Prefecture/City:	Iwate Prefecture
Capital/Prefecture:	Morioka City
Governor/Mayor:	Takuya Tasso
Area:	15,279 square km (5,899 square miles)
Population:	1.29 million as of November 2013
Flower:	Empress tree
Tree:	Nanbu Japanese red pine
Bird:	Green pheasant

Business & Industry:

Despite being largely rural, Iwate has many factories, including those for large companies such as Toyota, Toshiba and Fujitsu. With the Kuroshio current running offshore, the ocean nearby is ideal for growing seaweed and Iwate produces more kelp than any other prefecture.

Tourism & Culture:

In Hiraizumi, see the Golden Hall of Chusonji, an ancient mausoleum decorated with gold and mother of pearl, and pick up traditional works of Hidehira-nuri lacquerware as a souvenir. In Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, view the majestic sea cliffs of Kitayamazaki.

Famous for:

The birthplace of famous Buddhist writer of poetry and children’s stories, Kenji Miyazawa. The “Golden Culture” of Hiraizumi that inspired the legend in Europe that Japan was the Land of Gold.