Departure from Shin-Osaka, Tokaido Shinkansen No.68 bound for Tokyo

Arrival at Tokyo Station

Departure from Tokyo, Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa No.5 bound for Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto

Arrival at Morioka Station

Lunch at Morioka Cold Noodle, one of the three major noodles in Morioka

There are several restaurants near Morioka Station where you can enjoy Morioka cold noodles.
The Pyonpyonsha and Sakari Station are within walking distance from the station.
A rich and clear broth, simmered with beef bones and other ingredients, is perfectly complemented by the unique, chewy noodles, creating an exquisite dish.
If you do not like spicy food, you can adjust the spiciness to your liking yourself by ordering spices on the side or tell them “Karami betsu “.
Seiroukaku ↗ https://www.gen-plaza.com/
Pyonpyonsha↗ https://www.pyonpyonsya.co.jp/

Departure from Seorohkaku or Pyongpyonsha

Morioka Station East Exit, Bus Stop No. 7

Iwate Kenpoku Bus 106 Express bound for Miyako Station

Arrive in front of Miyako Station

Strolling through the shopping street and tasting soft ice cream at a clothing store⁉.

While strolling along the Suehiro-cho shopping street in front of Miyako Station, get a soft ice cream made from mountain dairy milk (delicious milk from cows raised on pasture in the vast pasture-land of Tanohata village in Sanriku) at the clothing store “Watahiro”.

Departure from Suehirocho Shopping Street

Departure from Miyako Station, Sanriku Railway Rias Line bound for Kamaishi

Arrival at Rikuchu Yamada Station

Check in to your accommodation

After putting down your belonggings, head to Yoimiya (the event held a night before the festival ) at Yamada Hachimangu Shrine.

Yamada Hachimangu Yoimiya Festival

Their local Geinoh, Toramai, performed in the grounds of Yamada Hachimangu is very fascinating.

Enjoy local Geinoh Kadouchi at bars and izakaya in Yamada Town.

After the dedication at Yamada Hachimangu, Geinoh performers will go out into the town to perform Kadouchi at snacks and bars.
Kadouchi is to stop by the gate of a house or store and perform Geinoh such as singing and dancing to receive a honorarium. Enjoy delicious drinks while watching them.

Arrival at Yamada Hachimangu Shrine

Departure of Mikoshi

A large portable shrine, Mikoshi, descends the steep stairs of Yamada Hachimangu. It is a very dangerous but exciting moment.

Let’s follow the Mikoshi procession with local Geinoh.

Many local Geinoh accompany the Mikoshies and go around behind it, offering dances at various places in town. Sometimes the Mikoshi could go wild.

Rent a bicycle (with electric power assist) at Rikuchu Yamada Station.

Advance reservation is recommended.
https://www.yamada-kankou.jp/information/rental-cycle/
*Must be returned by 5pm. No overnight rental is available.

Lunch at Roadside Station Funakoshi Igubesu

Roadside Station stands on a point overlooking Yamada Bay.
Iso Ramen with seafood broth is a very popular dish. Souvenirs are also available.

Cycling on Funakoshi Peninsula

The Funakoshi Peninsula is a inland sea and has calm Uranohama Beach, and the Whale and Sea Science Museum.
If you have time, visit the Aragami Beach and Aragami Shrine.

Map↗ https://maps.app.goo.gl/pT8v56BisCC96Bz96

Arrival at Rikuchu Yamada Station, and return bicycles

Enjoy food stalls while watching Geinoh stage at the Festival Plaza (Central Park)

There are many food stalls and kitchen cars in the festival square. In addition to local Geinoh, visitors can enjoy a stage for local bands and other performances.

Unwind at Umineko Onsen Yulax and relieve the tiredness of the day.

Bath and sauna. Facilities for rest and lodging.
Reflesh tiredness from today’s cycling to get ready for the big event of viewing the Mikoshi procession.
Umineko Onsen no Yu Raxhttps://uminekoonsen.com/

Preparing for the return of the Mikoshi.

Around 9:00 p.m., the Mikoshi that has paraded through the town all day return to Yamada Hachimangu Shrine.
Prepare for the return of the Mikoshi by walking with it as it approaches the shrine, or by securing a good vantage point for viewing the Mikoshi as it gets crowded in the precincts of Yamada Hachimangu Shrine.

Yamada Hachimangu Shrine, return of the Mikoshi

Yet carriers of the Mikoshi are out of energy by this time of the day, they will go up the first steep stairs of Yamada Hachimangu Shrine, and then goes wild for quite some time at the shrine grounds. Then, with the last of their strength, the Mikoshi pass through a small torii gate in front of the main shrine building, and go up another stairs to finally return home. It is the most exciting moments of the day.
Usually ends around 10:00p.m.

Departure of the Mikoshi from Osugi Shrine

A Mikoshi will head out from the shrine. Let’s follow the Mikoshi to the sea together.

Kaijyo procession (in a sea procession) at the Osugi Shrine Shinko Matsuri Festival

The Kaijyo procession will be performed amidst the lively chanting of Geinoh. The participants repeatedly enter the sea to pray for a big catch and safety at sea.

Departure from procession site

Get souvenirs at local supermarkets, Bhan Store

Shopping at privatly owned local supermarkets that are not national chain stores is fun. Be sure to make a purches local foods and sweets that are only found as souvenirs.
The origin of the Bihan Store dates back to the Edo era (1603-1868), when merchants from Owari Province (Aichi Prefecture) came to Sanriku.
They also develop Yamada’s soy sauce (slightly sweet), which could be a great souvenir.

Depature from Bihan Store

Arrival at Rikuchu Yamada Station

Departure from Rikuchu Yamada Station, Sanriku Railway Rias Line bound for Miyako

Arrival at Miyako Station

Lunch at Janome Honten restaurant in front of Miyako Station

This restaurant serves everything from sushi to fried seafood and Miyako’s specialty, bottled dong!

Depature from Janome Honten restaurant

Arrival at the bus stop in front of Miyako Station

Departure from Miyako Station, 106 Limited Express Bus bound for Morioka

Arrival in front of Morioka Station

Check-in and rest at accommodations in Morioka City

Morioka Inn → https://www.odette.or.jp/?page_id=327

Arrival at Morioka Museum of History and Culture

Morioka Museum of History and Culture is a museum where you can learn the history of festivals ; Morioka Chagu Chagu Umako, Sansa Odori, Morioka’s autumn festival, etc.
Morioka Museum of History and Culture https://www.morireki.jp/

Morioka Autumn Festival, Morioka Dashi floats Oemaki Parade departure ceremony

Dashi are all lined up. Every year, there is a performance of Nanbu-no-Kiyari (Ondo).

Morioka Autumn Festival Schedule→ https://www.odette.or.jp/?p=829
For other Morioka tourist information (Morioka Convention & Visitors Association) →https://www.odette.or.jp/

Morioka Dashi floats Oemaki Parade departs

This year Seven Dashi are scheduled to participate. They will parade down the main street of Morioka. The front side of the Dashi floats is called “furyu” and the back side is called “mikaeshi”. Each has its own unique twist, so don’t miss them.

Grab a drink in Morioka’s deepest spot, the Sakurayama Shrine area

Sakurayama Shrine Street near the Morioka Museum of History and Culture is full of old bars and restaurants.
Morioka Higashiodori Shopping Street→https://east-street.info/gallery/index.html

Special exhibition: Geinoh loved by Takuboku and Kenji

Two of Iwate Prefecture’s most famous figures, Kenji Miyazawa and Takuboku Ishikawa, each spent their youth in Morioka.
Through the exhibition “The performing art loved by Takuboku and Kenji” in Morioka Takuboku and Kenji Youth Museum, they will unravel the influence of local Geinoh, music and drama on the creative activities of these two artists.
The exhibition also includes a display of costumes from the Shishiodori.

Morioka Takuboku and Kenji Youth Museum: https://seishunkan.jp/

Depature from Morioka Takuboku and Kenji Youth Museum

Visit Morioka Hachimangu Shrine

It is during the Morioka Hachiman Shrine’s annual festival.
Morioka Hachimangu Shrine↗https://morioka8man.jp/

Departure from Morioka Hachimangu Departure

Lunch and souvenir shopping at Morioka Station

At Morioka Station, there are restaurants where serves jaja-men, one of the three major types of noodles, and restaurants where they use local ingredients.
Souvenirs from all over Iwate Prefecture are also available at the station, so save your time to choose your souvenirs.

Depature deom Morioka station,Tohoku Shinkansen Komachi 20 bound for Tokyo

Arrival at Tokyo Station

Depature form Tokyo, JR Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi 47 bound for Hakata