Tatehana Ganpeki Asaichi, a.k.a Tatehana Sunday Morning Market is one of the must visit attractions in Hachinohe. It boasts as one of the largest morning markets in Japan, with 300+ vendors and attracts more than 10,000 visitors just in 4 hours of market opened. The open-air market location stretches 800 meters along the harbor front of Tatehana Wharf where fishing boats and merchandise cargos arrive on early Sunday morning, deliver fresh caught seafood and vegetables/fruits from the region. Small local produce growers also supply their homegrown vegetables/fruits, preserved goods to the market. There are many food stalls selling multiple choices of quick hot meals, charcoal-grilled fish and meats on sticks, fresh bakeries/sweets, coffee, summertime cold treats and regional/local specialties. Some large vendors provide tented area with tables and seats. Other small vendors serve finger foods on the sticks or trays. Visitors begin to arrive as early as market opens at 5 am on Sunday. The JR Hachinohe Line operates before 6 am to bring visitors to the site. Individual vendors are not limited to food products; there are handmade arts and crafts, seasonal flowers, kitchen gadgets, antiques, small appliances, miscellaneous items related to the needs of everyday living. Tatehana Ganpeki Asaichi is only available on Sunday from 5 am to 9 am and from Mid-March to December/New Year Day. For the foreigner visitors who want to experience Hachinohe’s unique foods and culture activities must plan the itineraries in advance to accommodate the Sunday visit to this famous morning market. During our journey to Tohoku Region we planned our visits to Hachinohe on the weekend in mid-August when JR East’s seasonal special joyful train line “Resort Umineko” made available during that time. We used Hachinohe as our base to Oirase and Tanesashi Coast/national parks. To access to Tatehana Morning Market, take JR East Hachinohe Line, from Hachinohe, direction to Kuji or Same and get off at Mutsu-Minato, then walk about 10-12 min. to the wharf. The earliest departure from JR Hachinohe Station is 5:35 am. A special run Sunday Morning Market Loop Bus Isaba is also available, runs early morning from bus terminal Mikkamachi/Yokamachi in downtown Hon-Hachinohe to Tatehana Gyoko-mae between April and November. If you have a full day to visit Hachinohe but don’t’ want to use your JR Pass on the local rides (not worth to stamp a day on your JR pass just for the local cheap fare rides) then you may want to consider buying “Enjoy Hachinohe” Card for 700 yen. It covers your one-day train rides between Hachinohe and Taneasashi Coast’s Kaigan Station and Hachinohe’s buses by Nanbu buses and municipal buses; also included is the sightseeing bus Tanesashi Coast Excursion Bus “Umineko”, runs between Same and Tanesashi Kaigan. You can buy this card from View Plaza inside of Hachinohe Station or JR East Ticket Reservation Office at some major stations.

An extraordinary morning!! You have to arrive very early but it is well worth it. So many booths selling fresh/frozen fish plus tremendous varieties of different authentic Japanese foods being cooked before your eyes. Go hungry as you will not leave that way. A can't miss experience.