This temple that belongs to the Tendai sect was constructed in 850. It is said to have been founded by the priest Jikaku Daishi. Sights to see include the Jodo (Pure Land) garden that is arranged to unify the Buddhist temple and garden pond. As a valuable garden that even now conveys the thoughts and techniques of the Sakutei-ki, the oldest book concerning gardens in Japan, this is a symbol of Motsu-ji Temple. The temple premises have been designated as a Special Historic Site, and the Ennen-no-mai (a dance performed here for peace and longevity) has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Property.

Genbikei is a valley of the Iwai River originating in Mt. Kurikoma and flowing to Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. Dynamic landscapes such as waterfalls, strangely shaped and magical rocks continue for two kilometers. The specialty of Genbikei is of course the Kakko-dango Dumplings. When ordering and paying, you place your money in a basket attached to a rope stretched to the other side. After sounding a wooden hammer, the basket is pulled up and the dumplings and tea are delivered in return instead. Fun to watch, and delicious to eat.

Morioka Hachimangu Shrine was built in 1680 by the 29th feudal lord Shigenobu Nambu. The god enshrined here has been revered by the locals since ancient times as the god for the roots of human life which include farming, industry, commerce, learning and the other basics of life. Many people know about the various festivals held throughout the year including the Dashi-gyoji (float) Festival and Yabusame Jinji (a horseback archery ritual).

Established in 1980, this museum is the first of its kind in Japan. It is a museum introducing the folklore and folk culture of the Tono peoples' lifestyle, environment, history, and culture. The life of the Tono people in the Tono basin valley is displayed in an easy to understand manner through documents and photographs. One can enjoy viewing the Tono Story, the picture works based on local folklore and topics, and the animated film ''Shigeru Mizuki's Tono Story.''

This information facility is located inside Rikuchu Kaigan National Park in the Hitachihama-cho area of Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture. It gives you information about various natural areas in the national park such as the Jodogahama rock formations and Sanno Rock. There are exhibits related to the Sanriku coast and also a rest space, making it a place used by many local residents. In addition, it also holds events to maintain the Michinoku Coastal Trail footpath.

At this rest area located near the peak of Hachimantai, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop where you can buy local products. Also, the Observatory spot also makes this a great location for looking out over Hachimantai. The rest house has one floor above ground and two basement floors—the first floor features the observatory spot and a rest area with tons of information on the natural surroundings of Hachimantai. The basement first floor has a section for light meals like udon and curry, and a section with sightseeing information. In the hall of retail shops on the basement second floor, you can purchase Hachimantai original goods.

The boarding site for the Geibikei Gorge Boat Trip is located in the city of Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture. The 90-minute trip allows you to enjoy the gorge fully and view the scenery that changes with the seasons, including wisteria blossoms in May and autumn leaves in the fall. In the winter, customers can make reservations to ride down the river in so-called kotatsu boats, in which guests sit at heated tables while eating Kinagashi Nabe, a hot pot dish of meat, tofu, and other ingredients cooked in miso broth.

An experience-oriented museum dedicated to the fairy tales of Kenji Miyazawa located in Takamatsu, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Surrounded by hills and fields, you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into the world of Miyazawa’s fairy tales in the museum’s charming, magical atmosphere. The Kenji’s School area is divided into five zones themed after the Miyazawa’s works. Other museum facilities include Milky Way Station, the Sky Plaza, Kenji’s Classroom, the Fairy Path, the Owl Path, and the Yamano Soen forest. Visitors are encouraged to slowly stroll the facility’s grounds and enjoy the fairy tale world and various sculptures scattered here and there. The nearest station is Shin-Hanamaki Station.

This is a popular ski resort that cares about the quality of its slopes and where guests can enjoy “aspirin snow” which is fluffy powder snow with little humidity. There are 21 various runs including long courses that even beginners can enjoy and ungroomed snow courses with a maximum gradient of 32 degrees intended for those more advanced making for a snow resort with something for everyone from families to expert skiers and snowboarders. On site is a ski and snowboard school that offers various lessons to help students improve safely and enjoyably. In addition to its slopes the resort has a complete restaurant and lounge area that groups and families will appreciate.

This facility is home to first-rate artisan groups who craft authentic handiworks every day. It consists of the industry revival center, the handi-works square, and the “magariya” zone. The handi-works square offers visitors a chance to craft various Morioka specialty products and hosts events as well, giving people a chance to observe artisans up close and try their hand at making their own items. The local cultural site “Nanbu Magariya” is a must-see as well. It’s about 20 minutes by car from the Morioka Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.

This hot spring is located in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. While gazing at the seasonal natural scenery, you can enjoy soaking in a hot spring in a relaxed state of mind. It consists of three accommodation facilities, Sansuikaku, Kikusuikan and Toujiya, which have differing baths you can use. In addition, there is also a shop, eatery and banquet hall on the premises.

This restaurant is located in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Once housed inside the Marukan department store in Hanamaki City, it reopened under its current name in 2017. It is famous for its menu items which include its 10-layer ice cream that is 25 centimeters high, and Napolikatsu made with Neapolitan-style pasta and pork cutlet.

This super bath house hot spring is in the city district just south of JR Senbokuchou Station along the main road. This hot spring aims to warm your body and your core with 11 indoor and outdoor baths such as highly-concentrated carbonated bath and an infrared low-temperature sauna. They also have five types of rock baths including the latest aroma baths which really gets the sweat flowing. The relaxation space comes with reclining beds and tatami floors with bean cushions so visitor can spend a lot of time relaxing.

This art museum that opened in 2001 is located in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. Paintings and sculptures by artists related to Iwate Prefecture, such as Tetsugoro Yorozu, Shunsuke Matsumoto and Yasutake Funakoshi are on display. In addition, in the permanent exhibition, commentaries by volunteers, collection talk events and other events are regularly held, drawing many tourists to the museum.

This hot spring accommodation facility is located in Hachimantai National Park in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture. The hot spring water is milky white, and you can overlook the scenery of the four seasons from the open-air bath, such as the pristine forest of beech and Mongolian oak. Many tourists visit to spend a relaxing day in the hot spring for day trips.

This market is located in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture. It sells fresh seafood and processed marine products from the early morning. Their item selection includes not only seafood but vegetables and flowers raised by local farmers. It is known as the community kitchen, and is a market where people interact. In addition, they also pack and ship items purchased as souvenirs.

The Esashi-Fujiwara Heritage Park, which is near the World Heritage Site Hiraizumi, is a theme park that allows visitors to feel the history of the Tohoku region. You can try on actual ceremonial wear (Juni-hitoe and Sokutai), do clamshell decorating, try archery, wear armor, and more to experience the refined grace of the Heian period. The restaurant serves famous Esashi cuisine and Heian-period food. It’s about 20 minutes by car from the Mizusawa Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.

This is a long-established soba restaurant founded in 1907 that serves up Morioka’s famous wanko soba and also their original “Nambu Soba Kaiseki.” Guests that eat more than 100 bowls of wanko soba can receive an original Azamaya wanko soba certificate. In addition to soba, they offer a wide selection of other items including colorful bento (Japanese box lunches) that use ingredients in season.

Kosode Ama Center is in the city of Kuji, Iwate Prefecture. It is a base facility for Japan's northernmost ama (traditional female free divers). The first floor houses a tourist information center and a retail outlet. The second floor has an exhibit that presents information about the ama. Light meals and snacks are served on the third floor. The Ama Festival is held during the diving season of July to September, with demonstrations of free diving.

This observatory is located in the village of Tanohata in Shimohei County, Iwate Prefecture. You can look out over Kitayamazaki, a scenic spot representative of the Sanriku coast. The observatory protrudes into the sea, with a wooden first observation desk, a powerful second observation desk, and third observation desk where you can go forest bathing. In addition, there are also stairs set up that lead down from the observatory to sea level. Enjoy the scenery of the eight-kilometer long dynamic coastline.

This temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism is located in the Hiraizumi-cho area of Nishiwai County, Iwate Prefecture. This cascade temple worships Bishamonten, which is in the Bishamondo Hall, and is a nationally designated Historic Site. In addition, it is also famous for having a torii gate, which is rare in temples. Many tourists visit to enjoy the different scenery of every season.

This free facility introduces the history and culture of Hiraizumi in an understandable way through wall panels and videos. Items such as documents related to Hiraizumi’s World Heritage sites and articles recovered from the ground during excavation projects are displayed. Paying a visit before sightseeing will deepen your understanding of Hiraizumi’s history and culture and make for a more enjoyable visit. Audio guides that support four languages are also available for use by foreign visitors.

This zoo is located in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. Besides animals including white lions and tigers, you can also interact with herbivores such as giraffes and camels inside the park. In addition, you can feed animals up close while riding in a bus designed with a tiger motif. Various events are held in the park, drawing many people and their families.

Mt. Hachimantai sprawls almost equally in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture and Akita Prefecture. Due to its rather un-mountain-like shape, in 1962 Iwate Prefecture added soil to the mountain to improve its look. The top of the mountain is a cool 15° C even in the middle of summer, Hachiman Swamp, the largest swamp in Hachimantai, is lush with Asian skunk cabbage, hare's-tail cottongrass, and other alpine plants. The beautiful clear blue waters of the Hachimantai Dragon Eye pond from which it gets its name can only be seen during the season of fresh green leaves in spring.