As we all know the coming changes to JR Pass will likely make the nationwide pass obsolete for all, but the most cunning (or very niche) visitors – we foresee changes to the way people approach to Japan with increasing focus on staying in the cities, which enable them to make a full use of regional passes, or to take advantage of many day trips.
We’d like you to share your ideas for using those hubs to the fullest for short-term and medium-term tourism-related stays, including your ideas for itineraries, day trips, eating out, entertainment and just having a general fun all around.
Today we’d like to discuss Morioka, which is a pleasant town in a northern part of Tohoku region at a junction of Tohoku and Akita shinkansen lines and a major transport hub for the area.
|**Info Panel**|**Morioka**|
|:–|:–|
| Main transport hub | Morioka (JR, shinkansen, IGR, bus terminal) |
| Airport | Iwate Hanamaki Airport (limousine buses) |
| Entertainment district | none major |
| IC card | iGUCA (2-in-1 Suica, major IC cards compatible) |
| Peak season | April, August |
| Day trip destinations | Kakunodate, Tazawako, Kitakami, Hachinohe |
Note that IC cards are not valid for train transport in the region, but are valid for local buses run by Northern Iwate Transportation Inc.
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2 comments
I never heard of Morioka before – I was thinking of making Sendai my hub. Anybody have any recommendation?
Morioka is a pleasant city by itself, but it’s main value is that is a major transportation hub that make possible multiple day trips without changing accommodation (and if you can rent car it opens Tohoku even more):
* historical towns such as Hirosaki, Hiraizumi or Kakunodate
* seafood-friendly places such as Miyako and Hachinohe
* pleasant nature/seasonal areas such as Lake Tazako, Kitakami, Geibikei Gorge, Yokote or Hachimantai
* historical onsen villages such as Nyuto Onsen
* rural folk villages such as Tono area
Oh, and eating wanko soba, jajamen and reimen is also very comforting for all the noodle lovers out there.