🗺️ Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Iwate Park)盛岡城跡公園（岩手公園）

Morioka Castle was built as the residence of the Nanbu clan in Morioka, starting in the second year of the Keicho era (1597). After the Meiji Restoration, in the 39th year of Meiji (1906), it was redesigned by the renowned pioneer of modern parks, Anbei Nagaoka, and transformed into what is now known as "Iwatete Park." In addition to being a nationally designated historic site as "Morioka Castle Ruins," it has also been selected as one of the "One Hundred Famous Castles of Japan" and one of the "One Hundred Historical Parks of Japan." The park features two ponds (moats), grassy plazas, cherry trees, and plum groves, creating a lush green environment. In spring, cherry blossoms and plum blossoms bloom, while in May, wisteria can be seen. In July, hydrangeas flourish, and in autumn, the leaves of maple and ginkgo trees display vibrant colors. During winter, a stone wall lighting event is held, making it a place for citizens to enjoy the scenery of all four seasons. Additionally, the park includes stone walls that reveal the castle's structure, a clock designated as a tangible cultural asset by Iwate Prefecture, and warehouses from the feudal era. There are also monuments dedicated to literary figures such as Inazo Nitobe, Takuboku Ishikawa, and Kenji Miyazawa, making it a site with many highlights worth seeing.

A park established at the former site of the Nanbu clan residence in Morioka Domain. Designed by Nagaoka Anpei, it was selected as one of the "100 Historical Parks of Japan." Seasonal flowers and nighttime lighting allow visitors to enjoy the scenery throughout the four seasons.