Morioka Course Castle Park Zaimokucho and Noodle Gourmet

Morioka is a castle town where the Kitakami and Nakatsu rivers flow. The former castle grounds remain as a park, and streets lined with old merchant houses still host working craftsmen. With its famous noodle cuisine, this is a full and satisfying day course.

Course Route

9:30 Start at Morioka Station The city center is compactly arranged near the station. Begin by walking along the river toward the heart of town.

10:00 Stroll Morioka Castle Park This park preserves the beautiful stone walls of the old castle. Walk slowly through the grounds and enjoy the seasonal plants and river views.

11:30 Wander Zaimokucho Zaimokucho is known as a street connected to the poet Miyazawa Kenji. Statues and workshops dot the area, and it is a delight simply to stroll along.

12:30 Lunch with jajamen Try jajamen, one of Moriokas three great noodles. And do not forget the chiitantan, made by pouring hot water into the leftover sauce.

14:00 Browse the craft shops downtown Peek into a shop selling Nanbu ironware. The kettles and small items, gleaming with traditional skill, make perfect souvenirs of your trip.

16:00 Finish with reimen In the evening, have Morioka reimen. The chewy noodles and spicy broth are just the thing after a day of walking.

17:30 Return to Morioka Station

Highlights

The stone walls of Morioka Castle Park are known as some of the finest in the Tohoku region. In Zaimokucho, one of the pleasures is walking while searching out statues and spots linked to Miyazawa Kenji. And when it comes to Morioka, it has to be the three great noodles. You can even take the greedy approach of tasting wanko soba, jajamen, and reimen all in a single day.

Access and Tips

You can cover the route from Morioka Station to the center on foot, but a loop bus lets you get around efficiently. Noodle shops fill up at lunchtime, so shifting your timing a little helps you get in without a wait.

A Quick Tip

If you want to taste all three great noodles, the trick is to pace your portions as you go. Keep each meal light and try a variety of shops.