Hanamaki is a town nestled in the mountains of central Iwate. The Hanamaki area is well known for its hot springs, author Miyazawa Kenji and the SL Ginga train. Hanamaki is also rich in local folklore. You can find many interesting things in Hanamaki from unique worship rituals to rich traditions and stories passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, a visit to Hanamaki definitely should be on your list if you are ever in Japan.

Airports available in Hanamaki

Iwate-Hanamaki Airport (HNA)

Morioka Hanamaki or also known as Iwate-Hanamaki Airport (HNA) is a regional airport located 6 km from the city of Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Opened in 1964, this airport operates flights to international and domestic locations such as Shanghai, Taipei, Nagoya and Fukuoka. Airlines such as China Eastern Airlines, Fuji Dream Airlines, J-Air and Tigerair Taiwan operate from this airport. Despite being a relatively small airport, this airport is equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi, restaurants, duty-free shops, a nursing centre and ample check-in counters. To get to major destinations in Hanamaki from the airport, visitors can take the bus, taxi or trains.

How to get cheap flights to Hanamaki

It is easy to find cheap flights to Hanamaki with the help of Traveloka. Traveloka is a search engine that will help you compare prices of flights between airlines and provides you with the best option. To find the best deal, just search for the destination in the Traveloka website or the Traveloka mobile app, and it will show you the options that are available. You can also use the price alert feature to notify you of future price changes.

When is the best time to fly to Hanamaki?

The average temperatures in Hanamaki can vary drastically. The temperature is cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. For those who prefer to visit during the warmest of time to visit Hanamaki, the hottest months are August, July, and then September where the temperature is around 30.4°C and rarely dropping below 21°C at night. If dry weather is what you're after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Hanamaki are June, October, and then May. In contrast, it's most likely to rain or snow in late July. The snowy season usually happens close to early May. The busiest month for tourism in Hanamaki is from January, followed by March and April. Thus, it is recommended to visit Hanamaki in December when it is the least busy.

What are the top 3 things to do in Hanamaki?

Mount Hayachine - This mountain is one of the highest mountains in Iwate. Mount Hayachine consists of several peaks and is home to various unique and gorgeous alpine floras blossoming in the natural environment. If you are looking forward to climb this mountain, be sure to be prepared because, despite the beautiful weather conditions, it can quickly turn aggressive. Atop of the mountain, you will find spectacular views from on top of the mountain, with a field of alpine flowers, a dense forest below, and the ridgelines of Mt. Yakushidake to the south. There's also a formation of oddly shaped rocks that have become religious objects, some even inspiring folk tales of goblins and other supernatural occurrences.

Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum - Miyazawa Kenji is a famous author who was born in Hanamaki on August 27th, 1896. Miyazawa Kenji was highly celebrated by the locals and they also dedicated a monument to him, including his grave at Shinshoji Temple. Hanamaki and plenty of real-life buildings around mostly inspire his stories. The Miyazawa Kenji Memorial pays tribute to his amazing works throughout his life journey. Although leading a solitary life after retiring from teaching at the age of 30, he continued to educate farmers around him, but finally died at the age of 37. The museum is an introduction to Kenji's life and accomplishments, showcasing some of his personal belongings, originals of his works, videos, slides and books. If you are a book lover, this museum is a compulsory place to visit.

Hanamaki Hot Springs - The Hanamaki Hot Springs looks like something straight out of a painting. Tourists have the options of 11 attractive hot springs along with the Hanamaki mountain range. The onsens vary in sizes from being located in some of the largest and most comfortable hotels in Tohoku to small inns with a rustic atmosphere. Onsens have a history of being used as a health retreat by residents. Some of them are located outdoors by a river, or are a deep bath that people have to stand in, not sit. If you are visiting in winter, you will be able to relax in the hot springs while seeing the snow.