Iwate Prefecture
Iwate is where I spend most of my time when I visit Japan. I live in Iwate as of 2025! My parents and my dad’s side of the family live here. I am hoping to make this list more usable soon. Here are my favorites:
Morioka - Nagasawa Coffee, Karakoma, Yoshida Life, Baeren Brewery, Asabiraki Sake, Craftbeer Hoppers, PyonPyon, Fukuda Pan, Sanka Outdoor & Craft Beer, Booknerd, Nanshoso, Mikoda Morning Market
Oshu - 315 Beer, Grow Burger, Cafe Poplar, Oigen Factory Shop, Oshu City Traditional Industries Museum, JA Esashi Esashi Furusato Market, Tambo Art, Oishinbo, Fujiwara Heritage Park, Shibazakura Park,
Ichinoseki - Sekinoichi Beer and Sake, Geibikei Gorge (pictured), Kanayama Rice Terraces, Michinoku Hydrangea Garden, Genbikei Gorge (yes, it sounds like the other one without the ‘n’, Sahara Glass Park, かっこうだんご (Kako Dango), Michinoeki Genbikei
Hanamaki - Sobe’s Cafe, Mannira Ramen, Hanamaki Toy Museum, 2021 MLB All-Star Game Plaque, Yusen Shidate Ryokan, Kowaen, Sasachou
Kitakami - Tenshochi Park, Wakana Steak House, Kobarasan
Nishiwaga - Kitchen Kai, Kinshu Lake
Harauzumi - Takkoku-no-iwaya bishamondō, Chuson-ji,
Tono - Good Hops Brew & Grow, Tono Brewing, NoTo General Store, Tada Shizen Farm Shop, Brew Note Tono, Tono Folktale Museum, Tono Furusato Village
Miyako - Jodogahama Beach, Uminomiruku
Iwaizumi - Ryūsendō Cave
Miyagi Prefecture
My mom’s side of the family lives in Miyagi but I haven’t spent as much time here. Usually just go straight to my grandma’s house.
Matsushima - Matsushima Fish Market, Cafe le Roman, Fukuurabashi Bridge
Kami - Yakurai Garden
Zao - Kokeshi-kan, Farmer's Cafe Corrot
Tomiya - Costco
