From Wikitravel

Hachinohe (八戸) [1], a mid sized city in Aomori, is the current terminus of the Tohoku Shinkansen line and mainly a train hub for most travellers.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

The Tohoku Shinkansen provides hourly service from Tokyo station to Hachinohe station. 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.

Hayate trains from Tokyo reach Hachinohe in three hours and cost ¥15350 each way, so it might be wise to get a rail pass of some kind before making the journey. Beware that the Hayate trains are coupled to Akita-bound Komachi trains, which split at Morioka, 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.

Also, if you're living in Japan it would be a good idea to watch out for the Hachinohe-Higairi (Hachinohe-Day-Trip) package offered by JR. This can be booked at the JTB or View Plaza counters at most major JR Stations.

Typically, during the winter season, the rail trip tickets are discounted to a total of ¥10,000 (Return Tickets!!) and they have extra options such as Shopping Tour (extra ¥2,300) or the Onsen Trip (¥1,600) (Onsen - Hot Spring Bath).

[edit] 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.

[edit][add listing] See

• Kabushima Island (蕪島). The breeding ground for thousands of black-tailed seagulls, and the very scenic Kabushima Benzaiten (蕪島弁財天) shrine overlooks the ocean. Breeding season is in May, but there are many seagulls there all year except for in the winter.

• Nejo Plaza (根城). The reconstruction of a historic castle from the 1300s. Admission is 250 yen for adults as of Oct. 22, 2005.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Sansha Taisai (三社大祭). Usually held in the first few days of august, this is called "Japan's largest float festival." The three days of celebration focus around a huge parade each day featuring enormous and intricately decorated floats.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Fish Market, to your right as you exit the train station. 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.
• The Pia-do shopping center is directly north of downtown Hachinohe, about 8 blocks north of the Hon-Hachinohe train stop. Next to the mall are a Toys R Us and an electronics store, Yamada Denki.
• Hasshoku Center, the big food market hall of Hachinohe. A few minutes apart from the centre (100￥bus from Main Station available), with a lot of different stands of food (fish, sweets, restaurants, liquor...).

[edit][add listing] Eat

Golden Palki Located in the Yonekura Hotel, the Golden Palki serves Indian food and has a spectacular view of Hachinohe. To get there, coming from around the downtown area, take the 340 south up the hill. The Yonekura Hotel will be on your left and the Golden Palki is on the 6th floor.

Bon Located in an alley behind Concert Hall Pachinko. The 'Master' Kappa has some of the best food in town. There is a mix of Japanese, Western and other Asian Cuisine. There is an English menu, plus Kappa has excellent English too.

[edit][add listing] 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 flan note) downstairs on the main street, next to Miroku Yokocho. Bon is found in the maze of alleys behind Concert Hall Pachinko.

[edit] Music

Flat (music symbol for flan 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 'Japaneese Nick', he is a Japaneese Nicholas Cage look alike.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Kawayo Green Farm (カワヨグリーン), [2]. Lies three train stops outside the city, in Mukaiyama, and includes a comfortable Youth Hostel on its grounds. It's is worth a stopover for some horse riding, mini golf or just some countryside.

• Toyoko Inn Hachinohe Ekimae, 1-3-17 Ichibancho, tel. 0178-27-1045, [3]. A business hotel that is very easy to spot just outside the train station's main exit. Singles/doubles from ¥5,400(including tax¥5,670) / ¥7,400(including tax¥7,770).

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!