Hachinohe 八戸市, Aomori Prefecture

Hachinohe (Japanese: 八戸市) is a city on the southeastern coast of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan. It covers 305 sq km (118 sq mi) and has a population of 235,000 people (2012 estimate).

The area surrounding Hachinobe are flat coastal plains. This has an effect on its climate, which has a mixed characteristic of the humid subtropical, oceanic and humid continental climates. Due to its proximity to the ocean, it enjoys a milder summer than elsewhere in Honshu.

Human habitation in Hachinobe goes back to the Jomon period and perhaps earlier. It was part of the Hachinohe Domain until the Meiji Restoration, which replaced it with Hachinohe Prefecture, and eventually with Aomori Prefecture. During this time the town of Hachinohe was built.

The city draws tourists with its annual Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival, often called the biggest float festival in the country. This is when floats are paraded down the streets accompanied by people playing drums and flutes. The name Sansha means "three shrines". This refers to the three local Shinto shrines of Ogami Jinja, Shinra Jinja and Shinmei-gu.

Another festival celebrated here is Enburi, held annually to pray for bountiful harvests. This takes place on 17-20 February, marking the end of the long winter. It takes the form of a procession down the street.

Hachinohe was badly affected by the 2011 tsunami which destroyed about a hundred homes.

Kabushime in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, Japan


Ogami-jinja Shinto Shrine in Hachinohe

Planning your trip to Hachinohe

The Tohoku Shinkansen train connects Tokyo with Hachinohe. The Hayate train service takes 3 hours and costs ¥15,400 one way. You can travel on it at no further cost if you hold a JR East Rail Pass or Japan Rail Pass. Note that the train is coupled with the Akita-bound Komachi trains. They split at Morioka or sometimes Sendai, so be sure you are in the right coach.

Places of Interest in Hachinohe

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