After moving from North Carolina to Okinawa in 2022, my family was overwhelmed but fascinated by our surroundings. One familiar monument made us feel right at home: McDonald's two golden arches.
21.07.2023 - 07:56 / roughguides.com
Hachinohe lies on the northeast coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. The area has a rich history, dating back to the days when it was ruled by the Nanbu clan. Today, it’s a region known for its glorious nature, delectable cuisine and captivating culture – including a long tradition of exquisite folk artistry. From fine Nanbu sakiori weavings to wooden Yawata-uma horse figurines that have been made here for more than seven hundred years, Hachinohe produces some of the best folk crafts in Japan. Culture vultures, souvenir-hunters and designers alike will delight in the artisanal offerings of Hachinohe.
Hachinohe is a region in Aomori Prefecture, incorporating the city of Hachinohe itself, as well as a series of smaller towns and villages in the surrounding area. Lapped by the Pacific Ocean, Hachinohe is known for its outstanding natural beauty, especially along the Tanesashi Coast. It’s a place shaped by its seafront location, where freshly caught fish and seafood dominate restaurant menus and remain a mainstay of the local economy. Natural bounty aside, Hachinohe is a bastion of history and culture, having served as a significant regional centre since Nanbu rule. Over the centuries, a vast number of creative and decorative arts have developed and thrived here, producing some of the finest folk crafts in Japan. Today, there are numerous museums and craft centres, shops and markets to get to grips with the traditional arts and crafts of Hachinohe. Roll up your sleeves and get involved.
Hachinohe is easily accessible from almost any area in Japan. Perhaps the simplest and most popular way to get here is by rail: Hachinohe Station hosts the JR East Shinkansen or bullet train, the IGR (Iwate Galaxy Railway) and the Aoimori Railway Line. From Tokyo, the bullet train takes around 2hr 45mins. The nearest airport to the city is Misawa (MSJ); it’s a good 40–50 minutes away, however. Hiring a car, meanwhile, will get you further from the beaten track when you’re in town.
To explore Hachinohe City itself by rail, you’ll most likely make good use of the Hachinohe Line. With stops at Tatehana Wharf for the Sunday Morning Market (Mutsuminato Station), Kabushima Shrine (Same Station) and the Tanesashi Natural Lawn and Information Center (Tanesashikaigan Station), it’ll get you to all the important points of interest. A helpful bus network also services the city, as well as a number of sightseeing buses which are a great option for travellers (for instance, one plies the Tanesashi Coast, and another leaves for the Sunday Morning Market). See the Visit Hachinohe website for detailed information on Access.
Hachinohe map © Visit Hachinohe
The history of folk crafts in Hachinohe is inextricably linked to Nanbu rule,
After moving from North Carolina to Okinawa in 2022, my family was overwhelmed but fascinated by our surroundings. One familiar monument made us feel right at home: McDonald's two golden arches.
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