Morioka Hachimangu Shrine was built in 1680 by the 29th feudal lord Shigenobu Nanbu. The god enshrined here has been revered by the locals since ancient times as the god for the roots of human life which include farming, industry, commerce, learning and the other basics of life. 

The shrine has been repeatedly rebuilt over the years after disasters such as the Morioka fire of 1884 and from damage from wind and snow. The current shrine was rebuilt as Shin-Hachimangu Shrine in 1997. The bright red Taisha shrine with brilliant carvings has a dignified presence as the new face of Morioka.

As the largest shrine in the prefecture and as a base for religion and celebrations rooted in people's lives, it is crowded even today with many worshipers throughout the year.

In addition to being the most-crowded shrine in the prefecture in the New Year for hatsumode, it also hosts Donto Festival and Hadaka-mairi on 15 January and the Setsubun Festival and Fire Prevention Festival on 3 February. In addition, the Annual Autumn Festival of the Morioka Hachiman Shrine, held from 14 to 16 September, features many floats and overflows with crowds enjoying the festival.