From luxury to affordable! Let's visit Morioka, the city attracting attention from around the world! 8 recommended hotels and ryokan by price range

Morioka City is attracting attention in Japan after being selected as one of the "52 Places to Go in 2023" by the New York Times (NYT). Iwate Morioka City has many sightseeing spots such as Chuson-ji Konjikido, a cultural heritage site, and Morioka Castle Ruins Park, which has a rich history, as well as a variety of local gourmet foods such as wanko soba and Morioka cold noodles. Morioka's emotional and retro atmosphere invites you to get away from the daily routine and relax.

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From convenient and affordable hotels perfect for touring retro tourist spots, to luxury inns where you can relax and soak in beautiful scenery, Morioka City has many hotels to suit your travel style. So, this time we will introduce luxury hotels with a relaxing atmosphere and hotels with good value and good locations that are recommended for trips where you are mainly sightseeing.

From JR Morioka Station, drive for about 25 minutes and you will arrive at Tsunagi onsen Shikitei. The sukiya-style building blends in with nature and will help you relax and unwind after your journey. Located on the banks of Gosho Pond, time flows peacefully surrounded by beautiful greenery and silence. Forget the passage of time and enjoy a luxurious moment.

There are 6 types of guest rooms. This is a Japanese-style room with 12.5 tatami mats and a twin room with a spacious open-air bath. This inn welcomes babies, so it is recommended for family trips and couples who want to value privacy. The calming Japanese atmosphere will help you forget about your daily life and relax. Open the large windows and you will see an atmospheric stone-paved garden. Relax and unwind while feeling the breeze and greenery of Morioka.

The open-air hot onsen at the back of the garden is a natural hot spring. "Tsunagi onsen" is a strongly alkaline sulfur onsen that is said to have the effect of softening the skin and removing old dead skin cells. If you take a leisurely bath while looking at the greenery, your body and mind will warm up. Bathing while feeling nature is the perfect way to refresh yourself.

Dinner is a kaiseki meal that changes monthly. It is packed with seafood from Sanriku and mountain produce from Iwate. You can also enjoy the brand beef "Maezawa Beef". If you want something light, we recommend "Shabu-shabu", but if you want a fuller flavor, we recommend "Sukiyaki". Furthermore, the dashi stock, which is the key to the dish, is also made with ingredients from Iwate, such as "Katsuobushi from Makurazaki" and "Kelp from Sanriku". Of course, the rice is also "Hitomebore" from Iwate. The glossy rice has a soft sweetness that spreads in your mouth with just one bite. You can fully enjoy the local ingredients, and it is sure to become a memorable taste.

It's about a 40-minute bus ride from JR Morioka Station. You'll arrive at Bessou Kakei, which sits on the shores of Lake Gosho. There are six guest rooms, all built in the style of a sukiya-style building made entirely from Aomori hiba. All are villa-style suites with open-air baths. As children under elementary school age are not permitted to stay, this is recommended for those who want to enjoy a luxurious adult experience, or as a reward trip to mark an anniversary. If you prefer a retro atmosphere, there is also a one-of-a-kind room designed in the style of a traditional Japanese house.

The room is made of Aomori Hiba wood, giving off a soft, woody fragrance. The furniture and appliances are made in Japan and of high quality. The tables, chairs, and futons are all fully custom-made. You can expect a special stay. Another plus point is that amenities, yukata, towels, etc. can be added free of charge. This is a friendly inn for families traveling with small children. You can enjoy your stay as if you were in your own vacation home.

Each guest room has an elegantly designed indoor bath with a view, made from Aomori hiba and Towada stone, and a large open-air rock bath with a panoramic view of Mt. Iwate and the Ou Mountains. Soaking in the free-flowing hot spring water and beautiful scenery will replenish your dry soul. There is also a bedrock bathing service, which is a delight for women who care about health and beauty. Sweat out your daily fatigue and feel refreshed.

Breakfast is free, but dinner is on an order-to-order basis. The fee is added to the room service fee. You can enjoy fresh fish, meat, and seasonal vegetables that are unique to Iwate. If you want to try the Maezawa beef fillet steak or assorted sashimi, make a reservation in advance. It's best to enjoy it with a drink that goes perfectly with the menu. If you stay for multiple nights, not only breakfast but also lunch is free ♡

Morioka Tsunagi onsen Hotel Shion is a hotel surrounded by nature, with Lake Gosho visible from every room. You'll be enchanted by the seasonal scenery reflected on the lake's surface ♡ A luxurious stay is possible. It's about a 30-minute bus ride from JR Morioka Station, and a shuttle bus is also available if you make a reservation in advance. It's about 45 minutes from Iwate Hanamaki Airport, so you can also drive there in a rental car. You'll arrive at the hotel soothed by the beautiful scenery along the way.

After relaxing in your room, head to the large public bath to enjoy onsen. The "Nambu Magariya no Yu" bath is based on the Nanbu Magariya style, an architectural style that has been passed down in Morioka City. The unusual space makes you feel like you're bathing in a secret hot spring. There are also private baths available by reservation, so you can relax and enjoy the hot onsen with your family or friends. The lake view "Hitorijime no Yu" bath is also recommended. From each bath, you can enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Gosho to your heart's content.

Why not have dinner in your room? You can enjoy the delicious bounty of Morioka at your own pace without having to worry about anyone else. There are private dining rooms available, so you can select a meal venue that is perfect for the number of people. For a special trip, we recommend the luxurious "Hanayuzen Plan." Additional dishes include abalone sashimi, odoriyaki, and Iwate beef steak. This extravagant meal is sure to get the conversation flowing.

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Morioka Grand Hotel is located on Atagoyama Mountain, overlooking Morioka, about a 15-minute drive from JR Morioka Station. A free parking lot that can accommodate up to 300 cars is available, making it a great choice for those who prefer to drive. There are seven different room types to choose from. This is the Imperial Room, located on the south side of the top floor. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Morioka city and a beautiful night view. How about a luxurious trip to Iwate's state guesthouse hotel, which has been used by members of the imperial family and past prime ministers?

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Dinner time while enjoying the night view ♡ This is the dinner venue, restaurant "Grand Veneur". The chic atmosphere and perfect location will take you to an extraordinary world. Enjoy a special moment at this restaurant with a modern French concept.

There are two French courses. Innovative and delicate dishes will decorate your table. The menu changes with the seasons, and all of them are a feast for the eyes and the tongue. The dishes bring out the best in the ingredients, and are exquisite. You can enjoy delicious food as if you were enjoying art. Dinner reservations can be made up until 6:30pm on the day. This means you don't have to worry if you miss dinner during your sightseeing trip.

Richmond Hotel Morioka Ekimae is about a 3-minute walk from Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. There is an affiliated parking lot about a minute's walk from the hotel, so it is convenient for those who prefer to drive. There is also a convenience store on the first floor, which is convenient. This is a compact twin room. The natural atmosphere is relaxing. You can rest comfortably at night in the Simmons bed. It is recommended for solo travelers, workcations, and group trips as it can accommodate up to 6 people.

There is a coin laundry on the 7th floor. If you can do your laundry on-site, you can reduce the amount of luggage you need to carry. When you are enjoying sightseeing, your bag tends to get full as you pick up more souvenirs. This way, you can enjoy a lighter trip with less luggage. Choosing souvenirs will be even more exciting.

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Breakfast is a Japanese-Western cafeteria style that will please both Japanese and Western food lovers. There are about 40 different menu items to choose from! The three major noodles of Morioka, "Morioka Reimen," "Morioka Wankosoba," and "Morioka Jajamen," are all available♪ Breakfast is the source of energy for the day. Once you have a good meal and are charged up with energy, it's time to head out for sightseeing!

Hotel Metropolitan Morioka Main Building is about a one-minute walk from JR Morioka Station. It is directly connected to the station building, and by passing through a special passageway, you can check in and check out without getting wet even in the rain or snow. There is also a ladies' room, perfect for solo travelers! You cannot enter the ladies' floor without a key. Thanks to the perfect security, even solo female travelers can relax.

There are 28 ladies' rooms, all single. Recommended for solo travelers and business trips. In addition, amenities such as the ion steamer "Nanocare", cleansing lotion, and milky lotion are also available. There are also detailed services such as cooling sheets for your feet and bath salts that are "nice to have". A little healing while traveling will calm your mind.

For breakfast the next day, we went to the Chinese dining restaurant "JUEN." In addition to Japanese and Western dishes centered around ingredients from Iwate, the buffet-style breakfast also features Chinese porridge, which is unique to Chinese restaurants. After filling up on a delicious breakfast, you'll be full of energy and ready to explore the many tourist spots.

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Dormy Inn Morioka (Dormy Inn Hotels Group) is located about a 12-minute walk from JR Morioka Station. It's a little bit of a walk from the station, but it's conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from downtown Morioka. The so-called "Cinema Street" lined with movie theaters is also nearby. Free theater service is also available as an exclusive perk for reservations made through the official website. It's perfect for movie lovers, and it's also a great way to take a break while watching a movie after a day of sightseeing.

On the top 10th floor, there is a natural onsen with a sauna. The thick "Morden no Yu" water is said to have skin-beautifying effects. The smooth hot onsen water will soak into your skin and blow away your daily fatigue! After you get out of the bath, you will be happy to receive a complimentary popsicle. You can enjoy it for free from 3pm to 1am.

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The next day's breakfast is at the restaurant "Hatago" on the first floor. You can have a seafood bowl in the morning♪ They also have the famous "Morioka cold noodles". You can have as many refills as you like of the healthy Japanese side dishes! You may be confused by the wide variety of options. Hot dishes can be enjoyed piping hot, and cold dishes can be enjoyed cold. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you'll be full of energy and ready to enjoy sightseeing!

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Daiwa Roynet Hotel Morioka Ekimae is about a 3-minute walk from JR Morioka Station. There is a paid multi-storey car park on the premises. If the car park is full, there is another car park nearby, so you don't have to worry. The stylish guest rooms are equipped with smart TVs, so you can watch as many videos as you like.

In addition, the bathroom and toilet are semi-separate and equipped with a rain shower. It looks like you'll have a comfortable shower time. After checking in, you can immediately wash off the sweat and relax in your room. You'll feel refreshed without carrying the fatigue from walking around sightseeing into the next day!

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After a good night's rest, enjoy a delicious Japanese and Western buffet breakfast the next morning. The venue is the retro restaurant "Tresion L'Ulier." Enjoy a stylish breakfast while looking out the window at the Kitakami River. The casual French lunch and dinner options are also on offer.

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The menu uses plenty of ingredients from the six Tohoku prefectures. There is also a fresh vegetable salad and fruit bar. The dessert after the meal is a freshly baked crepe with honey. The natural sweetness fills your mouth and brings a smile to your face. It's sure to make your day a happy one.

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Morioka is a city surrounded by lush greenery and steeped in history. It is recommended for both leisurely trips to be soothed by nature and trips focused on sightseeing. You may discover charms that are not found in famous tourist spots. Select your accommodation according to the concept of your trip!