Shiwa sightseeing offers history, gourmet food, and hot springs! 8 highly satisfying tourist spots

Shiwa Town is located almost in the center of Iwate Prefecture. Blessed with nature, it has the Kitakami River flowing through the center, the Kitakami Highlands to the east, and the Ou Mountains to the west. It's also known for its thriving production of fruits and vegetables.

In addition, Shiwa Town is an attractive place for sightseeing with its historical sites. It has historically valuable tourist spots that are connected to Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture, which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2011. After a full day of sightseeing in Shiwa Town, you can relax in the hot springs. Here, we’ll introduce recommended tourist spots where you can enjoy history, gourmet food, and hot springs all in one place.

1. Shiwa Inari Shrine

Founded in 1057, Shiwa Inari Shrine is a historic shrine loved by both locals and tourists as Shiwa Town’s very own “Oinari-san.” Located in a nature-rich area near the mountains, the bright vermilion of its torii gates and main hall stands out beautifully against the surrounding trees. You can also enjoy the changing natural scenery throughout the seasons, making it a perfect spot for sightseeing photos!

The shrine is known for blessings related to traffic safety and passing exams. There’s even a dedicated prayer area for cars within the grounds. Another highlight is the shrine’s sacred cedar tree, which is over 1,000 years old. It stands 45 meters tall with a circumference of 14 meters, and is considered a symbol of longevity and vitality. Nearby, there’s another shrine called Shiwa Ko-Inari Shrine with a similar name. If you have time, it’s fun to visit both during your trip.

2. Goro Numa Pond

For history lovers, Goro Numa Pond is a must-visit sightseeing spot in Shiwa. During the Heian Period, it had a deep connection with the Oshu Fujiwara Clan, who ruled the Tohoku region from their base in Hiraizumi, Iwate.

The main attraction is the ancient lotus pond. The lotus here is propagated from the ones at Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi, where the mummies of the Fujiwara lords rest. The seeds were found in the head container of Yasuhira Fujiwara, the last leader of the clan. After more than 800 years, the lotus was brought back to life and blooms once again in modern times. Knowing these flowers are the same ones that people of that era admired makes them even more special.

The lotus blooms in the early morning during summer and closes by noon, so visiting in the morning is ideal. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms lining the pond, and in winter, you can see swans resting on the water. Take your time and feel the connection to ancient history in this peaceful spot.

3. Shiwa Fruit Park

Grapes, apples, and La France pears—these are all fruits that are abundantly produced in Shiwa Town. Known as the “Land of Fruits,” Shiwa Town’s natural environment and favorable climate make it ideal for growing a wide variety of fruits. Of course, the taste is exceptional! If you want to enjoy fresh fruits while sightseeing, be sure to visit Shiwa Fruit Park.

Inside the facility, there’s an experiential farm, a hands-on workshop, and a winery. You can enjoy fruit picking at the farm, make stone-oven pizzas or fruit tarts at the workshop, or tour the winery. There are plenty of fun activities to choose from! Since you can see and experience everything firsthand, it’s sure to create great memories of your trip. The wine is made exclusively from grapes grown in their own vineyards, offering a flavor unique to Shiwa Town.

4. La France Onsenkan

If you’re looking to relax after a long day of sightseeing, how about visiting La France Onsenkan? Named after the Western pear for which Shiwa Town is famous, this hot spring facility offers a refreshing break. The surrounding area features La France pear orchards and Mount Higashine, also called “Kotatsu Mountain” because of its trapezoidal shape, giving you a peaceful, open view of nature.

The facility has spacious large baths, rock baths, and open-air baths, offering a variety of ways to enjoy the onsen experience. The spring water is a gentle, alkaline simple hot spring, low in irritation, making it safe for children to enjoy. Relax your body and mind in this natural hot spring! You can visit for the day or choose to stay overnight.

Additionally, on weekends and holidays, there’s a heated swimming pool available. Kids will love the 86-meter-long water slide! It’s highly recommended for family trips.

5. Tsukinowa Sake Brewery

A great spot in Shiwa Town for both sake lovers and sweets enthusiasts is Tsukinowa Sake Brewery. There was a time when women were prohibited from entering sake breweries, but now, Tsukinowa proudly has a female master brewer (toji) leading the way.

Founded in 1886, Tsukinowa Sake Brewery is a historic brewery deeply rooted in the local community. While preserving the traditions of sake brewing, they continue to challenge new ideas, such as producing pure rice sake (junmai-shu) made with glutinous rice, which is usually considered unsuitable for sake. They also sell ice cream made with rice malt (koji). It’s a sake brewery that Shiwa Town is proud of!

At their on-site shop, Wakasaya, they sell their sake as well as rice malt gelato. Since they use the natural sweetness of koji, it’s lower in calories than typical ice cream, so you can enjoy it guilt-free! They also offer sake brewery tours on Saturdays only. How about visiting this representative brewery of Shiwa Town?

6. Akasawa Farmers’ Market Center

Shiwa Town is known as the town of direct-from-farm markets, full of delicious ingredients. There are as many as ten farmers' markets in the area! Among them, one you shouldn’t miss when sightseeing is the Akasawa Farmers’ Market Center. It was established in 1985 and was the second farmers' market in Iwate Prefecture.

Inside the market, you’ll find a wide selection of local products, such as apples, grapes, and Western pears, as well as premium edamame called "Shiwa Kucha-mame." Fresh vegetables and fruits make great souvenirs to bring back to your family from your trip!

At the adjacent restaurant, Karin-tei, you can enjoy local dishes made with ingredients produced right in Shiwa Town. One highly recommended dish is Hittsumi, a traditional food made from locally produced Nanbu wheat. Its chewy texture is addictive! Tasting these delicious regional dishes is sure to make your sightseeing experience even more enjoyable.

7. Coffee & Wine 4832

Shiwa Ogall Plaza is a modern complex opened in 2012 that includes accommodations, a library, and a marketplace. Simple yet stylish, it has a contemporary atmosphere. A spot you’ll want to visit while sightseeing is Coffee & Wine 4832. Just as the name suggests, it’s a café where you can relax with a coffee or a glass of wine in hand.

Whether it’s lunchtime or dinnertime, the dishes here often feature local vegetables and fruits. The menu is full of regional pride, with items like the Shiwa Mochi-Mochi Beef Croquette Sandwich, Iwate Yamagata Village Tankaku Beef Steak, and desserts made with fruits grown in Shiwa.

In addition to coffee and Shiwa-produced wines, they also offer a selection of fruit juices that reflect Shiwa’s reputation as the Land of Fruits. How about enjoying a coffee break in the afternoon or a relaxing drink at the end of the day as you reflect on your travels?

8. Shiroyama Park

Famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot, Shiroyama Park sits atop a small hill about 180 meters above sea level in nearly the center of town, offering fantastic views. During the medieval period, Takamizujijo Castle was built here, and the area flourished as the heart of Shiwa for many years.

Shiroyama Park is enjoyable year-round, but it’s especially popular during cherry blossom season. In spring, approximately 2,000 cherry trees bloom and fill the park with color—definitely a must-see! You can enjoy various types of cherry blossoms here, including Edohigan, Somei Yoshino, and Yaezakura.

During the Cherry Blossom Festival, food stalls line the park, and it bustles with tourists. The park is also known for its nighttime cherry blossom illuminations, so visiting in the evening is highly recommended. Plus, from the parking area, you can view the night scenery toward Yahaba Town, making it a great place to enjoy both the blossoms and the lights.

◎ Summary

Located about 20 minutes by train from Morioka Station, Shiwa Town is also popular as a commuter town for Morioka City. While it’s a relatively small town within the prefecture, it’s packed with great tourist attractions!

From historic shrines and parks where castles once stood, to ponds where ancient lotus flowers bloom—just like those at Chuson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi. You’ll also find Shiwa’s local sake, delicious vegetables and fruits nurtured by its rich nature, and hot springs near the orchards. One of Shiwa’s highlights is its beautiful, well-preserved natural scenery that enhances every sightseeing spot. History, gourmet food, and hot springs—all in one place! Make the most of your trip to Shiwa Town and enjoy a luxurious and wonderful journey!

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Shiwa sightseeing offers history, gourmet food, and hot springs! 8 highly satisfying tourist spots