Overview (history, characteristics, attractions)
Hasshoku Center is a large seafood, retail, and food and beverage complex located in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. It's home to a wide variety of shops selling fresh seafood caught at the local fishing port, processed seafood, restaurants serving seafood bowls, sushi, and set meals, and souvenir shops, attracting a wide range of customers from tourists to locals. Since its development in the 1990s, it has become established as a spot where you can easily enjoy the bounty of the Sanriku sea. Its distinctive feature is its "buy and eat on the spot" style, with a beach grill corner (barbecue corner) where you can grill and eat the seafood you've purchased, and a food and beverage district with a wide variety of seafood dishes.
Highlights
- Fresh local fish and shellfish: There is an abundance of seasonal seafood available, such as scallops, squid, salmon, salmon roe, sea urchin, and cod, depending on the day's catch.
- Hamayaki Corner: A hands-on corner where you can grill and eat shellfish and fish purchased at the market. Fun for families and groups.
- Seafood bowl, sushi, and set meal restaurant: Popular for its generous seafood bowls and set meals that make use of local flavors. The freshness and price range that can only be found in a market are appealing.
- Processed foods, dried fish, and souvenirs: A great selection of souvenirs including dried foods, salted fish, delicacies, and local sweets.
- Lively atmosphere: The market is lively from early morning until late afternoon, with vendors shouting and local customers browsing the merchandise.
Access (nearest station, transportation, etc.)
- Nearest train station: Mutsuminato Station on the JR Hachinohe Line and AOIMORI (Aoimori Railway) is relatively close. From Hachinohe Station, it is convenient to travel by public transportation or car.
- Bus: Local buses and direct buses may operate from Hachinohe Station during the tourist season. Please check the bus route to your destination, Hasshoku Center, or the nearest bus stop.
- Car/Taxi: Approximately 15-20 minutes by car from Hachinohe Station (depending on traffic). There is a parking lot, so it is common to visit by car.
- Tip: During peak tourist seasons and holidays, the parking lot and the site can get crowded, so we recommend arriving early (in the morning).
Estimated stay (estimated time required)
- Short tour: 30 minutes to 1 hour (for shopping and a quick look at the market atmosphere)
- Dining + Shopping: 1.5 to 3 hours (enjoying seafood bowls and seafood grills, and choosing souvenirs)
- Relaxed stay: Half a day (visiting multiple stores and taking your time to compare food and shop)
Nearby spots
- Tatehana Wharf Morning Market: A large-scale morning market held seasonally, featuring local stalls and food.
- Tanesashi Coast: A tourist spot with beautiful coastal scenery. Recommended for walks and picnics.
- Kabushima: A small island famous as a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls. Enjoy observing nature and birds.
- Mutsuminato Morning Market: This local morning market offers fresh seafood and local vegetables (convenient for combining your visit with the Hasshoku Center).
- Hacchi (Hachinohe Portal Museum): A cultural facility located in downtown Hachinohe. A great place to learn about Hachinohe's history and event information.
Things to be aware of (crowds, manners, seasonal precautions, etc.)
- Crowds: The park is extremely crowded on weekends, public holidays, tourist seasons (Golden Week, summer vacation, consecutive holidays), and on morning market days. Please allow plenty of time as there may be lines for parking and restaurants.
- Business hours: Opening and closing times vary by store. Many stores open early in the morning, while others close in the evening, so it's a good idea to check the opening hours of the store you're planning to visit before you go.
- Carrying home and storing: If you are buying fresh produce, it is a good idea to bring a cooler box or insulated bags. If you are traveling long distances, be sure to take measures to keep the food cold.
- Cash payment: More and more stores are now accepting credit cards and electronic payments, but some smaller stores and fishmongers only accept cash. It's a good idea to have some cash on hand.
- Manners when using Hamayaki: Please follow the rules of the grilling area (grilling time, handling of fire, cleaning up afterwards, etc.). Please also pay attention to hygiene as you will be handling raw food.
- Allergy/raw food precautions: Many restaurants serve raw seafood, so please be careful if you have allergies, small children, or the elderly.
Hasshoku Center is a popular spot where you can casually sample the bounty of Sanriku's seafood. It's lively from morning until noon, making it the perfect place to experience local food culture. Considering your stay time and how to get there, arriving early and taking precautions to keep your food cool will help you enjoy your visit more comfortably.
