A complete guide to Iwaizumi Town. Access, sightseeing spots, souvenirs, and more.

Hello! This is K, the Miyako region manager. Iwaizumi Town , located in the northeastern part of Iwate Prefecture , is home to a shopping district filled with Showa vibes and tourist spots such as Ryusen Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves. We've put together all the essential travel information for sightseeing in Iwaizumi, including access information and souvenir information.

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Iwate Prefecture Coastal Regional Development Bureau

Hello! This is the Iwate Prefectural Coastal Regional Development Bureau, which is responsible for the coastal areas of the Iwate Prefectural Government. We are responsible for 13 coastal municipalities from Tanohata Village in the north to Rikuzentakata City in the south. On March 11, 2011, a massive tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake struck this area. Although we suffered enormous damage, we have been on the road to recovery thanks to support from all over the world. The area also places great emphasis on disaster prevention education, and has earthquake relics and facilities to pass on the history of the disaster. You can experience the history of reconstruction by walking with a guide. [Famous places in the north] Tanohata Village is home to Kitayamazaki, a series of 200-meter-high cliffs; Iwaizumi Town is home to Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves; Miyako City is home to Jodogahama, a beach of pure white stones said to resemble paradise; and Yamada Town is home to Oshima (also known as Holland Island) and Koshima, both of which float in a calm bay. The Sanriku Railway is the perfect way to enjoy this region. Take a leisurely ride on the local line and enjoy the scenery from the train window. [Famous places in the middle] In Otsuchi town, you can enjoy both the sea and the mountains, such as Horai Island, affectionately known to the locals as "Hyotan Island," and in Kamaishi city, the Hashino Iron Mine, the site of Japan's oldest surviving Western-style blast furnace and a registered World Heritage Site. This area is also famous for its local performing arts such as Toramai and ShikaOdori, and you can experience these ancient traditions at events and festivals. [Famous places in the south] There are many spots where you can experience the region's unique nature and culture, such as Goishi Coast in Ofunato, where you can enjoy the varied scenery of the rias coast; the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum in Rikuzentakata, which disseminates the facts and lessons learned from the tsunami; and Roukando Cave, a limestone cave with one of Japan's largest waterfalls inside a cave in Sumita town. This is an area where you can enjoy the blessings brought by the majestic nature while also learning the wisdom and lessons of coexisting with the threats of nature. We look forward to seeing you all.

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• Table of Contents
• What is Iwaizumi Town , Iwate Prefecture ?
• How to get to Iwaizumi Town
• Top 5 sightseeing spots in Iwaizumi Town
• Souvenirs from Iwaizumi Town
• Climate and clothing in Iwaizumi Town

What is Iwaizumi Town , Iwate Prefecture ?

The eastern part of the Kitakami Mountains. It borders three cities, one town and three villages, including Morioka City, and faces the Pacific Ocean on the northern Rikuchu coast to the east.

There is little cultivated land, and the proportion of forest land is high. The Omoto River River, the Akka River, and the Settai River are the main rivers, and settlements are formed along these river basins. The limestone layer extending from the Akka district to the Iwaizumi district forms a group of limestone caves, including Ryusen Cave, famous as one of the three major limestone caves in Japan, as well as Hiwatado Cave and Akka Cave.

It is also the largest town on the main island of Honshu (area: 992.36 square kilometers).

How to get to Iwaizumi Town

How to get from Morioka to Iwaizumi

Public transportation: Take a JR bus from JR Morioka Station for about 135 minutes. The fare during normal season is 2,710 yen.

Rental car: Approximately 110 minutes from Morioka on National Route 455.

If you are driving to Iwaizumi Town in the winter, you should drive with caution as the roads may be frozen when crossing mountain passes.

Top 5 sightseeing spots in Iwaizumi Town

1. Ryusendo Cave

Ryusen-do Cave is one of Japan's three largest limestone caves*. Its highlight is the underground lake, known as Dragon Blue and boasting some of the world's clearest waters. 700m of the cave is open to the public as a tourist course, and the total length of the cave that has been confirmed so far is 4,088m. The entire cave is estimated to be over 5,000m long, and investigations are still ongoing. *Ryusen-do Cave in Iwaizumi Town , Iwate Prefecture Prefecture; Akiyoshi-do Cave in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture ; Ryuga-do Cave in Kami City, Kochi Prefecture

Ryusendo Cave

027-0501 1-1 Iwaizumi Kannari, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate Prefe...

Ryusendo Cave is considered one of Japan's three largest limestone caves and, along with the bats that live within the cave, is designated a national natural monument. The known length of the cave is 4,088m, of which 700m is open to the public. Eight underground lakes have been discovered, of which three are open to the public. Investigations are still ongoing, so many parts are still unknown, but the total length is said to be over 5,000m.

Ryusendo Cave Homepage

2. Ureira Street Shopping District

Ureira Shopping Street is enveloped in a nostalgic atmosphere with many old houses remaining.

The shopping district is lined with storehouses, general merchandise stores, liquor stores, long-established confectionery shops, grocery stores, and other shops selling souvenirs that are unique to this place.

3. Akka Cave

With a total length of 23.7 km, it is the longest limestone cave in Japan. 500 m from the entrance is open to the public, and you can see countless icicles hanging from the ceiling, stalagmites, stone pillars, and various other stalactites. Along with Ryusendo Cave, it is designated as a national natural monument and a geosite of the Sanriku Geopark.

4. Michinoku Coastal Trail

The Settai Station to Hamanoeki Omoto Aidokan course is a relatively easy trail route on the south side of Iwaizumi Town. You can enjoy the trail while visiting many tourist attractions such as Moshi Beach, the Mosiryu Fossil Site, and Kumanohana Observatory. On the other hand, the Unosu Cliff to Omoto Fishing Port course that connects Iwaizumi Town and Tanohata Village is the only one of the routes designated as "physically difficult," with many ups and downs. At Sukudohama along the way, you can see a waterfall at low tide, making it a hidden scenic spot.

5. Hayasaka Takaharu

Located in the Chuo west part of the town, this prefectural natural park stretches along the old national highway 455. It spreads out around Hayasaka Pass, 916m above sea level, and this majestic grassland, where shorthorn cattle leisurely graze in the clear air, is a treasure trove of rhododendrons, white birch, linden trees and other highland plants, and the area that spreads across the gentle slopes of the Kitakami Mountains is the perfect driving course. Why not enjoy a nature bath by walking along the footpaths that lead through the white birch and beech Mori, or touring the dogtooth violets in early spring and flowers in early summer?

Souvenirs from Iwaizumi Town

The water from Ryusendo Cave and Iwaizumi Yogurt, which is said to be a favorite of Major League Baseball player Shohei Otani, are famous. At the sake brewery, Senkin Sake Brewery, they brew a sake called Yaezakura with water from Ryusendo Cave. At "Ryusendo Waka", located right in front of Ryusendo Cave, you can purchase various souvenirs.

Ryusendo Cave

Climate and clothing in Iwaizumi Town

Iwaizumi Town has relatively cool and comfortable summers, while its winters are characterized by severe cold, although there isn't much snowfall.

In the summer, you can of course wear short sleeves, but in the winter, you should take proper measures to protect yourself from the cold, such as wearing a down coat.

If you plan to visit the inside of Ryusen Cave in the summer, it is a good idea to bring a light jacket as the temperature inside the cave remains around 10°C all year round.

For more information, check the Tourism Association's website!

For more information, please check the Iwaizumi Town Tourism Association website.

Iwaizumi Town Tourism Association