A week-long market of food and drink from Iwate Prefecture is coming to JR Urawa Station. The Iwate Sanchoku Market (岩手産直市) runs from Monday, October 19 to Sunday, October 25, 2026, in the event space on the station’s east-west concourse. Two days stand out: on October 22 and 23, a handful of popular Iwate items are carried down on the Tohoku Shinkansen and sold in limited numbers.
Here’s what to know before you go: daily hours, who’s selling, which items appear on which day, and what the announcement doesn’t say.
| Event | Iwate Sanchoku Market (岩手産直市) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Mon, Oct 19 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00–20:00 Oct 19: 17:00–20:00 Oct 25: 10:00–17:00 |
| Venue | JR Urawa Station, east-west concourse event space (東西連絡通路イベントスペース) |
| Entry fee / payment | Not stated in the announcement |
What the market is
The market is organized by the JR East Morioka Branch Office and operated by JR East Aomori Shogyo Kaihatsu Co., Ltd., with cooperation from Iwate Prefecture. The aim is to support Iwate’s local economy and encourage people to visit. In practice, that means a stall area in the station selling Iwate products, together with a booth promoting sightseeing in the prefecture.
If browsing the stalls makes you want to visit Iwate itself, our guide to the Aki no Norihodai Pass, three days of JR local trains is a good place to start planning.
Opening hours by day
The first and last days are short, so check the day before you plan a trip around it.
| Mon, Oct 19 | 17:00–20:00 (evening only) |
|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 20 – Sat, Oct 24 | 10:00–20:00 |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 10:00–17:00 (closes early) |
Opening on the evening of October 19 makes it easy to stop by on the way home from work. On the final Sunday, aim to arrive before late afternoon.
Vendors and products
Six Iwate businesses are taking part for the whole week.
| Fujiwara Apiary | 藤原養蜂場 |
|---|---|
| Iwate Kensan | 岩手県産 |
| Suisen Shuzo | 酔仙酒造 |
| Komatsu Seika | 小松製菓 |
| Kikunotsukasa Shuzo | 菊の司酒造 |
| Rias Kaisoten | リアス海藻店 |
The announcement names four products as examples of what is on sale. The photos below come from the same announcement and are described there as images for illustration.
| Sesame dango | ごま摺り団子 |
|---|---|
| Morioka reimen (cold noodles), supervised by Maesawa beef shop Ogata | 前沢牛オガタ監修 盛岡冷麺 |
| Chiyoko-chan | ちよこちゃん |
| Junmai daiginjo sake Kiku no Tsukasa Yui no Ka | 純米大吟醸 菊の司 結の香 |
Like regional food from around Japan? Furusato nozei is another way to get it delivered. See our explainer on what donors need to know about the October rule change.
Shinkansen-delivered items on Oct 22 and 23
The headline items arrive through Hakobyun (はこビュン), JR East’s service for carrying cargo on passenger trains. Local specialties are loaded onto the Tohoku Shinkansen and sold at the market in limited quantities, and only on the day listed.
| Date | Item | Made by |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 22 | Fukuda Pan (福田パン) | Fukuda Pan, Morioka |
| Thu, Oct 22 | Hanamaki Onsen anpan (花巻温泉あんぱん) | Hanamaki Onsen, Hanamaki |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Ocha mochi (お茶もち) | Furusatoya, Morioka |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Morioka jajamen (盛岡じゃじゃ麺) | Hakuryu (白龍), Morioka |
Into limited-run food deals? This month we also covered the Taiyo no Tomato Men free ramen coupon festival.
Iwate tourism booth
Inside the market area there is a booth promoting travel in Iwate. It will show sightseeing videos from around the prefecture, put up posters, and hand out pamphlets. It is a handy stop if you are thinking about a trip north this autumn.
Before you go
- The first day opens at 17:00 and the last day closes at 17:00.
- The Hakobyun items are on October 22 and 23 only, in limited numbers, and can be cancelled or changed if trains are disrupted.
- The announcement does not cover prices, an entry fee or accepted payment methods. Bring some cash just in case, and check the official announcement for updates.
- The organizer notes that the program and schedule may change.
Want to rack up points on everyday purchases like this? Our guide to credit cards in Japan for foreigners explains which card to get first.
FAQ
- When is the Iwate Sanchoku Market at Urawa Station?
- From Monday, October 19 to Sunday, October 25, 2026. Hours are 10:00–20:00, except 17:00–20:00 on October 19 and 10:00–17:00 on October 25.
- Where exactly is it held?
- In the event space on the east-west concourse at JR Urawa Station.
- Which days have the limited Hakobyun items?
- Fukuda Pan and Hanamaki Onsen anpan are on Thursday, October 22. Ocha mochi and Morioka jajamen are on Friday, October 23. Quantities are limited, and sales may be cancelled or changed depending on train operations.
- Is there an entry fee, and can I pay by card?
- The announcement does not mention an entry fee or payment methods. Check the official announcement before you go if this matters to you.
Source: official announcement from JR East Aomori Shogyo Kaihatsu (PR TIMES, October 8, 2026). Details are as of October 8, 2026 and may change.