Morioka, Japan

Capital City

With a population of just 298,348, Morioka is hardly a bustling metropolis. The winters are long, cold, and snowy, with average temperatures dipping below freezing for months on end. And while the city emerged from World War II largely unscathed, it still grapples with the bureaucratic headaches typical of any Japanese municipality. For those seeking a quieter, more provincial lifestyle, Morioka may fit the bill. But for urbanites craving the energy and amenities of a larger city, this remote northern outpost is likely to disappoint.