Iwate

Morioka:

to stay:

Ace Hotel

Hotel New Carina

eating and drinking:

Basically everything's on Odori - right in the middle of town near the train station. You'll find karaoke places, bars and food.

Kitchen Bar - in the basement below Gusto do long nomihodais for a good price, with the condition that you must order one food item.

Irish Pub - near the intersection of Odori and Cinema St. The pub has cheap nomihodai and mexican food that's good.

Don's Tacos - behind the Irish Pub building, a little stand. Really cool guy who speaks English works there and the food's yummy.

For clubs - 3 choices: Faces, Bar Dai and Players.

Faces is in the Irish Pub building, 3F.

Players is on the far end of Odori from the station but before the park, in the basement.

Bar Dai is also in the basement I believe, one street down (to the right if walking from the station) from Odori. It's near Kawatoku department store.

Picca Pecca - Pan Asian food in a very funky atmosphere. Price - food and nomihodai 2000yen plus. On Odori (right side walking from the station) on the 5th floor of a building next to a print club shop.

Moon Soon - Pan-Asian, food and nomihodai 3000yen plus. Look for the building on the left of Odori with a neon semi-circle of shop names above the entrance hall.

Daruma - Food and nomihodai 3000yen plus. On Odori, on the left hand side coming from the station in the Sunshine Building.

Universal Dining - Standard izakaiya, food and nomihodai 2000yen plus. On the left hand side of Odori just before Iwate bank. There is a big pale green sign on the second floor.

Book Shop Ramen - Very, very big ramen! Go to the third floor of the book shop on the right hand side of Odori and head right to the back of the shop. It is very popular, so if you go at lunch time, be prepared to wait.

Watami - izakaiya, on the right of Odori on the opposite corner to Iwate bank. Has a red and black sign. Go to the 4th floor.

to see:

Snow Festival - small but fun, about 15 snow sculptures. There's also cross country skiing and you can eat lunch in a snow hut. Takes place at Koiwai farm.

To get there the bus leaves Morioka Station every hour on the 45 minute mark. The first bus is 8:45am and the last is 5:45pm. It picks up in front of the station at bus stop number 10. The bus leaves Koiwai farm every hour on the 40 minute mark. The first bus is 9:55am and the last is 7:40pm. It's about a 30-40 minute bus ride and costs 720yen each way.

Iwate Art Museum - a collection of local artists on the top floor, on the ground floor there is an exhibition hall for guest displays. Take a bus from the station to the ice arena, it's just across the road. By car go across the bridge behind Morioka station and take the 3rd right. It's on the right. The museum collection is 500yen. The special display price varies, but includes the cost of the collection.

Ice Arena - open December – March. In the winter it's an ice rink, and in the summer an indoor arena. Open: weekend 10am – 6pm, weekdays 12noon – 7.15pm (6pm Wed/Thurs). Catch a bus from the train station, check with the booth in the middle for details. By car go across the bridge behind Morioka station and take the 3rd right. It is on the left. Costs 500yen for skating, 300yen for rental (big sizes available).

Koiwai Farm - A nice selection of restaurants, sheep, a wool spinning workshop and gift shops. In South Morioka, closest station is Koiwai, about 20 minutes on the JR line from Morioka station. Free in winter, 500yen in summer.

Numakunai Sculpture Museum - There's a garden walk in which you can see the winning sculptures from the annual international contest and also a lavender garden and an art hall, where the display changes monthly. Just round the corner is a plaza with an average-priced restaurant, where you can buy the famous Iwate blueberry ice cream. Take the train from Morioka station platform 0 or 1. (It takes about 25 minutes.) From in front of the station turn right and follow the main road. Turn left, cross the bridge and it's on the right just after the hardware store. Museum is 200yen, art hall is 200yen, ice cream 250yen, train tickets 900yen each way from Morioka.

Morioka Handworks Square - local tradesmen making all the Morioka crafts - watch for free or join in. You need to book ahead if you want to participate. Open 8.40am – 5pm. The closest rail station is Koiwai. A taxi there will cost 1500yen or there is a bus that goes from Morioka station about every hour at about 20 past the hour. Driving - take route 46 south out of Morioka, and then it is signposted. There's no charge to get into the village you pay for each activity.

Lava Flow - A barren wasteland of lava on the side of Iwate-san. Very eerie feeling. On the side of Hachimantai and very difficult to get to without a car.

Temple of 500 Buddhas - Northeast Morioka. Signposted from Route 4 and also a bus, ask at Morioka station for details. 200yen entry fee. 500 carvings of Buddha.

Mizusawa:

to see:

Naked Man Festival - around Feb 4th, there's an all night naked man festival (10pm - 9:30am). Last year it was free, and you could join a temporary pub for 1000yen and be fed food & sake.