The Hachinohe Tour

The first tour we went on was for Hachinohe.

There, we went to the fish market. They have a lot of fresh fish here and you can buy sushi already made and some sweets too! Only Yen is accepted.


Directions: 
Take Route 45 or the Toll Road to the Hachinohe exit. If you take the toll road make a right when you come to the light. Travel straight thru two lights and stay in the right lane. After the second light you will proceed through a small tunnel and bridge. At the stoplight there will be a Sunkist corner store on the right. Make a right here. (A large yellow building will be in front of you, this is the Fish Market). Follow this road until you get to the next stoplight and make a right. The parking lot will be on your right and you are there.

This guy is working very hard to make sure we have the freshest fish! 

This is not a real fish. It is like candy!

A really beautiful bonsai display at the Fish Market

I'd be crabby too if my legs were tied together!

We also went to Kushikihi Hachimangu Shrine. I absolutely loooved it here! I have found that I really love Shinto Shrines. They are always in a forest somewhere with really ancient trees. It is very peaceful, quiet and clean. I heard that you can get a "passport" type book at Shinto Shrines and when you go to different shrines a priest will stamp your "passport" It makes a really nice souvenir! I hope to find one someday! We hope to go back to this shrine soon. I prayed for a good job while I was there and I got exactly what I was looking for!

The Torii right outside the shrine

My first prayer at a Shinto Shrine

These horses are often found at Shinto shrines

A number of important national cultural properties and prefectural treasures are kept in the shrine. "The-Red-Thread-Embroidered Armor with Large Sleeves" , one of the national treasures kept in the shrine which is made in the Kamakura Period. I actually paid to see this and it is totally worth the 300 yen! In the museum, right outside the showcase, is a replica of a samurai uniform that you can actually try on!

Me in the samurai replica helmet

Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm. Open everyday

Admission Fees: Adults: 300 ye/ High School & College Students 200 yen/ Jr.High & Elementary students 100 yen. 

Directions:

Take the POL road to the toll road entrance.

Take the Momoishi Toll Road to Hachinohe-kita.

The first toll gate comes after 4.5 km, and will cost 200 yen. Exit at Hachinohe-kita after 8.5km. The toll gate here will cost 150yen.

Turn right onto Route 45

After 3.5km, turn right at the light (this intersection has a JOMO gas station on the right).

Follow this road for about 1.5km (you will pass the Fish Market and cross a rail track).

After you cross a river you'll come to an intersection with a stop light. Take a right onto Route 104.

Follow this road for a little more than 1.5km and then you will see the shrine on your left. 

*non-toll road directions will be posted asap*

We also went to Fantasy Dome: Lapia Mall for lunch. I really do enjoy this mall! Here are some directions. I hope to post non-toll road directions soon. Not a fan of paying tolls, I just don't remember how we got there! XD

Directions: (again, stolen from Misawa Life, sumimasen! I'll write my own asap!)

From the toll road exit the Hachinohe station. Make a right on Hwy 45 and travel straight for about 15 minutes until you come to a T-Intersection with Sega World in front of you. Make a left turn in this intersection and get into the right lane. You will make a right turn at the first opportunity (there will be a barrier separating the lanes of traffic). Travel straight down the road and the Fantasy Dome will be directly in front of you. Just follow the P (parking) signs to your left to park.

A fabulous display of shoes at Lapia mall!

There is also a pet store next to Lapia Mall. I feel so bad for those animals! It must be so hot behind the glass!

We also stopped briefly at the Hachinohe Train Station. They had a really beautiful float display there!

The "float"

The Prince and Princess

Directions:

Take the Momoishi Toll Road to Hachinohe-kita.

Take the POL road to the toll road entrance.

The first toll gate comes after 4.5km, and will cost 200yen

Exit at Hachinohe-kita after 8.5km. The toll gate here will cost 150yen

Turn right onto Route 45.

After 3.0km, exit to the left, followeing signs to "Hachinohe Sta." Turn right at the bottom of the ramp.

Follw this road for 2.9km, and turn right at the stop light (you will pass Harley Davidson on your rifht, and the Fish Market on your left).

After 1.7km, this road comes to a T intersection. Turn right and you will see the station in front of you. (if you need long-term parking, turn right after 1.0km, following signs to the West Exit).

For short-term parking, there is a small parking lot in front of the station. Get in the left hand lane as you drive toward the station. Instead of turning left, cross teh street to the parking lot ticket booth. Parking is free for short-term.