Weekend in Morioka: Sakura, Arcades & Caves | Iwate, Japan

Join a spontaneous weekend trip to Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, just 2 hours by toll road. Friday's cold, snowy weather didn't stop burgers at a local spot, sakura trees in the park, and mall shopping. Saturday featured brunch at affordable Brunch Morioka, games at the 6-floor Round 1 arcade, views of Mt. Iwate from Iwayama Observatory, the rock-splitting cherry tree near the courthouse, riverside photos, ramen dinner, and hotel onsen. Sunday: return to Brunch Morioka, then 2-hour drive to Ryūsendō Caves in Iwaizumi Town—one of Japan's three largest limestone caves with deep underground lakes (up to 390 ft), rare bats, opened in 1967.