▲From PIXTA「Hiraizumi, Iwate - Motsuji Temple ~Hondo~」
A 1-night, 2-day itinerary for exploring Iwate by train
Iwate Prefecture has a rich natural and culinary culture, as well as a deep history that attracts many people. If you're planning to visit Iwate, we will introduce a 1-night, 2-day itinerary accessible by train and bus!
Iwate
- Iwate
- Model itinerary
- 2 Days / 1 Night
- No car
- Temples and shrines
Update day：2024/08/22
Destination of this trip
- Day 1
- Day 2
DAY1
Tour around Ichinoseki City
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START
Direct from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen, arrive in about 2 hours!
1 Ichinoseki station
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▲From PIXTA「Ichinoseki station」
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▲From PIXTA「Ichinoseki station」
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▲From PIXTA「Ichinoseki station」
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▲From PIXTA「Ichinoseki station」
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▲From PIXTA「Ichinoseki station」
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▲From PIXTA「Ichinoseki station」
Begin the first day of sightseeing in Iwate, get off at Ichinoseki station before reaching Morioka Station. Travel from Tokyo Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen and reach your destination in about two hours. Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture is famous for its many hot springs, offering refreshment and relaxation to travelers.
Ichinoseki Station has plenty of coin lockers where you can store bags and suitcases before heading out to explore. Leave your luggage in a coin locker first to enjoy your travel time more freely and comfortably.- Ichinoseki Station Bus Stop
- About 20 minutes
Get off at Genbikei Gorge
Bus Stop1 minute by walk -
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Arrival!
Enjoy the signature dango while viewing the great nature
2 Genbikei Gorge
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▲From PIXTA「Genbikei Gorge」
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▲From PIXTA「Genbikei Gorge autumn leaves」
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▲From PIXTA「Genbikei Gorge」
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▲From PIXTA「Genbikei Gorge autumn leaves」
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▲From PIXTA「Genbikei Gorge」
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▲From PIXTA「Genbikei Gorge autumn leaves」
Just a 23-minute bus ride from Ichinoseki Station takes you to Genbikei, known for its breathtaking natural beauty. The gorge, carved over millennia by the Iwai River, features striking rock formations, giant boulders, and the clear stream that flows through, creating cascading waterfalls. Especially during the season of autumn leaves, colorful trees add color to the valley, and their beauty attracts visitors. There are also well-maintained pathways along the river, allowing for enjoyable walks to offer diverse views of the stunning landscapes.
Genbikei Gorge
- Address
- Takinokami, Genbi-cho, Ichinoseki, Iwate 021-0101 Japan
- Phone
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Ichinoseki Tourism Association:
+81-191-23-2350 - Access
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Car：20 minutes from Ichinoseki Station
Bus：Immediately at Genbikei Bus Stop - Business Hours
- Open all year
- Admission Fee
- Free
Get off at Genbikei bus stop1 minute by walk -
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Arrival!
Right off the bus stop
3 Kakko-Dango
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▲From PIXTA「flying dango」
Furthermore, a famous attraction is the 'flying dango'. These dumplings, delivered across the gorge via rope from Kakko-Dango shop, are a popular treat among tourists. Enjoy them while admiring the beautiful scenery. It’s a perfect rest stop after exploring Genbikei.
If you stored your luggage in a coin locker at Ichinoseki Station, remember to collect your luggage before you leave. You can also use the coin lockers at Hiraizumi Station to store your luggage.
Here is some information about the coin lockers at Hiraizumi Station:
Coin Lockers outside the ticket gates (right side after exiting):
Payment can be made with cash or IC cards. There is also a coin exchange machine for your convenience.- ・Large: 12 lockers, ¥600 each
- ・Medium: 18 lockers, ¥500 each
- ・Small: 35 lockers, ¥400 each
Kakko-Dango
- Address
- 211 Takinokami, Genbi-cho, Ichinoseki
- Phone
- +81-191-29-2031
- Access
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Car：20 minutes from Ichinoseki Station
Bus：Immediately off the Genbikei Bus Stop - Budget
- ¥500〜¥850
- Business Hours
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9:30 AM to 2:30 PM (closes when sold out)
※Hours may vary slightly
※Operating period for 2024: March 15 (Friday) to November 30 (Saturday)
- Get on at Genbikei
bus stop - About 20 minutes by bus
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Get off at the Ichinoseki Station bus stop
※Retrieve your luggage from the coin locker - Get on at Ichinoseki Station
on the Tohoku Main Line - 7 minutes by train
Hiraizumi Station
※Take out your luggage from the coin locker7 minutes walk -
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Arrival!
Experience serenity in the beautiful gardens
4 Motsuji Temple
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▲From PIXTA「Motsuji Temple」
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▲From PIXTA「Motsuji Temple」
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▲From PIXTA「Motsuji Temple」
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▲From PIXTA「Motsuji Temple」
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▲From PIXTA「Motsuji Temple」
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▲From PIXTA「Motsuji Temple」
Motsuji Temple, established by the Oshu Fujiwara clan during the Heian period, continues to convey the history and culture of that era. In 1995, it was registered as part of the World Heritage site 'Hiraizumi - Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land', and highly esteemed from historians and scholars worldwide. The magnificent gardens, architecture, and beautiful natural surroundings attract visitors.
Motsuji Temple
- Address
- 58 Ohsawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho,
Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate, 029-4102 - Phone
- +81-191-46-2331
- Access
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Wlak：7 minutes from Hiraizumi Station
Car：3 minutes from Hiraizumi Station
About 50 minutes from Morioka IC
About 15 minutes from Ichinoseki IC
About 10 minutes from Hiraizumi-Maezawa IC
5 minutes from Hiraizumi Smart IC (ETC only) - Business Hours
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8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
*November 5 to March 4: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Admission Fee
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Adults: ¥700
High School Students: ¥400
Elementary & Middle School Students: ¥200
20 minute walk -
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Arrival!
Special events and ceremonies may take place depending on the season.
5 Chusonji Temple
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▲From PIXTA「Chusonji Temple The Golden Hall」
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▲From PIXTA「Chusonji Temple Moon Viewing Slope」
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▲From PIXTA「Chusonji Temple The Golden Hall」
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▲From PIXTA「Chusonji Temple Moon Viewing Slope」
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▲From PIXTA「Chusonji Temple The Golden Hall」
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▲From PIXTA「Chusonji Temple Moon Viewing Slope」
Chusonji Temple, a significant temple symbolic of Japanese Buddhist culture and history. It maintains a wealth of architectural and artistic works that narrate the prosperity of the Oshu Fujiwara clan during the Heian period, overwhelming visitors with its majestic and august presence.
Chusonji Temple
- Address
- 202 Hiraizumi-Iseki, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate 029-4102
- Phone
- +81-191-46-2211
- Access
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Car：About 5 minutes from Hiraizumi-Maezawa IC
Walk：Immediately at the Chusonji bus stop - Business Hours
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March 1 - November 3: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
November 4 to end of February: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
No closing days - Admission Fees
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Adults: ¥1,000
High School Students: ¥700
Middle School Students: ¥500
Elementary School Students: ¥300
- Board at Chusonji Bus Stop
- About 4 minutes
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Get off at Hiraizumi Station Bus Stop
※Take out your luggage from the coin locker - Board at Hiraizumi Station
- About 1 hour 20 minutes
Get off at Morioka Station1 minute walk -
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Arrival!
Enjoy the Original Morioka Jajamen
6 Hakuryu
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▲From PIXTA「 Morioka Jajamen Hakuryu」
Hakuryu, located in Morioka City, is a well-known establishment recognized as the original creator of Jajamen. Since its founding, it has been well-loved by locals and has gained many fans. Hakuryu's Jajamen is characterized by its spicy and rich flavor. The medium-thick noodles are perfectly complemented by the spiciness of chili peppers, to create an appetizing dish. Despite its simplicity, the addictive taste has captivated many people.
Original Morioka Jajamen Hakuryu Fezan Branch
- Address
- Morioka Station Building, Fezan 1F, O-densekan, 1 Ekimae-dori, Morioka, Iwate
- Phone
- +81-19-623-5167
- Access
- 3-minute walk from JR Morioka Station, 32 meters
- Business Hours
- 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM (Last Order at 9:00 PM; Food Last Order at 8:45 PM)
- Budget
- ¥500〜¥1,000
- 1 minute walk
Move to around Bus
Terminal No.26 at
Morioka Station West ExitHotel guest-only shuttle
bus (advance reservation
required by 3 days before) -
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Arrival!
Relieve the day's fatigue at Shizukuishi Takakura Onsen
H Shizukuishi Prince Hotel
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is an all-season resort hotel with a golf course and ski resort on its grounds, with a breathtaking view of the majestic Mount Iwate right in front of you. The biggest attraction is the 'Nighttime Aerial Walk' via the Ginga Ropeway, offering stargazing and night views that can only be seen in the clear air. The hotel offers a rich array of activities that allow you to experience the enchanting natural surroundings.
Within the hotel, you'll find a variety of dining options, including course meals featuring local ingredients, a buffet restaurant, and the meticulously curated Shizukuishi Takakura Onsen. This hot spring, known as one of the rare moor springs in Japan, allows you to soak in the covered open-air bath made of cypress wood while relieving the fatigue of your journey. Additionally, the hotel provides a wealth of seasonal activities and events perfect for families.Shizukuishi Prince Hotel
- Address
- Takakura Onsen, Shizukuishi Town, Iwate District, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0593 Japan
- Phone
- +81-19-693-1111
- Access
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Car / Taxi：About 20 minutes from Shizukuishi Station in normal traffic
Approximately 50 minutes from Morioka Station in normal traffic
Shuttle Bus for Hotel Guests (Reservation required 3 days in advance):
From the Front Entrance of Shizukuishi Station
From near Bus Terminal No.26 at Morioka Station West Exit
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- Day 1
- Day 2
- *The photo is for illustrative purposes only. The actual content may differ.
- *The content may be subject to change.
The best views are at Prince.
Experience breathtaking scenery with all your senses.
Enjoy breathtaking rooms with significant views.
Unwind in hot springs beneath an incredibly close starry sky.
Savor dinners surrounded by enchanting night views.
Experience unique "spectacular nature" that makes your trip special.
Come and immerse yourself in unforgettable natural beauty.