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A night out in Northern Japan: Bar hopping the iconic alleyways of Hachinohe
VISIT HACHINOHE, Aomori Prefecture
Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture has long flourished as a port town, where restaurants and eateries began popping up to entertain the men returning from fishing trips, and the remnants of these restaurants and eateries remain as “yokocho” in the central area. “Yokocho" refers to a series of small restaurants and eateries located in slightly secluded alleyways. When night falls in Hachinohe, what looks like an innocuous city transforms into a wonderland of food, drinks, and nightlife. Eight yokochos wind their way through the downtown area of Hachinohe, creating a maze of streets lined with izakayas, bars, and restaurants. Each of the establishments in the yokocho is very small, usually seating 10 or fewer people, and offers creative dishes prepared with local ingredients. Many of them are privately run, with a relatively small number of chain restaurants. Although it makes accommodating larger groups more difficult, the compact size of these establishments is what makes them so much more relaxing and unique. In every yokocho, you will find animated conversations, welcoming staff, and an endless selection of drinks and amazing food. Take the dive into a night of adventure, lose track of time on an unforgettable izakaya crawl and get intoxicated not just from delicious sake but from interesting company and an unforgettable atmosphere. Get ready to explore the iconic alleyways of Hachinohe.
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station (about 2 hours and 45 minutes). From Hachinohe Station, take the Hachinohe Line to Hon-Hachinohe Station (about 10 minutes).
1-1, 1-Chome, Uchimaru, Hachinohe-shi, Aomori-ken
