11 Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Iwate for Family Trips, from Farm Experiences to the World of Children’s Stories

Iwate Prefecture has the largest area on Honshu, and traveling between areas can take time.
It is easier to get around if you decide in advance whether to focus on Morioka and Hanamaki, or limit your trip to the coastal area.
Some spots are difficult to access by public transportation, so depending on your destinations, consider traveling by car.

Iwate Prefecture has very different scenery in its inland and coastal areas. Inland, mountains and valleys spread across the landscape, while the coast faces the Sanriku Sea, offering completely different views within the same prefecture.
By traveling with these regional differences in mind, you can add variety to your experiences along the way.

In winter, Iwate Prefecture is easily affected by snow, which can change how you travel and spend time outdoors.
Mountain areas in particular receive heavy snow, so make a realistic plan by narrowing down the areas you visit or focusing on indoor facilities.
Changing how you spend your time according to the season can make the entire trip more comfortable.

This zoological park spreads across a vast site that makes use of satoyama woodland, allowing visitors to observe animals in an environment close to nature. Another highlight is the chance to see about 60 species and 300 animals and birds, from large animals to familiar creatures.
Various events such as feeding experiences are held, and there is also a restaurant and grassy plaza where you can relax while watching the animals. Families can spend a leisurely time here.

This amusement park is located on a small hill, Approx. 15 minutes by car from central Morioka.
Its appeal lies in its easygoing atmosphere, with everything from classic rides to thrilling attractions. Since there are various attractions suited to different ages, parents and children can enjoy the park at their own pace.
Nearby spots such as Iwayama Observatory and Morioka Zoological Park ZOOMO are also worth visiting together.

This complex consists of three zones: the Handmade Workshop, Nanbu Magariya House, and Morioka Regional Local Industry Promotion Center, where visitors can learn about and experience Morioka craftsmanship.
At the Handmade Workshop, Morioka specialties such as food and traditional crafts are gathered in one place. Visitors can watch artisans’ skills up close and try hands-on crafts such as indigo dyeing and pottery. Experiencing them together as a family is sure to become a special travel memory.

This spot is a farm spread across a vast site, where visitors can enjoy interacting with animals and experiences in nature.
Activities such as touring the grounds by tractor and farm-style gourmet food are part of its appeal. There are also horseback riding experiences for children, pony and rabbit feeding, forest craft activities, and more.
With animals close by, parents and children can enjoy their time from the same perspective.

This hands-on spot in a spacious park lets visitors interact with horses and ponies.
Beginners can casually try horseback riding, and there are experiences that bring visitors close to the animals, such as lead-rein rides and pony carriage rides. The grassy plaza and playground equipment also make it appealing for active time outdoors.
In addition to horseback riding, there are many experience programs that children can enjoy safely. Visitors can interact with animals in various ways, not only through riding.

This public ranch sits at an elevation of 650 meters and is among the largest in Japan.
In a peaceful setting where sheep graze across the pasture, visitors can enjoy feeding experiences and interacting with animals. Another highlight is the chance to see a variety of animals, including cows, alpacas, and goats.
The farm also offers food made with ingredients raised on-site and lodging facilities, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxed time in nature.

This hands-on facility is inspired by the fairy tales of Kenji Miyazawa. Through video, sound, and spatial design, visitors can enjoy the feeling of stepping into the world of his stories.
The interior is divided into several zones, with exhibits themed around motifs from his works, such as forests, starry skies, and the world of living creatures. You can enjoy a mysterious time as you walk through and trace the world of the stories.

This riverside park is a place where visitors can enjoy walking amid nature in every season. Known as a famous cherry blossom spot, the park has walking paths and cycling roads, making it ideal for a relaxed stroll.
Inside the park, there are many highlights, including the Tenshochi Rest House, modeled after a rice storehouse of the Nanbu domain, Michinoku Folk Village, where 28 historic buildings have been relocated and restored, and the Mitsuto Toneyama Memorial Museum. By stopping at these spots along the way, visitors can enjoy the park in many different ways.

This historical theme park recreates buildings from the Heian period across a vast site, allowing visitors to experience the lifestyle and culture of the time as they walk through the streetscape. Various structures are dotted throughout the park, making it well worth seeing just by walking around.
Visitors can also experience history through hands-on activities, including dressing in period costumes that let you feel like a Heian aristocrat, archery, a Heian-period-themed trick art museum, and, with a reservation, a special meal recreating food that Lord Hidehira and Yoshitsune may have eaten during the Heian period.

This scenic area is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument.
A dynamic gorge formed by unusual rock formations and a clear stream, it offers different views from place to place as you walk along the promenade. The varied scenery continues, from powerful currents to calm pools, and the chance to feel the scale of nature up close is another highlight. For children, it should be a valuable experience of encountering the great outdoors.

This scenic spot features white rocky shores and highly transparent seawater. Its unique terrain of unusual rock formations and the changing colors of the sea depending on the light are also highlights.
You can take in the beautiful scenery of Jodogahama by walking the inlet promenade with its maintained deck, or enjoy a panoramic view from the observatory at Jodogahama Rest House. There are also experiences where visitors can ride a sappa boat and enjoy the scenery from the water, offering a different perspective on nature’s appeal.

This hot spring inn stands along a gorge and offers bathing in a variety of baths, including open-air baths and spacious indoor baths. Guest rooms range from Japanese-style rooms to Japanese-Western rooms and Welcome Baby-certified rooms, making the inn suitable for family stays.
Inside the hotel, there are indoor and outdoor pools, an esthetic salon, children’s play areas, and a lounge with panoramic views, allowing both adults and children to enjoy a full day at the hotel. The restaurant also offers facilities and menu items for kids, making the stay comfortable throughout.

This hot spring inn stands beside a mountain stream, surrounded by nature for a relaxing stay.
Its greatest appeal is its hot springs, where guests can enjoy water drawn from three high-quality private sources in 17 bathtubs.
In addition to open-air baths, there are private baths that families can use, making it easy to choose according to the style of your stay. At Satoyama Dining, the buffet and Japanese set meals feature dishes made with local ingredients, adding to the enjoyment of the stay.

Located in the Hanamaki Onsen area, this hot spring inn offers a variety of hot spring experiences, including open-air baths, large public baths, and saunas. Guests can also use the large public baths at adjacent sister hotels, enjoying hot springs both inside and outside the building.
There are also spacious rooms ideal for families, such as a 12.5-tatami Japanese-modern room that accommodates up to five guests and a Western-style room with five beds. For meals, guests can choose between buffet dining and Japanese set meals, allowing each family member to enjoy food according to their own tastes.