Hachinohe Brochure

Hachinohe

A Misawa ITT Tour 35th

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Introduction to Hachinohe

Hachinohe City, with about 250,000 inhabitants, is located in southeast Aomori Prefecture, and serves as the core city for the northern Tohoku area. It is famous in all of Japan for its marine products. It is also famous in northern Tohoku for its industries.

Hachinohe is in the process of developing its port to be an international base distribution point. The city of Hachinohe is one of the largest port cities in all of Tohoku.

There are many places to visit, including Kabushima Island, a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls for many centuries, and Tanesashi Beach, known for its beautiful pastures.

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Hachinohe Horse

Yawata-uma Wooden Horse Figurines. Hachinohe has long been famous for its horses. The area has been known since the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) for its breed of battle horses, and their farming horses have supported the lives of the commoners and often used as the theme for dances and folk tales. Horses have played an important role in the people’s lives; thus the art of Yawata-uma figurines emerged. The Yawata Umas come in many sizes, from finger high to over a foot tall, singly or in pairs. Some even come with a “baby� horse set in a cutout of the stomach area.

The toys are usually black and red in color, with black denoting the male and the red the female.

The popularity of the Yawata Uma has grown over the years so much that they are now exported to other countries.

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Festivals and Events

Enburi Enburi is the representative folk performance for this area. The festival is held for four days, starting February 17, every year to pray for a good harvest.

Kabushima Festival Held on the 3rd Sunday in April. This is a traditional festival at Kabushima Shrine.

Hachinohe Port Festival Held in Late July at the Hamadori area and fishing port. Processions carry portable shrines into the sea.

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai (Three shrines joint festival) This is the largest festival in the area. It is highlighted by a parade that is up to 2.5 km long for the opening, called “Otoori” (on August 1st) and closing, called “Okaeri” (on August 3rd). “Dashi” (floats) constructed by individual neighborhood groups compete as they parade festively along the streets of the city accompanied by the playing of Japanese-style flutes and drums while children boisterously shout chants and pull the floats.

Chrysanthemum Festival & Chrysanthemum Doll Fair Held from Late October to early November. Displays prized chrysanthemum plants and dolls made with live chrysanthemums.

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Hachinohe City Shopping

LAPIA MALL / FANTASY DOME This mall includes several department stores, a grocery store, pet store, jewelry store, and various other shops. In the basement floor, you’ll find the food court (Mr. Donut and Baskin Robbins included), and an indoor amusement park with a merrygo-round, a train ride, other small rides, and game machines.

PIADO MALL This mall features a large grocery store, a sports store, a food court with a McDonald’s, a Mr. Donut, and ramen shops. There is also a department store with ladies, men’s, and children’s clothing and a shoe store on the second floor. There is a Sunday home store attached, and a Toys ‘R Us and electronics shop behind the mall.

Misawa ITT has directions to these malls and to most sights listed on this brochure. Come visit us for more information.

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Things to do

FUKUCHI WATER PARK On the outskirts of Hachinohe is this indoor heated water park which includes a jacuzzi pool with a fountain, a kiddy pool, a lap pool, an outdoor heated pool overlooking a serene field, and a large water slide. There is a restaurant overlooking the pools, a sauna, a spa, a relaxation room and a snack and souvenir shop.

HACHINOHE BOTANICAL GARDENS & CHILDREN’S PARK Adults can view plants and flowers while kids ages 2 - 3 ride a carousel, ferris wheel and other rides for ¼100 each. Kids can wade in a small fountain for kids.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. About 35 miles southwest of Misawa in Hachinohe.

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Hachinohe Fish Market

Most commonly known as the Hachinohe Fish Market, the Hasshoku Center is one of the best places to buy varieties of fresh seafood, as well as local specialty food products . Most of the vendors can communicate adequately in English and most offer samples. The Center also has a small grocery store, wine shops, two food courts and several other shops and restaurants.

Hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Closed on Wednesdays and 1 January.

Food courts are open daily from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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Hachinohe Train Station

Hachinohe has two train stations - one located downtown and another larger one on the west side of town. The larger Hachinohe Station has Shinkansen (“bullet train”) service. You can take a Limited Express train from Misawa to Hachinohe to catch the Shinkansen or you can drive to the Hachinohe station. The Hachinohe station also houses a Tourist Information Center and the “Yew Tree” Center which showcases the products and industry of the area.

Misawa ITT has directions on how to get to the train stations.

You can also buy the Shinkansen tickets in advance at the TABI shop next to Misawa Train Station.

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Sightseeing Spots

Hachinohe Museum This museum is divided into four zones.

The Archaeological Exhibit Room has displays of utensils used in daily life from the Jomon period (circa 10,000 B.C. - circa 300 B.C.) through the Heian period (794 - 1185). The History Exhibit Room introduces items related to the Nanbu clan found at the Nejo Castle site. The Folk Exhibit Room features references pertaining to the history of Hachinohe’s fishing, farming, and business industry as well as traditional art forms of the area. The Intangible Reference Room is where visitors can listen to Hachinohe’s folk songs, folk tales, children’s songs, and the local dialect.

Marine Biology Museum At the Umineko Theater, a 3D screen and audio system are used to introduce life in the sea near Hachinohe. There are other sections of interest and an observation deck restaurant on the 4th floor where visitors can enjoy the view of Kabushima Island and Hachinohe Harbor while sampling local cuisine.

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Sightseei

Historic Nejo Plaza The ruins of the resident castle built in 1334 by Nanbu Moroyuki who ruled the Oshu region in the 14th century. Remains of the building, gates, walls, and fence were found during the 11 years of excavation conducted between 1978 and 1988. Currently, the main hall, stable, blacksmith’s workshop, and the shed have been replicated.

Kushibiki Hachimangu Shrine Known to have been built in 1648, this historic shrine is associated with the Nanbu clan. The worship hall, the main hall and the Nandaimon Gate stand quietly, giving the premises a solemn atmosphere.

In the treasure hall are the armors which are designated as national treasures and other valuable cultural assets.

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ing Spots

Kabushima Island Kabushima, the breeding place for thousands of black-tailed gulls, is one of Japan’s designated natural monuments. In May during which the birds lay their eggs, visitors marvel at the island covered with so many gulls.

At the peak of the island is a shrine where a festival is held on the third Sunday of April. Visitors to the island are advised to bring an umbrella to protect themselves from bird droppings.

Tanesashi Coast A beautiful coast that stretches 12 kilometers to the southeast from Kabushima Island. Looking out to the natural lawn that spreads up to the water, waves hitting the rocks, and gulls flying overhead, one forgets about the passing of time. A path is cleared along the coast and beautiful flowers bloom in the area during spring and summer. In addition to an observation deck, there are recreational facilities for swimming, camping, and fishing.

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Misawa ITT Office Location: Bldg. 626 Phone: 226-3555 (tours/info); or 226-9714 (airline tickets) Hours of Operation: Local Tours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Closed on Sundays and Federal Holidays Closed the 2nd Monday of each month Leisure Travel: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Federal Holidays Closed the 2nd Monday of each month

35th

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