Speaking of Morioka, there are many local specialties, including the Nambu Ironware, Morioka Reimen, and a lot more. If you love handicrafts and want to see how they are made, visit Morioka Handi-Works Square (盛岡手づくり村). It is a spot where you can observe the craftsmanship up close and even give it a go!
Table of Contents
- An Overview of Morioka Handi-Works Square
- What Is Morioka Reimen?
- Pyonpyonsha Reimen Kōbō (ぴょんぴょん舎 冷麺工房)
An Overview of Morioka Handi-Works Square
The complex is divided into three parts: the Workshop Zone (手づくり工芸ゾーン), the Morioka Regional Local Industry Promotion Center Zone (盛岡地域地場産業振興センターゾーン), and the Nambu Magariya Zone (南部曲り屋ゾーン).
The Handmade Craft Zone is where you can watch craftsmen create crafts up close and experience craftsmanship while being taught by them. The zone is thus the most lively part of the village.
Other workshops at the Workshop Zone include bamboo crafts, pottery, dyeing, chest of drawers, and more!
The activity menus at the Workshop Zone have more food-related activities compared to other similar facilities in Japan. So, if you are a foodie, it is heaven for you!
For example, not only can you see Pyonpyonsha’s cold noodle factory, but you can also make a bowl of cold noodles from scratch! After a bowl of noodle soup, you can make a few Nambu sembei rice crackers (南部煎餅) or a grilled rice cake skewer for dessert (^_-)-☆.
Nambu Magariya Zone and Morioka Regional Local Industry Promotion Center Zone
You must be wondering what Nambu Magariya is. The L-shaped architectural style is unique to Morioka.
Why is the residence in L-shape? Because it combines the stable with the main dwelling to allow the heat from the main dwelling to pass to the stables in winter. It is unique to the area where horse farming used to thrive. The housing style that people from other parts of Japan can hardly imagine existed until around 200 years ago. So, if you are curious about how the locals lived with the horses, visit the Nambu Magariya Zone!
Agricultural tools and other items reminiscent of those days are also on display at the more than a century-old farmhouse relocated to Morioka Handi-Works Square.
Lastly, don’t miss out on the Morioka Regional Local Industry Promotion Center Zone. Around 4,000 types of local specialties are gathered and sold here! It is also where you can get Nambu Ironware on the day instead of waiting for a year!
Morioka Handi-Works Square’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Morioka Handi-Works Square is open from 8:40 am to 5 pm.
- It is closed from the end of December to the beginning of January.
- From Morioka Station, take a bus bound for Tsunagi Onsen and get off at Morioka Tezukurimura-mae (盛岡手づくり村前).
What Is Morioka Reimen?
Morioka Reimen, or Morioka cold noodles, was first introduced in 1954 by a Korean Yan Yonchoru (青木輝人), who opened a noodle restaurant in Morioka.
The noodles he served combined Hamheung cold noodles (咸興冷麺) and Pyongyang cold noodles (平壌冷麺). The resulting half-transparent noodle is the origin of Morioka Reimen.
The noodle made from wheat flour is really chewy but has a smooth texture that makes it easy to swallow. Like the Korean Raengmyon (cold noodles), Morioka Reimen is served in a cold soup, which makes the noodles extra chewy. As the soup is usually cooked from beef and chicken bones, it is not vegetarian friendly.
Pyonpyonsha Reimen Kōbō (ぴょんぴょん舎 冷麺工房)
Pyonpyonsha is Morioka’s representative barbeque and Morioka Reimen restaurant chain. While the restaurant doesn’t offer vegan options because of the meat cold noodle soup, you can experience making the cold noodles from scratch at their factory. Instead of queueing up at the restaurant, making your Reimen here means you will be served much faster and can participate in the end-to-end process.
It is cheaper, too, only 1,210 per person!
You might think making the noodles from wheat and taro potato flour will take a long time, but it only takes around 20 minutes for the noodles to be served!
And don’t worry about your experience level. The staff are there to assist you and ensure the noodles taste the same as those served in their restaurants. After your dough is completed, it is put into a noodle maker before boiling it on the spot. After the boiled noodles are rinsed with cold water, they become the translucent Reimen you see in restaurants!
Because the only way to eat the Morioka Reimen Noodles is to make it yourself, those who aren’t normally interested in noodle-making get to experience it. There was an old Japanese guy who walked into the workshop for noodles. He was hesitant about making the noodles himself. But, he gave it a go after we encouraged him. Fortunately, it was a great experience for him. He was happy that he made it to the end and had a big smile on his face!
Remember to bring a bottle of vegetarian broth if you are strict with your vegetarian diet. Toppings are then added by yourself!
In addition to cold noodles, kimchi and Reimen’s soup served in Pyonpyonsha’s restaurants are also made here. If you want to see how these are made, head to the second floor for the gallery and the observation space to overlook the manufacturing lines in the factory.
Pyonpyonsha Reimen Kōbō’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Pyonpyonsha Reimen Kōbō is open from 11 am to 3:30 pm.
- The noodle-making ends at 3 pm.
- From Morioka Station, take a bus bound for Tsunagi Onsen and get off at Morioka Tezukurimura-mae (盛岡手づくり村前).
Discover the Must-Visit Attractions in Morioka
When you hear of Morioka, Wanko Soba and Morioka cold noodles are probably the two first things that come to mind. But the city isn’t just about food. It also has many cultural attractions, hot springs, nature and more!
So refer to our Morioka article for ideas about where to stop by when visiting Iwate Prefecture’s capital city!
