Getting to Hachinohe

Hachinohe on Google Maps

By Train

The most convenient way for many travelers to reach Hachinohe is by train. It takes just under three hours (2 hr 45 min) to get from Tokyo to Hachinohe on Japan’s high-speed shinkansen train, about as long as it would take you to get to the Kansai area.

Inside the city of Hachinohe, many of the main sights can be reached using local trains on the Hachinohe Line. Starting from Hachinohe Station, you can take the line to Hon-Hachinohe Station to visit the city center, Mutsuminato Station to experience the morning markets or Kabushima, and Tanesashi Kaigan Station to explore the Tanesashi Coast.

Plane

The closest airport to Hachinohe is Misawa Airport, around 40 to 50 min away by car. Flights into Misawa Airport originate from Tokyo Haneda Airport, Osaka Itami Airport, and Sapporo Okadama Airport.

Although there are relatively few flights into Misawa, taking a plane is particularly worth it if you are coming from further afield, such as Osaka or Sapporo.

Flight Times (to Misawa Airport)

• Tokyo (Haneda Airport)→Hachinohe (Misawa Airport): About 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Sapporo (Okadama Airport)→Hachinohe (Misawa Airport): About 1 hour
• Osaka (Itami Airport)→Hachinohe (Misawa Airport): About 1 hour and 35 minutes

Misawa Airport Shuttle Bus

There is a shuttle bus that conveniently connects Misawa Airport to central Hachinohe. You can also rent a car in Misawa and drive into Hachinohe.

• Misawa Airport→Hon-Hachinohe: About 50 minutes
• Misawa Airport→Hachinohe-Yokamachi: About 55 minutes

Car (Using the Expressway)

Driving Times (Using the Expressway)

• Aomori-Higashi IC–Hachinohe-Kita IC (Michinoku Expressway / Kamikita Expressway / Michinoku No. 2 Expressway): About 1 hour 30 minutes
• Owani-Hirosaki–Hachinohe IC (Tohoku Expressway / Hachinohe Expressway): About 2 hours
• Morioka IC–Hachinohe IC (Tohoku Expressway / Hachinohe Expressway): About 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Sendai-Miyagi IC–Hachinohe IC (Tohoku Expressway / Hachinohe Expressway): About 3 hours and 30 minutes

*Times listed above are approximate. Actual driving times may vary according to traffic conditions and other factors.
*From Hachinohe JCT heading north, the expressway splits into three different roads, each with a separate IC (Hachinohe-Kita, Hachinohe, and Hachinohe-Korekawa). These three ICs are not directly connected.

Ferry

Silver Ferry

The Silver Ferry connects Hachinohe in Aomori with the city of Tomakomai in Hokkaido. Although it is regularly used by large trucks and other shipping vehicles, the ferry is also convenient for those wishing to bring a car to and from Hokkaido and those traveling without a car. Tickets are reasonably priced, and the overnight ferry is an excellent option after a bus or train connection when traveling to Sapporo.

» Silver Ferry Website (Japanese)

• Estimated Ferry Travel Times

• Tomakomai⇔Hachinohe: About 8 hours (4 ferries per Day)

• Sapporo ⇔ Hachinohe (approximate times)
  • Sapporo Station
    ▼　Highway Bus (About 3 hours)
  • Tomakomai
    ▼　Ferry (8 hours)
  • Hachinohe

Special Sapporo & Hachinohe Ticket

There is currently a promotion offering discounted fares for both the ferry and coach bus (connecting Tomakomai & Sapporo). This is a great deal that can save you both time and money!

» Ticket Deal Promotion (Japanese)

Getting to the Hachinohe Port Ferry Terminal

<Silver Ferry Shuttle Bus>

• Downtown Terminal
  ▼(About 5 minutes)
• Hon-Hachinohe Station
  ▼(About 20 minutes)
• Hachinohe Port Ferry Terminal

<Car / Taxi>

• About 20 minutes from Hachinohe Expressway Hachinohe IC
• About 20 minutes from JR Hachinohe Station
• About 15 minutes from JR Hon-Hachinohe Station

» Ferry Schedule (Japanese)　　» Boarding Guide (Japanese)

 

Visiting Surrounding Areas

The Oirase Gorges & Lake Towada

• JR Bus [Oirase] (Late April–Early November)
  
  • Hachinohe Station (West Exit) → Towada Art Center → Yakeyama → (Oirase-keiryu) → Nenokuchi → Towada-ko (Yasumiya): About 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Car
  • Hachinohe Station → Oirase-keiryu (Yakeyama): About 70 minutes
  • Hachinohe Station → Towada-ko (Yasumiya): About 1 hour and 30 minutes

The Shimokita Peninsula（Mutsu City・Osorezan・Hotokegaura）

• Aoimori Railway / JR [Ominato Line]
  • Hachinohe Station → Noheji Station → Shimokita Station: About 1 hour and 50 minutes
  • Buses from Shimokita Station
  • Shimokita Station → Osorezan: About 45 minutes
• Car
  • Hachinohe Station → Shimokita Station: About 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Hachinohe Station → Osorezan: About 2 hours and 40 minutes
  • Hachinohe Station → Hotoke-ga-ura: About 4 hours

Kuji City, Iwate

• Train [JR Hachinohe Line]
  • Hachinohe Station → Kuji Station: About 2hour
  • Buses from Kuji Station
  • Kuji Station → Kosode-kaigan: About 35 minutes
  • From Kuji Station to the Sanriku Railway (for Sanriku)
• Car
  • Hachinohe Station → Kuji Station: About 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Hachinohe Station → Kosode-kaigan: About 1 hour and 40 minutes