Iwate (岩手町 Iwate-machi?) is a town located in Iwate Prefecture. As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 18,264. Built at the source of the Kitakami river (北上川), the town was founded in 1960. It is made up of four areas, the largest of which is Numakunai (沼宮内). Found on Route 4, the main highway of northern Japan, Iwate machi is famous for its blueberry production. A local farmers' market square produces blueberry ice cream, and is a wonderful place to laze away a summer's day.