station and the easiest and safest way to into the city proper is to use the underground tunnels from the station which go underneath the bus station and the primary street. This can be slightly confusing at first for people who cannot read Japanese signs and is not wheelchair accessible.

There is a wide and flat walking trail along the Kitakami river that makes for a pleasant walk or a good jogging spot with nice views of Mt Iwate. It's about a five minutes walk from the front of the station, walking straight ahead to the steel arch bridge and then taking the stairs on either side of it down to the river.

Travel on a Bus in Morioka

There is a large and sometimes confusing bus centre at the front of the station. Watch where you're going here as buses come from all directions while you're trying to cross the short distance to the shops in front of the station. Sometimes there will be a security guard who will stop traffic for you to cross.

Iwateken Kotsu bus operates the Den-Den-Mushi Bus (でんでんむし、Japanese for 'snail', which seems a strange name for a bus; it's easy to spot with a picture of a multi-coloured snail on the side of each bus) which encircles the city central area starting from Morioka main station via historic castle park and Bus Center. The cost is ¥200 per ride, and run every 10 min both clockwise and anti-clockwise during daytime. For such a low price it is a good way to get your bearings if you're new to Morioka.

What to see in Morioka

• Morioka Castle - 盛岡城 - 39.699995, 141.15001 ☎ +81 19-639-9057 Free Morioka Castle was built in the 16th century by Nanbu Nobunao and the first daimyo of the area. The castle was used as a residence during its heyday until it was dismantled during the Meiji Period. The area was converted into a park in 1906 and is known today as a popular place to see cherry blossoms in the spring. It is also very pretty in winter when the snow falls on the varied landscape and old castle walls, but it can be slippery and you can expect to trudge through thick snow.
• Morioka History and Culture Museum - もりおか歴史文化館 - 39.701032, 141.152595
• Morioka Museum of Great Predecessors - 盛岡市先人記念館 - ☎ +81 19-659-3338¥700 A museum with rotating exhibits about people who have been influential in Morioka.

• Nansho-so - 南昌荘 - 39.695573, 141.148698
• Morioka City Science Center - 盛岡市子ども科学館 - ☎ +81 19-634-1171 Museum entrance is ¥200, Planetarium is ¥700. A children's museum with a educational science exhibits and a planetarium.

• Hoonji - 報恩寺 - 39.712213, 141.156097 - Contains 500 rakan statues.

• Oyakuen Garden - 御薬園 - 39.711002, 141.162635 - The garden was originally constructed in the early Edo Period as an herb garden and was later converted into a garden for the local lord. It became a villa in 1908 until the buildings around the garden were turned into a museum. Today the garden is a popular spot to see autumn foliage.

• Takuboku Shinkon House - 啄木新婚の家 - 39.706283, 141.14149 - Free The Takuboku Shinkon House is the former residence of Takuboku Ishikawa, a famous local poet. He lived here as a newlywed with his wife albeit only for less than 3 weeks.
• Iwate Prefectural Art Museum - 岩手県立美術館 - Opening Hours: 9:30AM Monday - 6PM
• Shiwa Castle - 志波城, shiwa-jō - 39.683043, 141.105373 - Reconstruction of an ancient jōsaku fort (城柵).

• Former Nakamura Residence - 旧中村家住宅 - 39.710195, 141.162137
• HARA-KEI Memorial Museum - 原敬記念館 - ☎ +81 19-636-1192 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 5PM ¥200 The former home of Takashi Hara which has been converted into a museum. Takashi Hara was a Morioka local who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1918 to 1921. He is also known for being Japan's first Christian Prime Minister. The building contains documents and personal possessions.
• Fukazawa Kōko Nonoha Art Museum - 深沢紅子野の花美術館, fukuzawa kōko nonoha no bijutsukan - ☎ +81 19-625-6541 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 6PM ¥700 A Morioka local, Fukazawa was a 20th century painter of European-style art.

• Morioka Hachimangu - 盛岡八幡宮 - 39.69538, 141.163989
• Sixteen Arhats - 十六羅漢 - 39.693157, 141.161319
• Daijiji - 大慈寺 - 39.693786, 141.157796
• Ishikawa Takuboku Memorial Museum - 石川啄木記念館, ishikawa takuboku kinenkan - ¥700 A famous tanka poet who was born here in the Tamayama neighborhood. The museum has information and displays about him and his poetry.

• Iwate University Museum and Botanical Garden - 岩手大学ミュージアム, iwate daigaku myūjiamu - ☎ +81 19-621-6082 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 3PM A museum established by the university with a nice botanical garden outside.

• Morioka Zoo - 盛岡市動物公園, morioka-shi dōbutsuen - ¥700 The Morioka Zoo a great place to check out the animals in a peaceful surrounding.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Morioka

• Morioka City Ice Arena - 盛岡市アイスアリーナ, morioka-shi aisu arīna - ☎ +81 19-658-1212 An ice skating rink. You can come to watch hockey games and figure skating events. Check the website for event dates. Until 2015, it was the public skating rink of the city.

• Morioka skating rink - 盛岡市アイスリンク, morioka-shi aisurinku - The public skating rink of the city, opened in 2015.

Festivals and events

Morioka has a number of popular festivals.

• Chagu Chagu Umakko - チャグチャグ馬コ - Opening Hours: 2nd Saturday of June A parade of 100 colorfully decorated horses.

• Sansa Odori - 盛岡さんさ踊り - Opening Hours: August 1-4 The much anticipated summer taiko (Japanese drum festival. Approximately 10,000 participating taiko players, flute players, and dancers parade down the main street, making this the largest taiko festival in the world and listed in the Guinness book of records, Odori. After the performance is finished, viewers can join in and dance in the street with the performers as a part of "Wa Daiko". A unique vibe, and absolutely free!

• Funekko Nagashi - 舟っこ流し - Opening Hours: August 16th
• Hachiman Shrine Festival Opening Hours: September 14-16

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Morioka

There are some good shops selling local souvenirs in the station. The station shopping centre also has an underground area with a number of Halal restaurants, including a McDonalds if you're so inclined.

If you're in Morioka as a stopover destination and need to stock up on basics and there is a large supermarket, Jusco, by walking left on the primary street in front of the station for about ten minutes, it's on the right just after you walk under the overpass. A large branch of Daiso, a national 100 yen shop chain, that sells affordable and basic and sometimes strange Japanese goods, can be found in the city Centre. If you walk in a straight line from the station across the bridge and into the city you will find it on the right. There are also plenty of convenience stores in the area.

• Nambu Sembei - 南部煎餅 - Morioka's traditional wheat crackers.

• Nambu Ironware - 南部鉄器, nanbu tekki

• Chagu Chagu Umakko Kids' toy horse.

Halal Restaurants in Morioka

There are a lot of restaurants in the underground shopping area of the station, though they can be quite expensive and not especially good. Other eating options are in the central business neighborhood area or in the area in front of the station.

• Morioka Reimen - 盛岡冷麺 - Spicy cold Noodles severd with half a boiled egg, kim-chi and slide of either apple, watermelon or both.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Morioka

Morioka - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Morioka, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Morioka. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Morioka and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Morioka. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Morioka. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMorioka: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Morioka.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Morioka: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Morioka, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Morioka.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Morioka, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Morioka, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Morioka and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Morioka, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Morioka, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Morioka without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Morioka is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Morioka.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Morioka is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Morioka, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Morioka Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Morioka

Budget travellers of the male variety will likely quickly have their attention drawn to a heavily advertised capsule hotel and sauna existing directly opposite the train station. The price can be extremely cheap, but be warned however that capsule patrons can expect a rapidly upward sliding price scale on repeat use of the sauna facilities, and you may well wish to use them a second time in the morning because the air conditioning intake for the sleeping capsules lies in the smoker's lounge.

An alternative lies in a relaxation cafe along the main street on the left hand side, 2F, about a 1km from the station. Name begins with a Z~. Essentially this is a manga/internet cafe where the owner has thrown away all pretense of people reading manga and focussed on the crucials, napping, relaxing, sleeping, showering (small extra charge) and maybe checking the internet. Warm Balinese themed decor, seemed brand new as of summer 2022.

• Toyoko Inn Morioka-eki Minami - Overlooking the river 39.70154, 141.139053 3 minutes east of Morioka Station ¥5,600; winter discounts available A particularly nice Toyoko Inn. Opened in 2009 the odd numbered rooms overlook the river and from a high floor you get a nice sunrise. Toyoko Inns will provide a decent, but basic, Japanese style breakfast. Do not expect English to be spoken, but you will be able to get away with basic functions like checking in and out in English. Perfectly serviceable and clean hotel.

• Route Inn Morioka - 〒020-0034 3-25, Moriokaekimaedori, Morioka-shi, Iwate 39.700726, 141.138492 Turn right on the primary street outside the station and a few minutes walk, hotel is on the left. Check-in: 3pm / Check-out: 10am 6000 - 7000yen A slightly more expensive, but better business hotel option compared to the two Toyoko Inns. Check-in at 3, rather than 4pm, a decent breakfast and there is a large communal bathing facility, something that should be enjoyed as often as feasible while in Japan.

Travel Next from Morioka

• Hanamaki
• Hachimantai
• Iwaizumi
• Tono
• Hiraizumi
• Kakunodate

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