Hachinohe will at all times be some of the necessary cities in my Japan journey historical past. It’s the primary place I went after Japan reopened to tourism in September 2022, following practically three years of pandemic-related border closure.
In fact, this wasn’t a random selection on my half. Hachinohe was and is an interesting and distinctive metropolis, with a mix of delicacies, tradition and pure magnificence that’s tough to seek out anyplace else in Japan, and a notable lack of vacationers, even in comparison with different locations in Aomori prefecture.
Beneath, I’ll not solely discuss you thru my favourite issues to do in Hachinohe, but in addition clarify simply why this metropolis has been and continues to be so particular to me. I hope you’ll proceed studying!
The place to Keep in Hachinohe
As you may think for those who’ve spent any period of time in secondary Japanese cities, Hachinohe accommodations can depart quite a bit to be desired. I don’t imply this in an insulting manner—enterprise lodge properties comparable to Dormy Inn Hon-Hachinohe are completely purposeful; they only aren’t going so as to add something memorable to your journey, at the very least not for many vacationers. TIP: Do observe that in any case, you need to keep close to Hon-Hachinohe Station, slightly than Hachinohe Station.
Now with this being mentioned, there are some extra scenic choices on provide, relying on the place you keep. This could possibly be the small however genuine Happoya in central-ish Hachinohe, or an outlying property. I’m pondering of Hirono Resort Villa alongside the Tanesashi Coast an hour or so southeast of city, or Towada Prince Resort at Lake Towada, which isn’t actually in Hachinohe, however is a well-liked onward vacation spot.
What to Do in Hachinohe
Prioritize Kabushima Shrine
The primary time I visited Kabushima Shrine, which is positioned simply northeast of central Hachinohe, the seagulls that famously nest there had departed for the season. The seaside sacred website (it’s an island, actually) was nonetheless spectacular, nonetheless. This is the reason I at all times suggest that vacationers in Hachinohe make it a precedence, whether or not or not the seagulls (which nest there between early March and mid-August) are on the shrine.
Achieve some perspective
One other important a part of a Hachinohe itinerary? Getting an amazing view of town, be that from up excessive or at floor degree. On my newest journey I found Tatehana Park, which is admittedly primarily due to its standing as a hanami spot. Amongst different issues, it supplied an superior perspective on the quirky yellow Hachinohe Ohashi bridge, which is admittedly additionally cool to admire from floor degree.
Discover Nejo Citadel, with or with out shidarezakura
On the alternative aspect of Hachinohe metropolis, you’ll discover the Nejo Citadel Ruins. Whereas this website isn’t as “ruined” as its title suggests, the type of chateau can also be quite a bit humbler than the 12 authentic castles of Japan; set this expectation from the get-go. Like Tatehana-koen, it’s much more spectacular throughout cherry blossoms season, when a whole bunch of “weeping” shidarezakura timber paint the location pink. However belief me once I say that it’s value visiting one year per yr.
Savor native flavors
Consuming, as you may think, is likely one of the prime issues to do in Hachinohe. Fairly near the citadel ruins you’ll discover Hasshoku Middle, an amazing place not solely to attempt native meals (comparable to saba or mackerel and large oysters), however to drink locally-produced sake. Within the metropolis heart, you can even eat (and drink) your manner alongside the Miroku Yokocho alley.
Proceed onto the Tanesashi Coast or to Lake Towada
Wish to discover outdoors of Hachinohe a bit? When you don’t have a automotive, then I like to recommend persevering with to trip the JR Hachinohe Line from Similar (the closest station to Kabushima Shrine) to Tanesashikaigan, the closest station to the scenic Tanesashi Coast. When you’ve got a automotive, in the meantime, it’ll be quite a bit simpler to move southwestward to Lake Towada (although, to be honest, there are buses to the lake and round it as effectively).
How Lengthy Do You Want in Hachinohe?
Hachinohe, for those who take it solely to imply its metropolis heart, isn’t very huge. Holding in thoughts that it’s considerably of a far trek from Tokyo (and even throughout the Tohoku area itself), you need to most likely plan on spending a minimal of two nights right here. It will mean you can navigate the comparatively sluggish and rare prepare strains (or the extra frequent but in addition extra cumbersome bus routes) that join town’s main sights.
As you may think, the dialog round what number of days in Hachinohe you want expands for those who plan to discover outdoors of city. Notably, for every day journey you propose to take (be that the Tanesashi Coast, Lake Towada or elsewhere), you need to add sooner or later. A potential exception this is perhaps for those who’re snug renting a automotive, and don’t thoughts driving the a whole bunch of kilometers required to string these locations collectively between dawn and sundown.
Different FAQ About Visiting Hachinohe
Is Hachinohe value visiting?
Hachinohe is totally value visiting. That is true whether or not you hand around in town heart, consuming your manner by the Hasshoku Middle and visiting Kabushima Shrine, or take day journeys to close by locations such because the Tanesashi Coast or Lake Towada.
How do I get from Tokyo to Hachinohe?
There are two methods to achieve Hachinohe from Tokyo. The primary is prepare, or slightly trains—after using a Shinkansen Hayabusa from Tokyo Station to Hachinohe Station, you’ll must catch an area prepare onward to Hon-Hachinohe Station. Alternatively, you may fly from Tokyo (HND) to Misawa (MSJ), and get a bus from there into central Hachinohe.
What’s Hachinohe well-known for?
Hachinohe isn’t tremendous well-known—and that’s a part of its enchantment. With this being mentioned, it does take pleasure in a sure degree of notoriety for its picturesque Kabushima Shrine, for its sake-producing heritage and for its proximity to the scenic Tanesashi Coast. It’s Nejo Citadel Ruins, in the meantime, are a prime spot for having fun with “weeping” shidarezakura timber in spring.
The Backside Line
The array of issues to do in Hachinohe is rather more eclectic than meets the attention. After consuming (and possibly ingesting) your manner by the Hasshoku Middle, you may pay a go to to Kabushima Shrine and the hundreds of seagulls that nest there. Subsequent, you may dig deeper, whether or not that’s a cultural escape amid the ruins of Nejo Citadel, or a pure one alongside the Tanesashi Coast, the place the more and more in style Michinoku Coastal Path (to not point out Japan’s severely underrated Sanriku Coast area) begins. Wish to take your Hachinohe journey to the following degree? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right now!