#LetsMET: HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA / MORIOKA NEW WING
As the largest prefecture of the Tohoku Region (東北地方 Tōhoku Chihō), Iwate Prefecture (岩手県 Iwate-ken) is blessed with abundant scenic nature—from mountain ranges to coasts—that is uniquely beautiful in every season. The prefecture’s capital city Morioka (盛岡市 Morioka-shi), despite being a small city, draws attention from the whole of Japan in the summer by hosting the largest taiko parade in the world—Morioka Sansa Odori Festival (盛岡さんさ踊り). The city is also famous for its “Three Great Noodles”: jajamen, reimen, and wanko soba.
HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING (Image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)
Located 2.5 hours by Tohoku Shinkansen (東北新幹線) from Tokyo, JR Morioka Station (盛岡駅 Morioka-eki) is a convenient transportation hub for travellers who are on their way to visit Aomori (青森県 Aomori-ken) and Akita Prefecture (秋田県 Akita-ken) in Northern Tohoku as it serves both the Tohoku Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen (秋田新幹線). If you’re looking for accommodation near the station, why not check out HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA and HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING?
(Video credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)
(Video credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)
As seen in both videos, HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA is directly connected to JR Morioka Station, while HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING, albeit slightly further, is just a short 4-minute walk from the station. With a variety of guest rooms for visitors to stay at after a day of sightseeing, it is the perfect location with everything you need within walking distance.
To make the most out of your visit to Morioka City, here is a list of five recommended restaurants and three must-visit sightseeings spots from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA and HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING.
Food
1. PAIRON (白龍)
(Image credit: 白龍)
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Cuisines: Beef, pork
- Suitable for: Families, Single-diners
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA: 3-minute walk from Hotel to FES”AN outlet
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING: 6-minute walk from Hotel to FES”AN outlet
- Recommended item: Jajamen (じゃじゃ麺)
Known as one of the “Three Great Noodles” of Morioka, jajamen is best enjoyed when you mix up the flat flour noodles (similar to udon noodles), miso (味噌), minced meat, sesame and mushrooms together. Locals love having jajamen for lunch, dinner, and even after a night of drinking! It is definitely a must-try when you visit Morioka City. One of the popular jajamen joints in the city is Pairon, whose outlets are located not just throughout the city but also within Morioka Station’s connecting shopping mall FES”AN!
2. AZUMAYA (東家)
(Image credit: 東家)
- Rating: ★★★★★
- Cuisines: Seafood
- Suitable for: Families
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA: 5-minute walk from Hotel
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING: 8-minute walk from Hotel
- Recommended item: Wanko Soba (わんこそば)
Another one of the “Three Great Noodles” of Morioka is wanko soba. Many who visit Morioka partake in the Wanko Soba Challenge—to start, you have to take off the lid of your bowl and allow the server to pour one portion of soba noodles into your bowl. As you finish one mini-serving at a time, the soba servers will continuously refill your bowl while chanting "Hai Don Don" (はい、ど～んどん) to cheer you on. Try to reach 100 bowls—successful challengers will receive a wooden plague as a sign of victory!
3. Yanagiya (柳家)
(Image credit: 柳家)
- Rating: ★★★⯪☆
- Cuisines: Chicken, fish, beef, pork
- Suitable for: Couples
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA: 3-minute walk from Hotel to FES”AN outlet
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING: 6-minute walk from Hotel to FES”AN outlet
- Recommended item: Kimchi Natto Ramen (キムチ納豆ラーメン)
Yanagiya is a well-known brand with over 40 years of history, established with the mission of “Issho Ippin” (一食一品 one life, one dish) which exemplifies the amount of thought and effort put in to create a good bowl of ramen. Look out for their original creation that is the Kimchi Natto Ramen—the sourness and spiciness of kimchi is a surprisingly perfect match with the neba-neba (ネバネバ sticky) goodness of natto!
4. The local bread “FUKUDA-PAN” (福田パン)
(Image credit: 福田パン)
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Cuisines: Bakery
- Suitable for: Families, couples
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA: 15-minute walk from Hotel
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING: 13-minute walk from Hotel
- Recommended item: Ann Butter Bread (あんバターパン)
FUKUDA-PAN is a long-established store with 70 years of history. Prior to setting up FUKUDA-PAN, the founder had originally worked in Iwate University, and wanted to provide an affordable yet filling meal for the students. It has been so popular that it is often called the “Soul food of Morioka”. At the flagship store, you can choose the filling to go along with the fluffy bread. With over 50 fillings to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice! A perfect way to enjoy FUKUDA-PAN would be to have it while enjoying a lovely picnic at Morioka Castle Site Park (盛岡城跡公園 Morioka-jōato kōen), also known as Iwate Park (岩手公園 Iwate kōen).
5. SEIROUKAKU (盛楼閣)
(Image credit:盛楼閣)
- Rating: ★★★★★
- Cuisines: Beef
- Suitable for: Families
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA: 5-minute walk from Hotel
- Distance from HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING: 3-minute walk from Hotel
- Recommended item: Reimen (冷麺)
Opened in 1982, this restaurant is famously known for its homemade noodles whose ingredients are adjusted according to the weather and temperature. Many fans love the soup, which takes more than three days to make using beef raised in Japan. To top it off, the homemade kimchi balances out the flavour and spiciness. You can choose from different spice levels to best suit your palate!
Attractions
1. Hachimantai Aspite Line (八幡平アスピーテライン)
(Image credit: Iwate Prefecture)
- 2 hours by direct bus
The Hachimantai Aspite Line is known as one of Japan’s most scenic roads. You can enjoy the panoramic view of colorful beeches and maples at every curve in autumn, and in late April, the road is reopened with impressively high walls of snow which can reach a height of 6m in some parts. Experience the beauty of both winter and spring on the Hachimantai Aspite Line, by driving through the corridor of snow which will then lead to cherry blossoms in bloom at the base of Hachimantai.
2. Kitakami (北上)
(Image credit: Iwate Prefecture)
- 20-minutes by shinkansen + walk
Kitakami City (北上市 Kitakami-shi) is home to Kitakami City Tenshochi Municipal Park (北上展勝地公園 Kitakamitenshōchi kōen), one of the three famous cherry blossom spots in Tohoku. This park boasts about 10,000 cherry trees in about 150 different varieties. In spring, enjoy pleasure boat rides along the river, sightseeing horse-drawn carriages running along the line of cherry trees, and the beautifully illuminated lines of cherry trees reflected on the river surface.
3. Geibi Gorge (猊鼻渓)
(Image credit: Iwate Prefecture)
- 70-minute by shinkansen + JR Local Train
The best way to experience Geibi Gorge is on a boat cruise that brings you up and down the river. On the ride, enjoy the boatman’s traditional river song as he poles you along. Boats operate year-round, so covered crafts with heaters are deployed in the winter months, and even offer the option for a warming hotpot soup during the ride.
Japanese style twin room at HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING (Image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)
With oodles of noodles to try out and scenic sightseeing spots to visit, it is no surprise that visitors make returning trips to Iwate Prefecture. Whether you're a first-time traveller or a Japan expert, do remember to include HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA and HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING in your next itinerary when visiting Japan.
HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA (ホテルメトロポリタン 盛岡)
Address: 1-44, Moriokaekimaedori, Morioka, Iwate 020-0034
Nearest station: Morioka Station (盛岡駅)
No. of rooms: 191
Check-in 2:00 PM / Check-out 11:00 AM
Tel: +81-19-625-1211
HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA NEW WING
Address: 2-27, Moriokaekimaekitadori, Morioka,Iwate 020-0033
Nearest station: Morioka Station (盛岡駅)
No. of rooms: 121
Check-in 2:00 PM / Check-out 11:00 AM
Tel: +81-19-625-1211
Header image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS
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