Located on Mt. Iwayama, overlooking central Morioka, Iwayama Park Land begins its 2026 spring vacation pre-opening on March 20. From its elevation of around 340 meters, visitors can take in sweeping views of the city and Mt. Iwate while checking out the park as it resumes operations after winter. The event also functions as an early-season promotional launch ahead of the full spring and summer visitor period.

At Ark Tategamori in Ichinoseki, a long-running flower festival begins on March 14 and continues into late May. In March, the grounds are decorated with early-blooming flowers such as crocuses and pansies, along with Easter-themed displays centered on egg motifs. The event is more than a simple flower-viewing occasion, as it combines seasonal landscapes with organic food culture and sustainable agricultural experiences.

At Flower & Garden Mori no Kaze in Shizukuishi, the illumination event Night on the Galactic Railroad continues through March 31. Inspired by the world of Kenji Miyazawa, the garden uses lighting effects to transform the grounds into a dreamlike early spring nightscape. Because sunset still comes relatively early in March, the event works especially well as an evening attraction at a time when outdoor sightseeing options are limited.

Held from March 1 to 3, Kuzumaki Town’s Machinaka Hina Matsuri is a community-based event in which shops and private homes display their treasured hina dolls. The event is more than just about exhibition, highlighting neighborhood participation and the strengthening of local ties after the long winter season, with these colorful doll displays a visual marker of spring’s arrival.

Running from late February to March 3, this festival in Oshu’s Mizusawa district centers on the region’s distinctive kukuri bina dolls. These dolls, made by wrapping fabric around cotton, are known for their rounded forms and simple, warm expressions. This event reflects the merchant-town history of Mizusawa and preserves a form of folk culture once familiar to ordinary households, a valued seasonal tradition in southern Iwate.

Held on March 17 in Hanamaki, the Hayachine Shrine Somin Festival is a rare example of a Somin ritual in March. The festival prays for a good harvest and protection from illness, with men competing over the Somin bag in a dramatic display of strength and devotion. Because the shrine is also associated with Hayachine Kagura, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, the event carries a particularly strong folkloric significance, and remains one of Iwate’s important traditional observances.

Held on the second Sunday of every month, Ohasama Kagura Day also takes place in March and continues to draw fans of traditional performing arts. The Ohasama area has long been known for its kagura tradition, and different troupes appear in rotation over the course of the year. This regular performance preserves the art form, while also creating a living system of transmission in which younger performers can train and local audiences can remain actively engaged.

On March 22, Iwate Grulla Morioka faces VONDS Ichihara at Iwagin Stadium in the opening home match of the 2026 JFL CUP season. For local soccer fans, this marks the return of a major spectator sport to the city after winter. A second home match against Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa is also scheduled for March 29, helping build early-season momentum.

Iwate Big Bulls continue their B2 League campaign through March following their March 1 away game against Kagoshima Rebnise. Home games, centered on Morioka Takaya Arena, are a polished indoor entertainment experience combining basketball with cheer performances and arena food, making them a popular spring outing option, especially while temperatures remain cool and outdoor leisure is still limited.

Beginning March 19 at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, the 98th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament is a major focus for baseball fans in Morioka and across Iwate. Although the event is not held in the city itself, interest remains high as strong schools from the Tohoku region, including Hachinohe Gakuin Kosei, are expected to compete.

Around Amihari Onsen in Shizukuishi, guided snow hikes are held every weekend through March 29. Using snowshoes, participants walk through the late-winter forest and observe the ecosystem as it shifts toward spring. The activity provides a relatively approachable way to experience snowy mountain terrain before the full hiking season begins.

Running from January 17 to March 22, this exhibition introduces the work of Leo Lionni, best known as the author of Swimmy. Original picture book artwork is among the highlights, making the exhibition appealing both to children and to adults alike.

Held from February 14 to May 10, this exhibition explores the history of seasonal observances through hina dolls and Boys’ Day dolls associated with Morioka. The display includes valuable historical materials that reflect the deep care families place in children’s growth and wellbeing, complementing the many hina-related events taking place across the region in March.

From February 28 to April 19, this exhibition presents hina dolls handed down through the households of notable historical figures from Morioka. More than a seasonal display, it offers a glimpse into the domestic aesthetics and cultural values of families tied to politics, literature, and public life in the city’s past.

From March 21 to April 13, an interactive exhibition celebrating the 85th anniversary of Tom and Jerry is held at the Kawatoku department store in central Morioka. Through digital elements and 3D displays, the event introduces this beloved animation franchise to visitors of all generations.

From mid-April to early May, Morioka Zoological Park ZOOMO is colored by around 500 cherry trees across the grounds. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the blossoms while also observing as the animals become more active in the warmer weather, making it a fun outing that highlights both biodiversity and the changing season.

In mid-April, Koiwai Farm’s famous lone cherry tree reaches its best viewing period against the backdrop of still-snowy Mt. Iwate. Standing alone in the vast green pasture, the tree has become one of the region’s iconic spring landscapes and a symbol of resilience within Iwate’s natural environment.

From April 12, visitors can experience the farm’s spring season through hands-on encounters with their sheep and rabbits, games and activities like Shepherd’s Golf, and even night-time illuminations!

From April 25 into the Golden Week period, Esashi Fujiwara Heritage Park in Oshu hosts a special spring program themed around the Heian era, with content including character shows, local performing arts, and hands-on experiences like period costumes you can try on yourself. With cherry blossoms falling around reconstructed historical buildings, the site takes on an atmosphere of an earlier age.

Although strawberry picking begins in January, April is when Kitakami Strawberry Garden reaches its seasonal peak, with the greatest range of varieties available. The warm spring weather makes the activity especially enjoyable for families, as visitors harvest their own fruit. As a spring outing, it offers a balance of fresh flavors, family fun, and agricultural engagement.

Continuing from March, Ark Tategamori’s Flower Festival reaches one of its highlights in May, when a wide range of spring flowers are in full bloom, including nearly 200,000 tulips! There are also seasonal events and activities like Easter egg hunts, and local seasonal foods to try.

Held from early to late April, the Morioka Sakura Festival is one of the city’s signature spring events. At Morioka Castle Ruins Park, cherry blossoms frame the old stone walls of the former castle, preserving the visual memory of the old castle, with evening illuminations and the sound of the Nakatsugawa River adding to the magical atmosphere. At Takamatsu Park, nearly 800 cherry trees circle the pond, making it another of the city’s classic hanami spots for both locals and visitors.

Morioka’s iconic Ishiwari Zakura, or Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree, reaches its best viewing period from early to mid-April. This Edo-higan cherry tree grows out of a massive granite boulder and has been designated a national natural monument, making it one of the city’s most famous symbols. Despite standing on court grounds, it draws large numbers of visitors each year during bloom season, making it a source of pride for Morioka residents and a powerful emblem of endurance.

Held on April 19, the third Sunday of the month, the Oshu Maesawa Spring Festival is a lively seasonal event that signals the arrival of spring in southern Iwate. Groups connected to yakudoshi observances and yosakoi teams parade and perform through town, giving the celebration a strong communal energy.

Running from April 18 to May 6, the Tono Spring Festival brings together traditional performing arts in the folkloric landscape of Tono. As spring arrives, kagura and shishi-odori performances are presented, bringing elements of the world associated with The Legends of Tono into living practice. The festival plays an important role in connecting local history and belief traditions to younger generations and visiting audiences.

On April 12, Iwate Grulla Morioka hosts Yokogawa Musashino FC at Iwagin Stadium. In April, the soccer season unfolds against the backdrop of spring scenery, giving the stadium a distinct seasonal atmosphere. Supporters’ enthusiasm not only energizes the team but also helps draw visiting fans into the city, contributing to local tourism.

From April through November, the Zaimokucho Yoichi market is held every Saturday along the Zaimokucho shopping street. Opening on April 4th this year, around 400 meters of road become a pedestrian zone lined with fresh produce, local beer, and regional specialty goods, a familiar Saturday ritual in Morioka.

Mid-April marks the end of the B2 League regular season, making this a high-stakes period for Iwate Big Bulls. If playoff qualification remains on the line, the final home games at Morioka Takaya Arena are expected to bring especially intense support from local fans. It’s a key moment for the team and one of the more emotionally charged sports experiences of spring.

Opening on April 17 and running through June 7, this major exhibition is one of Iwate’s headline cultural events for the first half of 2026. Featuring more than 140 works, it traces the life and art of Tsuguharu Foujita, internationally renowned for his distinctive “milky white skin” paintings. The exhibition also highlights Foujita’s connections to Tohoku, including Akita and Iwate, creating a meaningful bridge between global art history and regional context.

There will also be a Gallery and Artist Talk by the museum curator on April 24 at 2 PM (as well as several days in May), so it’s a good opportunity to get even more familiar with the artist’s works!

Starting April 22, this themed exhibition examines the political relationship between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Nambu clan during the period when the latter emerged as lords of Morioka Domain. By focusing on the region’s place within the larger politics of the unification era, the exhibition offers a local perspective on a nationally significant historical transition, making it particularly appealing to visitors interested in samurai and Japanese history.

Also at the Morioka History and Culture Museum, from February 18 to April 20 there will be a seasonal exhibition of hanging hina decorations gathered from the historic Natayacho area of Morioka. The display showcases handmade works created carefully by local residents, a good example of how public cultural institutions can work together with neighborhood communities.

From May 12 to 24, Esashi Fujiwara Heritage Park holds a special illumination of its 120-meter wisteria tunnel. In daylight, the tunnel offers a fresh and elegant purple spring landscape, while in the evening it takes on a more dreamlike atmosphere under the lights. Coming after cherry blossom season, the event helps extend the region’s sightseeing calendar, inviting visitors to stay even longer to enjoy the late-spring attractions.

From late April to mid-May, Karumai’s tulip gardens, located in Yukiyagawa Dam Forest Park, reach their best viewing season. Around 150,000 tulips bloom alongside scenery featuring windmills and a dam, creating one of northern Iwate’s signature spring landscapes. Local product sales and related events also help the festival function as part of broader regional travel and tourism.

Ahead of the May holiday period, Koiwai Farm fully opens its sheep interaction facility in the play area. Spending time with sheep in the fresh green pasture offers children a memorable hands-on experience while also providing a peaceful rural escape. The Makibaen Spring Festa introduced earlier is also still underway at this time, bringing even more to enjoy for visitors stopping by at this time.

Continuing from March and April, Ark Tategamori’s Flower Festival reaches one of its highlights in May, when a wide range of spring flowers are in full bloom, including nearly 200,000 tulips! There are also seasonal events and activities like Easter egg hunts, and local seasonal foods to try.

The Tohoku Kizuna Festival is held each year on a rotating basis in each of the six prefectures. In 2026, Morioka is hosting the festival. Held on May 23 and 24, the Tohoku Kizuna Festival is one of the largest events in Iwate in 2026 and one of the major highlights of the entire spring season. The festival brings together the six major festivals of Tohoku: Aomori Nebuta, Akita Kanto, Morioka Sansa, Yamagata Hanagasa, Sendai Tanabata, and Fukushima Waraji. The procession is scheduled along an approximately one-kilometer route in front of Morioka City Hall, with attendance expected to reach around 300,000 people!

Running from May 1 to 5, the Spring Fujiwara Festival is a major traditional celebration in the World Heritage town of Hiraizumi. The highlight on May 3 is the Minamoto no Yoshitsune procession, in which participants dressed in elegant Heian-style costume move from Chuson-ji to Motsu-ji. The event recreates something of the grandeur of ancient Hiraizumi and combines history, religion, and visual splendor in a way few festivals do. It remains one of the region’s most important spring traditions.

Held on May 3 at Sakuramatsu Shrine in Hachimantai, this festival takes place near Fudo Falls, one of Japan’s “100 best waterfalls.” Local performing arts and shows are staged in a setting defined by fresh greenery and the sound of falling water. The event evokes a deeply rooted connection between sacred nature and communal celebration.

Held on May 17 in Oshu, this marathon welcomes a wide range of participants, from full-marathon runners to casual entrants. Around 4,000 runners are expected to take part, moving through Oshu’s historic cityscape as the area enters peak greenery season. After the race, local food is served in the event’s hospitality offerings, reinforcing its role as a successful example of regional revitalization through sports.

From early to mid-May, the B2 League playoffs determine the league champion. If Iwate Big Bulls secure the right to host playoff games, Morioka Takaya Arena would become the focal point of intense local support from fans hoping for the team’s return to B1. The playoff format raises the stakes sharply, turning each game into a high-pressure event.

On May 16, Iwate Grulla Morioka hosts Azul Claro Numazu in a JFL CUP Round 7 match at Iwagin Stadium. Sponsor-linked activities and additional event programming are also expected.

In mid-May, the Tohoku Agricultural Research Center in Shimokuriya, Morioka opens its expansive rapeseed fields to the public. The event is not only about admiring the flowers, but also about introducing agricultural research and encouraging healthy outdoor activity such as walking. The contrast between the broad yellow fields and the blue silhouette of Mt. Iwate creates one of Morioka’s most striking spring scenes. It is a simple but memorable seasonal attraction.

From late April into June, the Morioka Arts Festival unfolds across venues throughout the city, featuring open-call exhibitions and performances in music, visual art, dance, and more. Because it is built in large part around citizen participation, the festival reflects the breadth of Morioka’s local creativity rather than focusing solely on established professionals, giving residents a platform to present their work and encounter the work of others, helping sustain the city’s cultural ecosystem.

This major exhibit runs through June, featuring over 140 works, tracing the life and art of internationally renowned artist Tsuguharu Foujita. In May, you can also catch several related events such as special lectures and gallery talks for the chance to get even more familiar with the artist and his works!

The May 2nd lecture, “The Art of Tsuguharu Foujita: Through His Connections to Akita and Tohoku,” delves into the exhibit’s featured works, while May 9th brings a materials workshop (advanced registration required; see website for details).
There are also several gallery talks scheduled for May 8 and 22, as well as on June 5. See website for full scheduling details and to register.

This exhibition at Morioka History and Culture Museum closes on May 10, making early May the final chance to see it. A final gallery talk is held on May 3, bringing the exhibition’s exploration of hina dolls and Boys’ Day dolls to a fitting conclusion. During this final stretch, many families visit to reflect on traditional wishes for children’s healthy growth and wellbeing.

From February 7 to May 17, the Archaeological Learning Center presents an exhibition of recent excavation findings from within Morioka. The display allows visitors to learn about the layers of history lying beneath the modern city and highlights the role of archaeology in shaping local historical understanding. Because it focuses on newly investigated materials, it also reflects current scholarly work rather than only established narratives. For those interested in the city’s deeper past, it is an especially valuable exhibition.