Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association

Official Tourism Association of Iwate Prefecture

The Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association is the organization responsible for tourism promotion in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Its website, available in multiple languages, serves as the official travel guide and gathers practical information for planning visits to the region. The association describes the prefecture as divided into four areas with their own characteristics: Central Iwate, with mountainous landscapes around Morioka; Southern Iwate, which includes the World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi; Northern Iwate, with the Goshono Ruins site and nature; and the coast, known for its seafood.

Resources for Planning Your Trip

The portal offers guides to destinations and experiences covering sightseeing spots, recreational activities, cuisine, onsen accommodation, and shopping for crafts and local specialties. It also publishes a flower calendar with blooming information and special travel articles, such as driving routes through the central region or the Sanriku coast. Featured content includes itinerary suggestions with duration and approximate price, such as tourist taxi courses in Oshu and Kanegasaki, with fares ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 yen depending on duration, or volunteer-guided tours in Morioka costing 3,500 yen per guide for groups of up to ten people. The site also provides information on the Dendenmushi loop bus, which travels around central Morioka in about 35 minutes with a fare of 150 yen per ride for adults and 80 yen for children, and one-day passes at 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children.

Guidance and Accessibility Services

The association offers visitors guide interpreter and tour guide services, as well as the Iwate Tourism Omotenashi Master program, hospitality experts. It also maintains a section with information on accessible tourism and centers with adapted facilities. For the educational field, it offers teaching materials and organizes school field trips. It also has a library of downloadable photos and videos, pamphlets and informational materials, and a contact list for document requests and various inquiries.

Events and Notices

Headquarters and Public Services

The association's headquarters is located in Morioka, and its office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The website is available in English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Chinese, among other languages, and notes that some translations are done using automatic software.

Location and Contact

Mariosu3F 2-9-1 Moriokaekinishitori, Morioka-shi, Iwate-ken 020-0045 · Phone: 019-651-0626 · Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM