Landmarks of Morioka: Iwate Bank Red Brick Building and the Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree

🚶♀️ Just a short walk from Morioka Castle Ruins Park or the Odori Shopping Street, you can admire two iconic landmarks of Morioka at once—the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building and the Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree. One tells the story of the city's history through architecture, while the other symbolizes the vitality of nature.

🔻 Iwate Bank Red Brick Building: Designed by Kingo Tatsuno, the same architect behind Tokyo Station, this is the only preserved Tatsuno-style building in the Tohoku region. Completed in 1911, its red brick walls and copper roof exude the elegance of the Meiji era. Now designated as an Important Cultural Property, the building houses exhibition spaces and an immersive virtual theater, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of century-old bank architecture.

🕰️ Opening Hours: 10:00–17:00 (Closed on Tuesdays and during the New Year holidays)
💰 Admission: Adults 300 yen / Children 100 yen / Free for children under 7

🔻 Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree: This Edo-higan cherry tree, over 360 years old, grows from the cracks of a massive rock and is located in the front yard of the Morioka District Court. During spring (around mid-April), when the tree is in full bloom, it becomes a must-visit spot for photography enthusiasts. Designated as a National Natural Monument in 1923, it stands as a symbol of resilience and rebirth.

🌸 Recommended Photography Times: Full bloom in spring, early morning, or during the golden hour at dusk
📍 Access: About a 20-minute walk from JR Morioka Station

Post by Jason906 | Jul 31, 2025