Morioka Hachimangu is the principal Shinto shrine of the city, dedicated to Hachiman, the god of warriors and archery. The current main hall dates from the early 18th century and features elaborate carved woodwork under a broad irimoya (hip-and-gable) roof, a style typical of Tokugawa-period shrine architecture in northern Japan.
The shrine sits in a forested precinct on slightly elevated ground east of the castle district. The approach along the main avenue is lined with stone lanterns donated by Nambu clan retainers over the centuries. The autumn festival held here in mid-September — the Morioka Hachimangu Festival — includes mikoshi processions and traditional performances and is one of the liveliest events in the city's calendar.