Nothing can compare to starting the morning at a Morning Market in Hachinohe. By far, the most famous and popular is the Sunday Morning Market at Tatehana Wharf. The market has a dazzling array of food to eat, produce and seafood to buy, and sights to see. As the seasons change, so do the items that line the stalls, making no two trips the same.

The Tanesashi Coast is the portion of the coastline in Hachinohe that starts at the Kabushima Shrine and runs down to the neighboring town of Hashikami. It is part of the Sanriku Fukko National Park and its dynamic views, changing from soft sandy beaches to craggily dramatic cliffs to sprawling wildflower fields, make it an absolute must-see when in the area. The coast is great for driving and biking, but to truly see ALL that the coast has to offer, we recommend walking it. Start at Kabushima and follow the Michinoku Shiokaze Trail, a 1000km trail that runs the whole length of the national park, until you reach the Tanesashi Natural Lawn.

One of the most prestigious shrines in the area is the Kushihiki Hachimangu. Besides having a long name, this shrine has a long and important history in the area and was once one of the patron shrines of the Nanbu clan. The shrine is home to two national treasures that are housed in a small but worthwhile museum on the shrine grounds.

The shrine sits on top of a hill on Kabushima Island (now a peninsula thanks to a small landbridge) in the middle of the breeding grounds for the black-tailed gull. The shrine, the people of Hachinohe, and the black tailed-gulls have passed the centuries in harmony, weathering wars, tsunamis, and famines together. Unfortunately, the shrine was lost in a fire and burned down in 2015. But this did not dishearten the people of Hachinohe and it certainly did not deter the black-tailed gulls from coming back to their breeding grounds. Since the fire, the people of Hachinohe have come together to rebuild the shrine, but stop their construction every year when the birds return so that they can breed, nest, and raise their young in peace. The shrine is set to be finished in March 2020, just in time to welcome the birds back again.

The shrine sits on top of a hill on Kabushima Island (now a peninsula thanks to a small landbridge) in the middle of the breeding grounds for the black-tailed gull. The shrine, the people of Hachinohe, and the black tailed-gulls have passed the centuries in harmony, weathering wars, tsunamis, and famines together. Unfortunately, the shrine was lost in a fire and burned down in 2015. But this did not dishearten the people of Hachinohe and it certainly did not deter the black-tailed gulls from coming back to their breeding grounds. Since the fire, the people of Hachinohe have come together to rebuild the shrine, but stop their construction every year when the birds return so that they can breed, nest, and raise their young in peace. The shrine is set to be finished in March 2020, just in time to welcome the birds back again.

Explore nine fun and interesting park zones spread out across 37-hectares of wide, beautiful landscapes at the Hachinohe Park! You can stroll through the gardens, take a ride on a roller coaster or two at the amusement park, see exotic and lively animals at the zoo, and even enjoy some flower viewing during the spring seasons! Sporting the largest collection of cherry trees in the entire city, this park comes alive with beautiful pink and white blossoms from April to May. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some of the most interesting species of cherry tree found in Japan: the Yoshino, Yamazakura, and double-flowered Yaezakura! If you’re traveling with family, you’ll be delighted to know that there are child-friendly attractions found throughout the park! The indoor play area found in the amusement park is an especially fun and exciting way to spend the day with energetic little ones! Even those traveling without younger members can enjoy all the splendors Hachinohe Park has to offer.

Complete with an observation deck to give you even better views of the surrounding scenery, the Ashigezaki Lookout is the perfect place to get natural and scenic photographs to remember your time spent in Japan. The area was once used for military purposes, but has since become a peaceful place for relaxation and contemplation. Visitors find it hard to think of the worries and stresses of life when they’re surrounded by such beautiful sights – if you’re feeling especially worried or stressed, you might want want to stay a little while longer or take a few more pictures to help calm you!

Half the fun of visiting a new area is learning about the history and traditions that people there hold dear to their hearts. What better way to learn all you can about this oceanside city than to visit the Hachinohe City Museum! There you’ll be treated to exhibits featuring the history, customs, folklore, archeology, ideas, and beliefs of Hachinohe and its people. You can also enjoy audio and video displays that will give you a greater appreciation for the city’s festivals, events, folklore, dialect, performing arts, and even local school songs! It’s an amazing opportunity to get a better appreciation for the city without breaking the bank!

If walking around and taking pictures of all the gorgeous sights creates a rumbling in your stomach, then your best bet for a satisfying meal is to head to Miroku Yokocho! You’ll have 26 unique and interesting food stalls to choose from at this food market that serve anything from local seafood to senbei-jiru to ramen and more! The inviting atmosphere is perfect for nervous travelers that don’t know what to expect, and the friendly and helpful stall operators go above and beyond the call of duty to help everyone get exactly what they want! If you’re worried about your language ability, don’t be; there are pictures at every stall, and some even have translations to help foreign tourists! Come hungry, leave satisfied!

Listed as one of Japan’s top 100 castles to visit, Nejo Castle – sometimes refereed to as just ‘Ne Castle’ – has been a National Historic Site since 1941. It was built around 1334 and stood for nearly three centuries before it was destroyed for relocation. Thanks to the efforts of the city of Hachinohe, the castle has been restored to its former glory and is a tribute to the memory of the original castle. Visitors can explore the main castle, workshops, barns, stables, and other areas around the castle to get a sense of what life in Japan was like almost 700 years ago!

This national treasure is one of the most exquisite shrines to visit in all of Japan! The rich, ornate decorations and spiritual atmosphere give visitors a unique and personal look into Japanese culture. Dating back all the way to the Kamakura Period of Japanese history, this shrine has seen countless numbers of pilgrims throughout the ages. Depending on when you decide to visit this popular shrine you might be lucky enough to arrive during a festival or local ceremony! The autumn festivals are said to the be the most impressive, so keep an eye on the calendar if you want to enhance your Hachinohe shrine experience!