On this page we'll be hoping to display recommended businesses, services, shopping places, etc that may be of interest
to the foreigner community in Iwate. Please pass along your recommendations.
Art - The Iwate Museum of Modern Art often has good exhibitions.
Charity - If you have useable but unwanted items you may consider donating these to either the Fukushi
Bank op shop or to the Zenrinkan. The Fukushi Bank op shop is at the Southen end of Undo koen, not far from Tokyo Interior.
It aids people with special needs.
Churches - Bilingual service at Seisen Church. Sundays 1:30 pm. It's a congregation of
foreigners from Australia, the US, Africa, Caribbean, etc. Suit those used to Baptist, AOG, etc. Location - go 100 meters
from Central Post Office, past the pink Catholic Church. You come to Nio Primary School. Turn left into the street
at the back of the Nio School. Park in the grounds of Nio Primary School and the church is virtually across the street.
Listen for the music.
Dentist - Yoshida Clinic (near the Devil's Hands shrine) phone - 019 652 5511 hours - 9 to 1 2 to
5 (Wed afternoon closed)
Groceries - Yamaya stores generally have some items from foreign countries. Popular favorites include
cereal, corn chips, salsa, Thai products, kimchee, taco stuff, cheap "beer", etc.
Groceries - The Jupiter store in Fesan below Morioka Station has a lot of international goods. Favorites
include corn grits, decaf coffee, pretzels, Tim Tam cookies from Australia, chips, jams, herb teas, Spicy Mustard, soups,
baked beans, etc.
Hairdressers - Akiko and Michio Shindo run the Blue Hawaii Salons and Loco Moco. All three salons are
located in Sakana-cho. One salon is in the Nakasan Shotengi. The other two are nearby. There is also another hairdresser's
just opened up in Morioka. It is called the Luxe New York. The hairdressers have two years experience working
in New York and speak good English.
Movies - The Forum movie theatre which has moved to the Moss Building near Odori is Morioka's
most "American Style" movie theatre. The screens and seats are big and they allow eating in the theatre. The popcorn
is cheap, too.
Organic Food - There is a natural food store and fruit and vegetable store in Morioka's north.
Take Route 455 past the Rocky supermarket for 2 kilometers. It's on the left across from the big bus yard.
Pizza - Villa Restaurant. It has a trained pizza chef. Located 3 km north of Morioka Daigaku
on Route 4.
Restaurants - The Iwate JET website recommends a number of restaurants including Stella Monte,
Tandoori, Monsoon Cafe, Pairon (home of jyajyamen), Montan, Pica Peka, etc. Also, going at lunchtimes means you can
avail yourself of the incredibly cheap "lunch sets" that most restaurants have. Another good meal is the "baiking" (buffet/smorgasbord)
at the Hotel Ace. It is advertised as healthy food and is perfect for those who don't know how to order in Japanese.
The lunchtime all you can eat and drink (tea/coffee, etc) menu is 1100 yen. Dinner is 2300 yen.
Rugby - The Kamaishi Sea Waves are the local professional team. Check out their website for more
information. Sometimes games are played at the Minami Morioka ground near Iwate Iioka Station.
Tennis - The tennis court near the Shijushida Dam office is free to use. You must book by
telephone. We don't have the number yet.
Various - Iwate International Plaza. Now located in the new Aiina Building behind Morioka Station
and next to MALIOS. Services of all kinds - find a Japanese teacher, borrow English language books, borrow Japanese
language texts, read international magazines and newspapers, access the Internet for free, etc.
