Miyako-Iwate (Honshu, Japan)

Miyako is a port city in Japan's Iwate Prefecture (Honshu Island) with a population of around 53,000. Miyako is linked to Morioka (Iwate's capital city) via railway and highway. Port Miyako a small seaport that serves ferries and cruise ships. Parts of the city are within two National Parks (Sanriku Fukko and Hayachine Quasi). Over 80% of Miyako City's area is mountainous and heavily forested.

Japan's other similarly named cruise destination is Miyakojima (Miyako Island). Miyako-Iwate is served by two railway companies - JR East (Yamada Line) and Sanriku (Kita-Rias Line). Yamada Line interlinks the train stations Kuzakai-Matsukusa-Hiratsuto-Kawauchi-Hakoishi-Rikuchu Kawai-Haratai-Moichi-Hikime-Kebaraichi-Sentoku-Miyako-Sokei-Tsugaruishi. Kita-Rias Line interlinks the train stations Miyako-Yamaguchi Danchi-Ichinowatari-Sabane-Taro-Settai. The city is also connected via 3 highways (routes 45, 106, 340).

City's best-known tourist attractions are Jodogahama (Pure Land Beach, coastal rock formations along Miyako Bay), Todogasaki (Cape Todo, Honshu Island's easternmost point), Hayachine-san (Mt Hayachine, elevation 1917 m / 6289 ft), Sanriku Fukko NP (2013-established, running through 3 prefectures - Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi) and Sakiyama Kaizuka (Sakiyama Shell Mound, archaeological site).