Things to do in Iwate

Iwate Prefecture has 154 places to visit, including 51 temples and 43 shrines. Kunohe Castle and Shōbō-ji Temple are among the many sites for those interested in history and culture.

Amaterasu Mioya Shrine

Amaterasu Mioya Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Amaterasu Mioya Shrine: a historic shrine dedicated to the sun goddess, with unique cherry trees...

Jōan-ji Temple

Jōan-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Jo-anji is a historic Soto Zen temple in Miyako, known for its exquisite 19th-century transom ca...

Kikuta Kazuo Memorial Museum

Kikuta Kazuo Memorial Museum

IWATE · MUSEUM

Explore a historic brick building housing a museum dedicated to Kikuta Kazuo and local festival...

Kōmyō-ji Temple

Kōmyō-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Komyoji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple with important cultural properties.

Hachiman Shrine

Hachiman Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Hachiman Shrine, founded in 1054, offers a historic main hall and a towering natural monument.

Ōtsuchi Inari Shrine

Ōtsuchi Inari Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Historic shrine in Iwate, home to cultural properties and a lively festival.

Manzō-ji

Manzō-ji

IWATE · TEMPLE

Manzō-ji is a historic Sōtō Zen temple with a unique gate, part of a Kannon pilgrimage.

Dainen-ji Temple

Dainen-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

A historic Buddhist temple in Iwate, home to important cultural properties and a serene atmosphe...

Kamado Shrine

Kamado Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Kamado Shrine: a historic guardian shrine with a beautiful main hall, worth visiting for its cul...

Oroheshi Isawagawa Shrine

Oroheshi Isawagawa Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

This shrine, founded in the 9th century, merges two ancient shrines and holds a designated cultu...

Shōgan-ji Temple

Shōgan-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Shoganji is a historic Buddhist temple housing a significant 14th-century Amitabha Nyorai statue...

Sekiō-ji Temple

Sekiō-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Sekiō-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple known for its large Kannon statue.

Takata Matsubara

Takata Matsubara

A coastal pine grove and memorial site featuring a single tree that survived the 2011 tsunami di...

Kōshō-ji Temple

Kōshō-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Kōshō-ji Temple is a historic Shingon temple with important wooden Buddhist statues.

Senjū-in Temple

Senjū-in Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Senjū-in Temple is a historic Nichiren temple, notable for its Great Mandala and unique New Year...

Tōsen-in Temple

Tōsen-in Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Tōsen-in Temple is a historic Zen Buddhist temple with important Kannon statues.

Chōkoku-ji

Chōkoku-ji

IWATE · TEMPLE

Chōkoku-ji is a historic temple housing important Kannon statues, easily accessible by train.

Kannon-ji Temple

Kannon-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Kannonji Temple is a historic Shingon temple housing important cultural properties.

Asai Atago Shrine

Asai Atago Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Ancient shrine with important statues, offering a glimpse into Japan's rich cultural heritage.

Kumano Shrine

Kumano Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Kumano Shrine offers unique cultural properties and a rare camellia tree.

Wakutsu Hachiman Shrine

Wakutsu Hachiman Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Wakutsu Hachiman Shrine, founded in 1493, houses a rare 13th-century iron gorintō base.

Ichinoseki Orthodox Church

Ichinoseki Orthodox Church

IWATE · TEMPLE

This historic Orthodox church in Ichinoseki houses rare icons and offers a peaceful visit.

Iwate Morioka Stadium

Iwate Morioka Stadium

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

Morioka Children Science Museum

Morioka Children Science Museum

IWATE · MUSEUM

A science museum for children with interactive exhibits and a planetarium.

Mount Iwate

Mount Iwate

A 2,038-meter stratovolcano known as Nambu Fuji, offering volcanic craters and a protected lava...

Ryusendo Cave

Ryusendo Cave

IWATE · ATTRACTION

Explore Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's Great Limestone Caves, known for its underground lakes.

Kuji Amber Museum

Kuji Amber Museum

IWATE · MUSEUM

Japan's only amber museum, with a mining tunnel, shop, and workshop, is worth a visit.

Yamaya Kannon Temple

Yamaya Kannon Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Yamaya Kannon is a historic temple, part of a pilgrimage, with a notable Kannon-do hall.

Hōji-in Temple

Hōji-in Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Hōji-in Temple is a Sōtō Zen temple with a historic, culturally significant gate.

Kura hasama-kannon Temple

Kura hasama-kannon Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Visit this ancient temple to see a rare Kannon statue and one of Japan's oldest mathematical tab...

Mitsuishi Shrine

Mitsuishi Shrine

IWATE · SHRINE

Mitsuishi Shrine: ancient rocks, a torii gate, and summer festivals make it a worthwhile stop.

Mōtsū-ji Temple

Mōtsū-ji Temple

IWATE · TEMPLE

Mōtsū-ji Temple offers a rare look at Heian period culture through its intact foundation stones...

Seizankan

Seizankan

IWATE · CASTLE

Explore Seizankan, a large Sengoku-period castle ruin, for a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

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