Hachinohe



Hachinohe (八戸), a mid-sized port city in Aomori, is a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen line and an embarkation point for ferries bound for Tomakomai on the island of Hokkaido.

Tourist information site
Tourist associations of the area has a joint multilingual guide site.

By train
The Tohoku Shinkansen provides hourly service from Tokyo station to Hachinohe. Trains are all-reserved and are known as Hayate (はやて) trains. The trains only stop at major stations such as Ueno, Omiya, Sendai and Morioka prior to reaching Hachinohe, then continue on to Aomori. Hayate trains from Tokyo reach Hachinohe in three hours and cost ¥15,400 each way. For foreign tourists making the trip from Tokyo, the better deal is to purchase a JR East Rail Pass or the national Japan Rail Pass. Beware that the Hayate trains are coupled to Akita-bound Komachi trains, which split at Morioka (sometimes Sendai), so be sure you're in the right train and car when boarding. There are also various local, rapid, and limited express trains to Aomori and other points in Tohoku.

Typically, during the winter season, the rail trip tickets are discounted to ¥10,000 (return tickets) and they have extra options such as shopping tour (extra ¥2,300) or the onsen trip (¥1,600) (hot spring bath). Also, if you're living in Japan it would be a good idea to watch out for the Hachinohe-Higaeri (Hachinohe-Day-Trip) package offered by JR. This can be booked at the JTB or View Plaza counters at most major JR Stations.



By bus
Towada Kanko Bus and Kokusai Kogyo bus operate an overnight bus service to Hachinohe from Tokyo Station and Ikebukuro (9 hours from Tokyo Station, ¥9500 one way, ¥17100 round trip).

Get around
Hachinohe has an extensive train and bus system, all using the same station as the bullet train. The buses require some Japanese reading ability. There are always plenty of taxis parked outside of the train station as well. The city is a bit spread out, so walking to many destinations could be time consuming.

Buy

 * Fish Market, to your right as you exit the old train station (Hon Hachinohe, 本八戸). The indoor fish market which, other than fish, also sells many local souvenirs including food specialties and hand crafted items, including lacquerware and horse statues. There is also a float on display here.
 * Has a Nagasakiya apparel shop on the second floor and Don Quijote on the third. There are various other stores, including a Daiso (¥100 store), an indoor amusement park, and restaurants.
 * Has a Nagasakiya apparel shop on the second floor and Don Quijote on the third. There are various other stores, including a Daiso (¥100 store), an indoor amusement park, and restaurants.
 * Has a Nagasakiya apparel shop on the second floor and Don Quijote on the third. There are various other stores, including a Daiso (¥100 store), an indoor amusement park, and restaurants.

Drink
The area in central Hachinohe near city hall contains numerous bars, izakaya, restaurants, pubs, and hostess bars. Many of the establishments, especially the hostess bars, will not allow foreigners to enter, although some can be persuaded to change their mind if you speak Japanese. However, most of the "western" style bars, especially those frequented by young adults, are very welcoming to foreigners. Two bars that are worth a visit are Bon and Flat. You will find Flat (music symbol for flat note) downstairs on the main street, next to Miroku Yokocho. Bon is found in the maze of alleys behind Concert Hall Pachinko.



Music

 * Flat (music symbol for flat note) is the home of music in Hachinohe. You will find a good mix of live music played at this establishment. the 'Master" Mitsuya can cook, sing and play the guitar. You can find Flat downstairs on the main street, next to Miroku Yokocho. You may also want to pop in to meet 'Japanese Nick', a Japanese Nicholas Cage look alike.

Go next

 * Towada-Hachimantai National Park, 1–2 hours away by bus, features hiking and many onsen in the Hakkoda Mountains and elsewhere, waterfall viewing along the Oirase Stream, and scenic ferry rides on Lake Towada.
 * Inakadate
 * Fujisaki
 * Itayanagi
 * Tsuruta
 * Ajigasawa
 * Nishimeya
 * Owani
 * Hirakawa