Stay in Hiraizumi or continue to Miyako coast?
Choose three Morioka nights and one Hiraizumi night for Kenji and separate temple days. For historical temple displays then beach, choose two Morioka nights, one Hiraizumi night and one Miyako night. See both temples on day 3, heritage-centre terrain models, videos and excavated objects on the morning of day 4, then move to Miyako. Both dates need Run Run operations. Kenji plan includes local bus return JPY 340; coastal plan includes centre-day Run Run return JPY 400. Recheck dated JR references and choose your final-day return services from the beach to Morioka.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days / 4 nights
Five days: Kenji displays and two leisurely temple days
Stay three Morioka nights for city walks and Kenji displays, then one Hiraizumi night. Visit Motsuji on day 4 and Konjikido and Sankozo on day 5, giving the temples a day each.
Five days: Kenji displays and two leisurely temple days →5 days / 4 nightsFive days: Hiraizumi temples, then Miyako coast
Choose two Morioka nights, one Hiraizumi night and one Miyako night for temples/history displays followed by Jodogahama. See both temples on day 3, then terrain models, videos and excavated objects at the heritage centre on day 4 morning. Return by JR to Morioka and route 106 to Miyako, walking the beach on day 5. Both Hiraizumi days need Run Run operating dates.
Five days: Hiraizumi temples, then Miyako coast →Five days: Kenji displays and two leisurely temple days
Stay three Morioka nights for city walks and Kenji displays, then one Hiraizumi night. Visit Motsuji on day 4 and Konjikido and Sankozo on day 5, giving the temples a day each.
Day 1 · Morioka Station → Red Brick Building → Morioka stay
Visit Red Brick Building indoor displays after station arrival and stay in Morioka tonight.
- Morioka Station stop 15 → Clockwise circular bus to Bus Center
Take clockwise Dendenmushi from Morioka Station stop 15 to Morioka Bus Center stop 15. Facility guidance gives about one minute on foot to the Red Brick Building. Adult bus rides cost JPY 150. Return after viewing from Bus Center stop 14 on the anticlockwise service.
Clockwise DendenmushiOperator circular-bus guidanceFacility accessIwate Bank Red Brick Building facilities and restored areas
- Bus Center → Red Brick Building entrance and displays
Walk about one minute from the bus centre for daytime viewing. Last admission is at 16:30, and adult general paid-area admission costs JPY 300.
Facility accessOfficial FAQIwate Bank Red Brick Building facilities and restored areas
- Bus Center stop 14 → Bus, station return and accommodation
After viewing/meals, take anticlockwise Dendenmushi from Bus Center stop 14 to Morioka Station. Stay in the same station-area accommodation; tomorrow you will walk the park and Nakanohashi.
Red Brick Building opening hours are 10:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30. On Tuesdays or 29 December–3 January, swap indoor visits with park walks/meals on another day. There is no lift or lockers; ask about accessible viewing areas if stairs are difficult.
Day 2 · Morioka accommodation → castle-site park/Nakanohashi → Morioka stay
Walk the park and Nakanohashi without moving accommodation. Enjoy relaxed city walks/meals before tomorrow’s Hanamaki trip.
- Morioka accommodation and station → Walk or anticlockwise bus to park
Leave accommodation towards Morioka Station. The association’s roughly 15-minute park walk starts at the station. For buses, take anticlockwise Dendenmushi from stop 16 to 盛岡城跡公園; the association’s 盛岡城跡公園前 names the same stop.
Tourism association park accessOperator circular-bus guidance
- Castle-site park → Nakanohashi lunch and city-centre walks
Walk along the stone walls and Taiko Bridge, have lunch around Nakanohashi and explore central Morioka leisurely. Return towards the station and rest in the same accommodation.
Avoid construction areas and closed park paths.
Day 3 · Morioka Station → Shin-Hanamaki → Kenji museum → Morioka stay
Visit Hanamaki’s literary displays from Morioka. After Shin-Hanamaki, take a bus and walk uphill to the museum.
- Morioka Station → Shin-Hanamaki connection to the museum bus
Take Tohoku Shinkansen from Morioka to Shin-Hanamaki. From stop 4, take Tsuchizawa Line (土沢線) towards Hanamaki Station/Shinashina Hanamaki to Kenji Kinenkan Iriguchi. Search trains/buses separately and allow transfer time. City-guidebook riding time is about four minutes; adult one-way JPY 170.
Hanamaki City Tsuchizawa Line and fare zonesWeekday timetable linked by the cityJR Eki-net dated train and reference-price searchesLatest city-guidebook Tsuchizawa timetable and segment faresHanamaki City July 2026 transport guidebook
- Kenji museum entrance bus stop → Stairs, lunch and displays
The museum is about 15 minutes uphill from the stop, with 367 steps. Allow meals/stairs before daytime viewing. The museum opens from 09:00 to 16:30, and adult admission costs JPY 350; check the official closure calendar.
Memorial museum operations and accessHanamaki City current operationsHanamaki Tourism Association
- Kenji museum entrance bus stop → Bus and Morioka return
Retrace the descent to Kenji Kinenkan Iriguchi. Take Tsuchizawa Line towards Michi-no-Eki Towa to Shin-Hanamaki stop 5, then a Morioka-bound train. Search both returns and transfer margins separately. Adult bus one-way JPY 170, JPY 340 return included. Recheck timetables/fare changes in the latest city guidebook.
Hanamaki City Tsuchizawa Line and fare zonesWeekday timetable linked by the cityMemorial museum operations and accessJR Eki-net dated train and reference-price searchesLatest city-guidebook Tsuchizawa timetable and segment faresHanamaki City July 2026 transport guidebook
Allow uphill/stair walking separately from the bus. Shin-Hanamaki–museum entrance bus adult one-way JPY 170, JPY 340 return included below. Weekday/weekend journeys differ; choose your date’s table in the latest city guidebook.
Day 4 · Morioka Station → Hiraizumi Station → Motsuji → Hiraizumi stay
Move to Hiraizumi and see Motsuji’s garden, the first of two separate temple days.
- Morioka accommodation and station → Checkout and Hiraizumi Station
Take a JR Tohoku Main Line local train to Hiraizumi, checking direct/connecting services and stops for your date. Official station-to-Motsuji walking is about seven minutes. Travel in the morning to leave temple and meal time.
- Hiraizumi Station → Motsuji entrance
Walk about seven minutes to Motsuji and explore the garden around Oizumi-ga-ike. Open 08:30–17:00, closing 16:30 from 5 November–4 March; allow viewing time after afternoon arrival.
- Motsuji → Garden, rest and admission
After Motsuji, return towards Hiraizumi Station for meals and accommodation. Adult admission costs JPY 700. Tomorrow visit Konjikido and Sankozo before leaving Hiraizumi.
Return towards the station after Motsuji. Finish before the seasonal closing time.
Day 5 · Hiraizumi accommodation → Chusonji → station departure
Give your final Hiraizumi morning to Chusonji.
- Hiraizumi Station → Run Run to Chusonji
Take the circular Run Run bus from outside Hiraizumi Station to Chusonji. In 2026 it operates weekends/public holidays from 11 April–29 November, and daily 13–16 August. This cost assumes an operating day. Regular buses on non-operating days have different timetables/fares and do not accept the Run Run day pass.
- Chusonji → Konjikido and Sankozo viewing
Climb Tsukimizaka past the main hall to Konjikido and Sankozo. Adult standard admission costs JPY 1,000. The temple opens from 08:30 to 17:00 from 1 March–3 November, and from 08:30 to 16:30 otherwise; ticket sales end ten minutes earlier. Allow ascent/descent separately from bus travel and return down the same path. Special openings need separate tickets.
ChusonjiChusonji accessRun Run timetableChusonji viewing hours and standard ticket
- Chusonji bus stop → Hiraizumi Station return and departure
Descend Chusonji’s approach to the Run Run stop and take the circular bus to Hiraizumi Station. Check your date’s last temple bus and departure train together, allowing descent, waiting and station access.
Final-day Chusonji needs a bus/train connection after viewing and descent. For morning departures, move it to the previous day or another trip and go straight to the station.
Included: Kenji museum JPY 350 + Red Brick Building JPY 300 + Motsuji JPY 700 + Chusonji standard JPY 1,000 + Dendenmushi JPY 300 + Run Run JPY 400 + Morioka-to-Hiraizumi local train reference for 17 October JPY 1,600. Also Shin-Hanamaki Shinkansen return reference JPY 6,240 + Tsuchizawa bus JPY 170 each way. Run Run assumes operating dates above.
Extra costs and conditions: Four nights, meals, luggage storage, extra park buses and final Hiraizumi departure extra. Recheck Shinkansen reference prices for your seats/date before paying.
Partial costs for one adult, excluding accommodation/meals. Shin-Hanamaki Shinkansen return JPY 6,240 is an Eki-net reference. The museum bus uses latest city-guidebook one-way JPY 170, JPY 340 return. Different trains/seats/dates need prices rechecked.
Hanamaki City current operationsOfficial FAQMotsujiChusonjiRun Run timetableOperator circular-bus guidanceJR Eki-net dated train and reference-price searchesLatest city-guidebook Tsuchizawa timetable and segment faresHanamaki City July 2026 transport guidebook
Five days: Hiraizumi temples, then Miyako coast
Choose two Morioka nights, one Hiraizumi night and one Miyako night for temples/history displays followed by Jodogahama. See both temples on day 3, then terrain models, videos and excavated objects at the heritage centre on day 4 morning. Return by JR to Morioka and route 106 to Miyako, walking the beach on day 5. Both Hiraizumi days need Run Run operating dates.
Day 1 · Morioka Station → castle-site park → Morioka stay
After arrival at Morioka Station, walk the castle-site park and eat in the city. Stay in Morioka tonight.
- Morioka Station → Walk to the castle-site park
The roughly 15-minute park walk starts at Morioka Station; check your accommodation’s route/time separately.
- Castle-site park → Walk, eat and return to accommodation
Walk along the stone walls and Taiko Bridge in the afternoon, eat around Nakanohashi and return to accommodation. Keep day 1 mainly on foot for relaxed time before later long journeys.
Walk along the stone walls and Taiko Bridge, eat in the city and return to accommodation. Avoid construction areas and closed paths.
Day 2 · Morioka Station → Red Brick Building → Morioka stay
See Red Brick Building on your second Morioka day. Return to the same accommodation before tomorrow’s Hiraizumi move.
- Morioka Station stop 15 → Bus Center stop, then walk to Red Brick Building
Take clockwise Dendenmushi from Morioka Station stop 15 to Morioka Bus Center stop 15. Facility guidance gives about one minute on foot to the Red Brick Building. Adult bus rides cost JPY 150. Return after viewing from Bus Center stop 14 on the anticlockwise service.
Clockwise DendenmushiAnticlockwise Dendenmushi timetableOfficial FAQOperator circular-bus guidanceFacility accessIwate Bank Red Brick Building facilities and restored areas
- Red Brick Building → Displays, then bus to station/accommodation
Walk about one minute from the bus centre to free and paid displays. Adult paid-area admission costs JPY 300. Opening hours are 10:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30. Take anticlockwise Dendenmushi from Bus Center stop 14 back to the station for meals and the same accommodation. Tomorrow move to Hiraizumi for temples.
Clockwise DendenmushiAnticlockwise Dendenmushi timetableOfficial FAQOperator circular-bus guidanceIwate Bank Red Brick Building facilities and restored areas
Red Brick Building opening hours are 10:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30. On Tuesdays or 29 December–3 January, swap indoor visits with park walks/meals on another day. There is no lift or lockers; ask about accessible viewing areas if stairs are difficult.
Day 3 · Morioka Station → Hiraizumi → Motsuji/Chusonji → Hiraizumi stay
Move from Morioka to Hiraizumi, seeing both temples before staying there.
- Morioka Station → JR Tohoku Main Line to Hiraizumi Station
Take a JR Tohoku Main Line local train from Morioka to Hiraizumi. Direct and connecting services differ; check stops/transfers for your date. Travel in the morning to leave garden and meal time.
- Hiraizumi Station → Motsuji garden, then back to station
Walk about seven minutes to Motsuji for Oizumi-ga-ike garden. Adult admission costs JPY 700. Opening hours are 08:30–17:00, closing at 16:30 from 5 November–4 March. After viewing/lunch, return to the station stop for a Chusonji bus.
- Outside Hiraizumi Station → Run Run to Chusonji stop
Take circular Run Run from Hiraizumi Station to Chusonji. In 2026 it operates weekends/public holidays 11 April–29 November and daily 13–16 August. The subtotal assumes these dates. On other days, check regular-route returns/fares; the Run Run day pass is not valid there.
- Chusonji bus stop → Uphill approach to Konjikido and Sankozo
Climb Tsukimizaka past the main hall to Konjikido and Sankozo. Adult standard admission costs JPY 1,000. The temple opens from 08:30 to 17:00 from 1 March–3 November, and from 08:30 to 16:30 otherwise; sales end ten minutes earlier. Special openings need separate tickets. Return down the same approach to the bus stop afterwards.
- Chusonji bus stop → Run Run to Hiraizumi Station and accommodation
After descending, take Run Run to Hiraizumi Station. Choose the dated return first, allowing viewing, descent and waiting. Eat and stay near the station. Standard adult temple admission totals JPY 1,700; two Run Run rides JPY 400.
Run Run timetableMotsujiChusonji viewing hours and standard ticket
Choose temple dates around Run Run operations. Chusonji needs uphill/downhill walking and ticketing ends ten minutes before closing. For both temples, travel in the morning, allowing garden, meals and approach time; choose the return bus first.
Day 4 · heritage centre displays → Morioka Station → Miyako stay
Use displays to understand yesterday’s temples within historical Hiraizumi. Visit the heritage centre in the morning, return to the station, then travel via Morioka to Miyako.
- Outside Hiraizumi Station → Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center · 平泉文化遺産センター
Take Run Run from Hiraizumi Station to the heritage-centre stop. The official riding time is seven minutes, and the adult fare is JPY 200. The first morning departure is at 10:15. This route needs Run Run operating dates above. Address: 44 Hanadate, Hiraizumi. This is distinct from the similarly named World Heritage Guidance Center.
Run Run timetableHiraizumi Cultural Heritage CenterHiraizumi Tourism Association heritage-centre English name and Run Run access
- Cultural Heritage Center → Terrain models, video and excavated objects
Explore Hiraizumi’s history chronologically around the Fujiwara family. Terrain models with video and audio, alongside locally excavated objects, help picture the temples’ former surroundings. Admission is free. Opening hours are 09:00–17:00 from April–October, with last admission at 16:30. From November–March, they are 09:00–16:30, with last admission at 16:00. Check New Year/exhibition-change closures for your date.
- Heritage-centre bus stop → Run Run back to Hiraizumi Station
Take circular Run Run via Chusonji back to Hiraizumi Station, officially 13 minutes from stop to station. Adult JPY 200, two rides today JPY 400. Choose the return before viewing so afternoon JR and route 106 connect.
Run Run timetableHiraizumi Tourism Association heritage-centre English name and Run Run access
- Hiraizumi Station → JR to Morioka
Take JR Tohoku Main Line to Morioka. Continuing to Miyako needs bus-stop access/waiting after rail arrival. Search dated JR/route 106 journeys together for a workable connection.
- Morioka Station east-side stop 7 → Route 106 and Miyako accommodation
From Morioka east-side stop 7, take route 106 to Miyako. Choose your dated express/limited-express weekday/weekend timetable and check surcharges. Eat near Miyako Station and go to accommodation; Jodogahama is tomorrow.
Both temple and centre days need Run Run operating dates. Check centre closures, centre-to-station buses, Hiraizumi–Morioka JR and Miyako route 106 together. After morning displays, allow stop access, meals and waiting between trains/buses. Stay in Miyako and visit the beach tomorrow.
Day 5 · Miyako Station → Jodogahama → Miyako → Morioka departure
Walk Jodogahama in the morning, then depart via Miyako/Morioka.
- Outside Miyako Station → Visitor centre and Jodogahama
From Miyako Station stop 3, choose a Jodogahama/Miyako Hospital-bound bus serving the visitor centre. City guidance gives about 15 minutes from centre to beach on foot. After beach/rock views, return to the centre stop for a station-bound bus. Allow walking separately from bus travel and choose both services before leaving.
Weekday local-bus timetableMiyako CityRoute 106 weekday Morioka-bound timetableCity pass
- Miyako Station → Morioka Station departure
Take a local bus back to Miyako Station, then route 106 to Morioka. Check both bus connections and your Morioka departure train together. Shorten beach walks and prioritise returning if connections are tight.
Weekday local-bus timetableMiyako CityRoute 106 weekday Morioka-bound timetableCity pass
Walk back from the beach to the visitor centre. Shorten walks for weather or on-site restrictions.
Included: Red Brick Building JPY 300 + Motsuji JPY 700 + Chusonji standard JPY 1,000 + Run Run temple day JPY 400 and heritage-centre day JPY 400 + Dendenmushi JPY 300 + route 106 standard return JPY 4,600 + Miyako pass JPY 500 + Hiraizumi local train reference JPY 1,600 each way. Heritage-centre admission free. Both Run Run days assume operating dates above.
Extra costs and conditions: JR amounts are adult search references for 17 October outbound/18 October return. Four nights, meals, luggage storage, route 106 limited-express surcharges and initial/final travel extra.
Partial costs for one adult, excluding accommodation/meals. JR amounts use Eki-net search references.
Official FAQMotsujiChusonjiRun Run timetableOperator circular-bus guidanceRoute 106 timetable, fares and stopsCity passJR Eki-net dated train and reference-price searchesHiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center
Frequently asked questions
Can I use JR EAST PASS the next day after a Hiraizumi night?
Both JR travel dates must fall within consecutive pass validity: current official guidance lists five or ten consecutive days from your start. Temple buses, admission and accommodation are extra. Before buying, compare ordinary tickets including long-distance JR journeys beyond Iwate.
JR EAST PASS covered lines and validityJR EAST PASS eligibility and collectionRun Run timetable
What do I see at the heritage centre after temple visits?
Unlike temple walks, the centre uses terrain models, videos and excavated objects to explain historical Hiraizumi. Admission is free, and the JPY 400 Run Run return fare is included. Both temple/centre days need Run Run operations. After morning viewing, return to station, take JR to Morioka then route 106 to Miyako. Check centre closures and dated connections before leaving.
Sources and dates checked
- Tourism association park access ·
- Operator circular-bus guidance ·
- Anticlockwise Dendenmushi timetable ·
- Official FAQ ·
- Facility access ·
- Run Run timetable ·
- Chusonji ·
- Chusonji access ·
- Motsuji ·
- Miyako City ·
- Hanamaki City current operations ·
- Hanamaki Tourism Association ·
- Clockwise Dendenmushi ·
- JR 1532M ·
- Route 106 timetable, fares and stops ·
- Route 106 weekend Miyako-bound timetable ·
- City pass ·
- Hanamaki City Tsuchizawa Line and fare zones ·
- Weekday timetable linked by the city ·
- Memorial museum operations and access ·
- Route 106 weekday Morioka-bound timetable ·
- Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center ·
- JR 1537M ·
- Weekday local-bus timetable ·
- JR Eki-net dated train and reference-price searches ·
- JR EAST PASS covered lines and validity ·
- JR EAST PASS eligibility and collection ·
- Chusonji viewing hours and standard ticket ·
- Latest city-guidebook Tsuchizawa timetable and segment fares ·
- Hanamaki City July 2026 transport guidebook ·
- Iwate Bank Red Brick Building facilities and restored areas ·
- Hiraizumi Tourism Association heritage-centre English name and Run Run access ·