It was not until the end of the eighth century that the Nara authorities had penetrated deeply into Iwate, with Fort Shiwa, to the north of present day Morioka, constructed in 803.
Iwate faces the Pacific Ocean to the east, and borders Aomori Prefecture on the north, Akita Prefecture on the west, and Miyagi Prefecture on the south.
Iwate's industry is concentrated around Morioka and specializes in semconductor and communication manufacturing.