8 Parks in Iwate worth your time

Japan's only underground aquarium, rebuilt after a tsunami, offers unique marine life.

What it is

• A complex facility in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Opened in April 1994 on the north shore of Kuji Bay.
• Reopened in 2016 after 2011 tsunami damage.
• Registered as a Minato Oasis in July 2005.

What to see

• Japan's only underground aquarium, the Kuji Underground Aquarium Science Museum.
• The aquarium exhibits 200 species of fish.
• The Petroleum Culture Hall has an explosion experience space.
• The Petroleum Culture Hall reopened with the aquarium.

Getting there

• One-minute walk from Kuji Station.

Official site

www.moguranpia.com

Read more about Moguranpia

Mizusawa Park is a historic urban park in Oshu City, famous for its cherry blossoms and monuments.

What it is

• An urban park in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Known as a cherry blossom viewing spot.
• Landscaping created in 1878.

What to see

• Over 500 cherry trees.
• A cluster of 300-year-old Higan cherry trees.
• Statues of Shinpei Goto and Makoto Saito.
• Monuments for Choei Takano and Shiki Masaoka.
• A seven-storied pagoda and a Boshin War memorial.
• Komagata Shrine.

When to go

• Mizusawa Park Cherry Blossom Festival: mid-April to early May.

Read more about Mizusawa Park

Hanaizumi Flower World is a botanical garden with thousands of peonies and an indoor play area for kids.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Opened in 1995 as a peony garden.
• Features thousands of peonies and other plants.
• Includes an indoor children's play area.

What to see

• About 300 types of 4000 peonies.
• About 40 types of 3000 peony plants.
• A relocated thatched-roof old folk house.
• Kids Land Mory, an indoor children's play area.
• A product sales corner.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Official site

hanatoizumi.com

Read more about Hanaizumi Flower World

Iwate Morioka Stadium is a large sports complex with multiple facilities for various athletic events.

What it is

• A comprehensive sports facility in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Owned by Iwate Prefecture.
• Renamed "Junjo Sanchi Iwate Traphiel" in 2023.

What to see

• Main stadium with 400m, 8-lane track and 30,000 capacity.
• Main stadium has four tower-type lighting facilities.
• Auxiliary stadium with 300m, 6-lane track.
• Soccer field with 4,000 person capacity.
• Softball-only baseball field with 4,000 person capacity.
• Four parking lots are available.

Read more about Iwate Morioka Stadium

Tenshochi is a vast park in Kitakami, famous for its 10,000 cherry trees and azaleas.

What it is

• An urban park in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.
• Cherry trees were planted starting in 1920.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

What to see

• About 10,000 cherry trees.
• 100,000 azalea plants.
• A 2km long avenue of Somei Yoshino cherry trees.
• Michinoku Folklore Village is within the park.
• Kitakami City Museum is within the park.
• Satoshi Hachiro Memorial Museum is within the park.

Read more about Tenshōchi

A memorial park in Rikuzentakata, preserving earthquake remains and honoring victims.

What it is

• A disaster recovery park for the Great East Japan Earthquake.
• Includes a national memorial and prayer facility.
• Developed by national government, prefecture, and city.
• Fully opened in December 2021.

What to see

• Preserved earthquake remains, like former Roadside Station Takata Matsubara.
• The Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami Memorial Museum.
• Current Roadside Station Takata Matsubara.

Official site

takatamatsubara-park.com

Read more about Takatamatsubara Memorial Park

Step into Japan's past at this historical theme park, built for a TV drama.

What it is

• A theme park recreating a historical Japanese town.
• Built for the NHK drama series "Homura Tatsu."
• Opened on July 4, 1993.
• Known as "Hollywood of Michinoku."

Getting there

• 15-minute bus ride from Mizusawa Esashi Station.
• 40-minute bus ride from Mizusawa Station.
• 20-minute walk from Esashi Bus Center.

Official site

www.fujiwaranosato.com

Read more about Esashi-Fujiwara Heritage Park

This park commemorates over 300 Christian martyrs, offering a museum and memorial hall.

What it is

• A park dedicated to Christian martyrs.
• Created to convey the history of Christianity.
• Commemorates over 300 believers executed from 1639.

What to see

• The Oogago Christian Museum.
• The Oogago Martyrdom Memorial Cruz Hall.
• A medallion with Christ's resurrection carving.

Read more about Ōkago Kirishitan Martyrdom Park