Shizukuishi: Home of the Biggest Japanese Private Dairy Production Center
Shizukuishi, Japan is a town in Iwate that obtained its town status in 1940. It merged with Omyojin, Nishiyama, and Gosho in 1955. It is home to Koiwai Farm, the country’s biggest, privately owned dairy production center. The nearest airport is Morioka Hanamaki Airport (HNA) or Iwate-Hanamaki Airport.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Shizukuishi is during the months of January, March, and April, for the perfect weather. The busiest months are usually January, March, and April. Tourists are least likely to visit in December. Every February, the famous Iwate Snow Festival is held. It features fireworks displays, the finest of local cuisine, intricate snow sculptures, among others. One of the highlights of the festival is the event, grill-your-own lamb dishes in an igloo. Visitors may also enjoy riding horse sleighs, sledding down snow slides, and tubing while being pulled by a snowmobile.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Ishiwarizakura or Rock-Breaking Cherry Tree is one of the must-see attractions nearby. About 400 years old, the tree grows out of a crack in a granite boulder. It was declared a National Treasure of Japan in the early 20th century. Another famous attraction nearby is Morioka Castle in Morioka. As a Shinto shrine, it was built in the second century for the veneration of the Shinto kami Hachiman. It is popular for its yabusame horse archery displays during its festival every September 15. A lot of Shizukuishi hotels provide compelling services at affordable prices, such as Hotel Shion, Shizukuishi Prince Hotel, and Aishinkan.