Iwate Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. It is on the island of Honshu. The capital city is Morioka.

 History 
The area of Iwate was part of Mutsu Province.

In 1869, Mutsu was split into five new provinces: Rikuōku, Rikuchū, Rikuzen, Iwashiro and Iwaki.  The first three of these together known as the "Three Riku", or Sanriku.Nippon-Kichi,  "Saw-tooth Sanriku Coastline". Retrieved 2012-1-12.

The new provinces were abolished in July 1871.Japan-i,  Sanriku Coastline/Kamaishi Daikannon . Retrieved 2012-1-12.

In the Meiji period, the provinces of Japan were converted into prefectures. Maps of Japan and Mutsu Province were changed in the 1870s.

Geography
Iwate is the second largest prefecture after Hokkaido.

The prefecture is in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island. It has the island's easternmost point.  The eastern coastline faces the Pacific Ocean.  Iwate shares its northern border with Aomori Prefecture.  The western border meets Akita Prefecture.  Its southern border is shared with Miyagi Prefecture.

Cities
 Hachimantai
 Hanamaki
 Ichinoseki
 Kamaishi
 Kitakami
 Kuji
 Miyako Morioka (capital)
 Ninohe
 Ōfunato
 Ōshū
 Rikuzentakata
 Tōno

National Parks
National parks cover about 5% of the total land area of the prefecture.Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture". Retrieved 2012-3-13. They include:
 Towada-Hachimantai National ParkJapan Ministry of the Environment, "Towada-Hachimantai National Park" . Retrieved 2012-3-19.
 Rikuchu Kaigan National ParkJapan Ministry of the Environment, "Rikuchu Kaigan National Park" . Retrieved 2012-3-19.

Shrines and temples
Tsutsukowake jinja is the main Shinto shrine (ichinomiya) of the prefecture."Nationwide List of Ichinomiya," p. 2 . Retrieved 2012-1-17.

The Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi include Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji. Hiraizumi was added to the World Heritage List in June 2011.

Related pages
 Provinces of Japan
 Prefectures of Japan
 List of regions of Japan
 List of islands of Japan
 Iwate Museum of Art

 References 

Other websites
 http://www.pref.iwate.jp/info.rbz?ik=1&nd=4334 ;