Skiers and snowboarders might want to test out the slopes at Appi Kogen Ski Resort, a skiing spot located 3 mi (4.9 km) from central Hachimantai. If you master the slopes, Shimokura Ski Area and Panorama Ski Area are also just a short drive away.
If you're planning a bit of sightseeing during your trip, head to Morioka Castle— just one of the landmarks located 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from central Morioka.
Ski the fall line at Shizukuishi Ski Place located 6 mi (9.7 km) from central Shizukuishi. If you master the slopes, Amihari Onsen Ski Area and Iwate Kogen Snow Park are both nearby.
It's feeding time at the zoo! If you want to be reminded of some of the great animals our world is home to, you might want to pay a trip to Morioka Zoological Park, located 2.8 mi (4.6 km) from central Morioka. Want to stretch your legs some more? Head to Marioka Castle Park and Morioka Kippushi Water Neighborhood, both nearby.
"A family of three loved the onsen (hot spring), snack options (Yakult, ice cream, and ramen), and wonderful breakfast! We loved the laundry access (free washer and paid dryer) and the parking option too. We'll definitely go back again. "
"Clean, spacious room. Large bath, separate toilet. Best location: one block from Morioka Station, in the other direction are shopping and restaurants street, castle ruins, red brick building, park. Excellent breakfast buffet to start the day."
"The front desk ladies did not speak English at all. They said can only provide paper statement or electric copy. They can not provide both. This sounds ridiculous."
"A nice set-up for a ski-in/ski-out resort. My kids also had great lessons with an English instructor. Getting to Appi Kogen was also quite easy with the buses from Morioka Station. We were also bumped up to a larger room, which was very comfortable, especially by Japanese standards. That was also great. However…..
The only drawback was the very limited food options, especially for dinner with young kids, who don’t eat very much anyway. We live in Japan, so we’re accustomed to Japanese portions, local izakayas, bentos, etc. But this was challenging. It was either spend 20,000¥-30,000¥ for a mediocre buffet, where the kids just wanted a few bites of the simplest food. Or a yakiniku restaurant that would’ve been 30,000¥ - 40,000¥ for a family of 4. High-end sushi spot that would’ve been even more pricey. (The room service menu is quite sad, and again would be close to 20,000¥)
Or, you’re left with getting instant Nissin ramen cups at the convene, which is what we ended up doing the last night. (Breakfast, again, pay steep prices at the buffet, or wait till the bakery opens at the comically late hour of 10:00am, when you of course want to be on the slopes.)
Anyway, I’d suggest packing some of your own bentos, or be prepared to pay. ¥¥¥¥¥¥"