Morioka City

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Morioka City

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Morioka City

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Wagner Custome Skis
Morioka City in Iwate can be used as a base to visit some of the Iwate ski resorts, as well as a couple of ski areas in Akita Prefecture. Staying in the city provides an opportunity to experience Japanese culture that’s not resortified as you typically find when you stay at some of the larger Japanese ski resorts. Other major pros of staying in Morioka are the huge choice of restaurants and bars, and the savings to be made on accommodation.

Morioka is the capital of Iwate Prefecture and is also the largest Iwate city with a population of approximately 300,000 people. 

Where is Morioka?

Morioka is located in the Kitakami Basin of the central part of Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Honshu, the main island of Japan. It’s located not too far southeast of the distinctive Mount Iwate, which can be seen from the city.

Morioka train station is on both the Tohoku Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen lines, so it’s very easy to travel to Morioka via train and it only takes 2.5 hours from Tokyo. See Japan Travel Navitime for routes, timetables and fares.

Ski Resorts Near Morioka

Appi is a major destination ski resort with hotels at the base and lots of amenities and services. Most of the other ski resorts near Morioka have a small amount of accommodation at or near the base and are small to medium sized ski areas with simple facilities.

If you’re not on a multi-resort guided tour where transport is included, it’s easiest to get around to the ski resorts if you have a rental car, which also provides the flexibility to visit an onsen on the way back to Morioka. It is possible to use trains and shuttles to get to most of the ski resorts, but it would be rather time consuming.
 
 MORIOKA  km  hrs:min
 Shizukuishi  17  0:25
 Shizukuishi Cat Ski  17  0:25
 Iwate Kogen  29  0:40
 Amihari Onsen  32  0:45
 Hachimantai Panorama  41  0:48
 Hachimantai Shimokura  47  0:49
 Hachimantai Cat Ski  50  0:50
 Appi Kogen  49  0:49
 OkunaKayama  51  1:10
 Tazawako  60  1:15
 Geto Kogen  70   1:10
 Ani  115  2:30

Morioka Hotels

One of the advantages of using Morioka as a base for a road trip is that you can stay in a quality business hotel for a fraction of the price you’d pay for ski resort accommodation. Stay near the Morioka train station for short stays or if you’re using public transport, whilst staying in the Odori area on the other side of the Kitakami River puts you in the thick of the restaurant and bar precinct.

Morioka Hotels
Tours That May Stay In Morioka

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Tohoku Storm Chaser
GUIDED SAFARI - NORTHERN HONSHU
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Areas + Cat Skiing
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Get away from the crowds & the tracked out snow, and also experience Japanese culture, food & unlimited powder on this Tohoku tour. Chase the best snow on the day in the far northern parts of Honshu, using the lifts as well as touring gear at times
Price p/p
USD 2,807
View Details
 
Inter Island Explorer Tour
MEGA POWDER CHASING ROAD TRIP
13 Nights | 11 Days Skiing/Boarding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
A big tour for the adventurous that takes in the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu, exploring the areas of Central Hokkaido, Otaru then Tohoku staying in Hakkoda area and Morioka. The ultimate road tripping powder hunting tour.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share option for 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,987
View Details
 
Tohoku Powder & Backcountry Guiding
BESPOKE GUIDING PACKAGES
Minimum of 5 days guiding
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Explore Tohoku with your own private group of up to 6 people & be guided to the best powder stashes. Choose your own adventure: resort powder; lift assisted backcountry; or backcountry touring. Minimum 5 days. Book just guiding or get other elements included.
Price p/p From price based on example itinerary of 6 nights/5 days with 6 people in group with twin/triple share accommodation included. 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,528
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Morioka City here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Central Iwate looking at Amihari & Iwate Kogen from Shizukuishi
TOHOKU GUIDED TOURS
PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
These PRIVATE guided trips will maximise your Northern Tohoku powder experience. Minimum 3 nights/3 days guiding. Options of in-resort powder hunting, lift-access sidecountry & backcountry touring options. Resorts include Shizukuishi, Geto Kogen, Tazawako, Ani, Hachimantai, Amihari & Appi.
Price p/p Rate per person for private group of 5 for 3 night 3 day trip
Base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
*Displayed price may vary slightly due to currency fluctuations
USD 844
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Morioka Freeride Tour
GUIDED FREERIDE TOUR
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Days Riding
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Advanced
Stay in the city of Morioka in Northern Tohoku & explore restaurants & bars by night. By day get guided to powder stashes at nearby ski areas within the off-piste and lift-accessed backcountry zones.
Price p/p
USD 2,150
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Morioka City here
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