Use the middle day for temples or stay on the coast?
Stay two nights in Morioka if you want to visit both temples in a day without changing accommodation. For more time at Jodogahama Beach, choose one night each in Morioka and Miyako. The temple route uses JR local trains and temple buses; the coastal route uses the 106 bus and Miyako city buses. To visit the Red Brick Building in Morioka on the final day, leave time between your bus from the coast and departing train for the city return trip and indoor visit.
Choose a 3 days, 2 nights itinerary
Three days: a Hiraizumi day from Morioka
Spend two nights in Morioka without changing accommodation, seeing Motsuji's garden and Chūson-ji's Konjikido together. Take the JR Tohoku Main Line to Hiraizumi and a local temple bus on day two, then return to the same accommodation.
Three days: a Hiraizumi day from Morioka →3 days, 2 nightsThree days: Morioka, then the Miyako coast
For city walks and sea views on a short trip, spend one night each in Morioka and Miyako. Walk Jodogahama beach on day two; return to Morioka on the last day for the Red Brick Building before departing.
Three days: Morioka, then the Miyako coast →Three days: a Hiraizumi day from Morioka
Spend two nights in Morioka without changing accommodation, seeing Motsuji's garden and Chūson-ji's Konjikido together. Take the JR Tohoku Main Line to Hiraizumi and a local temple bus on day two, then return to the same accommodation.
Day 1 / Morioka Station → castle park → Morioka accommodation
After arriving at Morioka Station, walk the castle park and eat in the city. Stay in Morioka tonight.
- Morioka Station → Walk to the castle park
Walk from Morioka Station to the castle park, about 15 minutes in tourism association guidance.
- Castle park → Stone walls and Taiko Bridge walk
After the stone walls and Taiko Bridge, return towards the station for a meal and stay at the same accommodation.
Walk beside the stone walls and around Taiko Bridge, eat in the city and return to your accommodation. Avoid park construction areas and restricted paths.
Day 2 / Morioka Station → Motsuji → Chūson-ji → Morioka accommodation
Allow separate time for Motsuji's garden and Chūson-ji's uphill approach.
- Morioka Station → JR Tohoku Main Line to Hiraizumi Station
Take a JR Tohoku Main Line local train from Morioka to Hiraizumi Station. Direct and connecting services exist; search your date's stops and transfers. Morning travel leaves time for the garden and meals.
- Hiraizumi Station → Motsuji garden, then return to the station
Walk about 7 minutes from Hiraizumi Station to Motsuji's Oizumi ga Ike garden. Adult admission is JPY 700; hours are 08:30–17:00, until 16:30 during 5 November–4 March. After visiting and lunch, return to the station bus stop for Chūson-ji.
- Outside Hiraizumi Station → Runrun to Chūson-ji stop
Take the Runrun loop from Hiraizumi Station to Chūson-ji stop. In 2026, it runs Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during 11 April–29 November, plus daily on 13–16 August. Costs below assume a Runrun operating day. Otherwise, check ordinary return bus services and fares; the Runrun day pass is unavailable.
- Chūson-ji stop → Climb the approach for Konjikido and Sankozo
Climb Tsukimizaka past the main hall to Konjikido and Sankozo. Regular adult admission is JPY 1,000. Hours are 08:30–17:00 during 1 March–3 November and 08:30–16:30 otherwise; ticket sales end 10 minutes earlier. Special openings require additional tickets. Afterwards, descend the same approach to the bus stop.
Chūson-ji accessChūson-ji opening hours and regular admission
- Chūson-ji stop → Hiraizumi → Morioka accommodation
Return by bus from Chūson-ji to Hiraizumi Station, then JR Tohoku Main Line to Morioka. Choose a return bus allowing the climb, visit and descent first, then a train connection with a buffer for bus delays. Eat near Morioka Station and return to the same accommodation.
JR 1545MRunrun operating calendarJR Ekinet: date-specific trains and reference fares
Visit the temples on a Runrun operating day. Chūson-ji requires uphill and downhill walking; ticket sales end 10 minutes before closing. For both temples, travel in the morning to allow garden time, meals and the approach; choose the station-bound return bus first.
Day 3 / Morioka accommodation → Red Brick Building → Morioka Station departure
Finish with Morioka city exhibits the day after your temple trip.
- Morioka accommodation → Travel to the Red Brick Building
Take the Dendenmushi right loop from Morioka Station bay 15 to Morioka Bus Centre bay 15, then walk about 1 minute in facility guidance. The adult bus fare is JPY 150 per ride; return on the left loop from bus centre bay 14. Walk into the Red Brick Building for free and paid exhibits. Adult paid-section admission is JPY 300.
Dendenmushi right loopOfficial FAQOperator: loop bus guideFacility accessIwate Bank Red Brick Building: facilities and restored areas
- Bus centre bay 14 → Return to Morioka Station
After your visit and meal, take the Dendenmushi left loop from bus centre bay 14 to Morioka Station. Choose a return in your date's timetable with time before your departing train.
Red Brick Building hours are 10:00–17:00, last entry 16:30. On Tuesdays and 29 December–3 January, swap the interior visit with another day's park walk and meals. With no elevator or lockers, ask the facility about accessible visiting areas if stairs are difficult.
Included: Red Brick Building JPY 300 + Motsuji JPY 700 + regular Chūson-ji admission JPY 1,000 + Runrun JPY 400 + Dendenmushi JPY 300 + two direct local train journeys at JPY 1,600, the 17 October reference fare. Assumes the Runrun operating dates listed in this itinerary.
Extra costs and conditions: Excludes two nights' accommodation, meals, luggage storage, travel into/out of Morioka and additional facilities.
Partial costs per adult, excluding accommodation and meals. JR amounts use Ekinet search reference fares.
Official FAQMotsujiChūson-jiRunrun operating calendarOperator: loop bus guideJR Ekinet: date-specific trains and reference fares
Three days: Morioka, then the Miyako coast
For city walks and sea views on a short trip, spend one night each in Morioka and Miyako. Walk Jodogahama beach on day two; return to Morioka on the last day for the Red Brick Building before departing.
Day 1 / Morioka Station → castle park → Morioka accommodation
After arriving at Morioka Station, walk the castle park and eat in the city. Stay in Morioka tonight.
- Morioka Station → Walk to the castle park
After lunch, walk from the station to the castle park, about 15 minutes in tourism association guidance.
- Castle park → Walk, return towards the station and meal
Walk beside the stone walls and around Taiko Bridge in daylight, then return towards the station for a meal and overnight stay. Follow on-site detours around paths closed for construction or events.
Walk beside the stone walls and around Taiko Bridge, eat in the city and return to your accommodation. Avoid park construction areas and restricted paths.
Day 2 / Morioka Station → Miyako Station → Jodogahama → Miyako accommodation
Move accommodation from Morioka to Miyako and visit the beach today.
- Morioka Station east exit bay 7 → 106 express bus · Miyako Station
Take a 106 bus from Morioka Station east exit bay 7 to Miyako Station. Compare express and limited express services, weekday and weekend timetables and peak-period surcharges for your date. Allow separate time after arrival for the transfer to a beach-bound city bus.
106 weekend timetable towards Miyako106 bus timetable, fares and boarding stops
- Outside Miyako Station → Visitor centre → beach walk
From Miyako Station bay 3, choose a Jodogahama/Miyako Hospital-bound city bus serving the visitor centre. City guidance gives about a 15-minute walk from the centre to the beach. After beach and rock views, return to the centre stop for a Miyako Station-bound bus. Walking after getting off is extra to bus travel; choose your date's outward and return services before departure.
- Jodogahama beach → Bus and Miyako accommodation
After the beach walk, retrace your route to Jodogahama Visitor Centre stop. Take a Miyako Station-bound city bus, get off outside the station, have dinner and return to accommodation. Allow the roughly 15-minute beach–centre walk and bus waits; check the operator's weekday or weekend/public holiday return timetable.
106 weekend timetable towards MiyakoCity bus weekend timetableMiyako City
You must walk back from the beach to the visitor centre. Shorten your walk for weather and on-site restrictions.
Day 3 / Miyako Station → Morioka Station → Red Brick Building → Morioka Station departure
Leave your Miyako accommodation, return to Morioka and visit the Red Brick Building.
- Miyako Station → 106 limited express bus · Morioka Station
Return from Miyako Station to Morioka Station on a 106 bus. Travel time and fare conditions differ between express/limited express and weekday/weekend services; choose your date's departure with the operator. For the Red Brick Building too, leave time for city return travel and visiting between station arrival and onward departure.
106 weekend timetable towards MoriokaIwate Bank Red Brick Building: facilities and restored areas
- Morioka Station bay 15 → Red Brick Building visit
Take the Dendenmushi right loop from Morioka Station bay 15 to Morioka Bus Centre bay 15, then walk about 1 minute in facility guidance. The adult bus fare is JPY 150 per ride; return on the left loop from bus centre bay 14. Walk into the Red Brick Building for free and paid exhibits. Adult paid-section admission is JPY 300.
Dendenmushi right loopFacility accessOperator: loop bus guideIwate Bank Red Brick Building: facilities and restored areas
- Red Brick Building → Bus centre bay 14 · return to station
After your visit and meal, take the Dendenmushi left loop from bus centre bay 14 to Morioka Station. Choose a return in your date's timetable with time before your departing train.
Red Brick Building hours are 10:00–17:00, last entry 16:30. On Tuesdays and 29 December–3 January, swap the interior visit with another day's park walk and meals. With no elevator or lockers, ask the facility about accessible visiting areas if stairs are difficult.
Included: Regular 106 bus return JPY 4,600 + Miyako day pass JPY 500 + Dendenmushi JPY 300 + Red Brick Building JPY 300.
Extra costs and conditions: Add JPY 200 per ride where the 106 limited express peak-period surcharge applies. Excludes two nights' accommodation, meals, trains and luggage storage.
Partial costs per adult, excluding accommodation and meals.
106 bus timetable, fares and boarding stopsCity bus day passOperator: loop bus guideOfficial FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does the JPY 500 Miyako day pass include the 106 bus to Morioka?
No. The JPY 500 pass covers one day in the designated city bus area around Jodogahama and Miyako Port. The Morioka–Miyako 106 bus costs extra; this itinerary adds the standard adult fare of JPY 2,300 each way, or JPY 4,600 return. A JPY 200 surcharge per ride applies to limited-express services on designated busy dates.
City bus day pass106 bus timetable, fares and boarding stops
Sources and check dates
- Tourism association: park access ·
- Operator: loop bus guide ·
- Dendenmushi left-loop timetable ·
- Official FAQ ·
- Facility access ·
- Runrun operating calendar ·
- Chūson-ji ·
- Chūson-ji access ·
- Motsuji ·
- Miyako City ·
- Tourism association walking route ·
- Dendenmushi right loop ·
- JR 1532M ·
- JR 1545M ·
- 106 bus timetable, fares and boarding stops ·
- 106 weekend timetable towards Miyako ·
- City bus weekend timetable ·
- 106 weekend timetable towards Morioka ·
- City bus day pass ·
- JR Ekinet: date-specific trains and reference fares ·
- Chūson-ji opening hours and regular admission ·
- Iwate Bank Red Brick Building: facilities and restored areas ·