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Hachinohe

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Hachinohe is a significant city located in the Aomori Prefecture of Japan.

Hachinohe-centertarminal1-3
Hachinohe-centertarminal1-3

It sits on the flatlands along the southeast coast facing the Pacific Ocean. The city is the second largest in Aomori Prefecture by population. As of October 2020, the city had 212,279 residents living in 109,987 households. This creates a population density of approximately 1,911 people per square kilometer. The geography is defined by the Oirase River and the Mabechi River, which flow through the area. Parts of the coastline belong to the Tanesashi Kaigan Hashikamidake Prefectural Natural Park. This area was incorporated into the Sanriku Fukkō National Park in 2013.

TanesashiBeachFromAshigezakiObservatory
TanesashiBeachFromAshigezakiObservatory

The climate in Hachinohe is classified as a humid continental climate. This is known by the Köppen climate classification as Dfa. The region sits near the border of a humid subtropical climate, or Cfa. However, the January and February averages are too cold to be considered subtropical. The city experiences hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Summers are milder than other parts of Honshu because of the proximity to the open sea. Winters are distinctly cold but have less snow than Sapporo or Wakkanai. The average annual temperature is 11.5 degrees Celsius. September is the wettest month of the year. August is usually the hottest month, with averages around 25.3 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest, averaging around -0.6 degrees Celsius.

History in the Hachinohe region stretches back to prehistoric times. The area was once a major population center for the Emishi people. Many Jōmon period remains have been discovered within the city borders. During the Heian period, the area was under the control of the Northern Fujiwara. Later, the Nanbu clan took control after defeating the North Fujiwara in the Kamakura period. The Nanbu clan established many fortified settlements and horse ranches. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate created the Hachinohe Domain in 1664. This was a 20,000-koku domain for a junior line of the Nanbu clan. The town grew as a castle town centered on Hachinohe Castle. It served as a commercial center and a port for fishing grounds near Hokkaido.

The modern city was formed through several mergers over many years. After the Meiji Restoration, the Hachinohe Domain was replaced by Hachinohe Prefecture. This prefecture was later merged into Aomori Prefecture. There was a debate about whether Hachinohe or Hirosaki should be the capital. Because of a rivalry between the Nanbu and Tsugaru domains, the government built Aomori city instead. The modern town of Hachinohe was officially created in 1889. It merged with Chōja in 1901, and later with several villages in 1929. Further expansions occurred in 1942, 1954, 1955, and 1958. The village of Nangō was also annexed in 2005. Hachinohe received core city status on January 1, 2017.

Economics in Hachinohe are driven by industry and the sea. It is the largest city in eastern Aomori Prefecture. The city serves as a regional center for commerce and industry. Hachinohe Port is a major international port for northern Japan. It has one of the largest volumes of landed fish in the country. Since 1964, the city has been a designated industrial city. A large coastal industrial belt produces chemicals, steel, cement, and fertilizer. Major sites include the Hachinohe High Tech Park and the Hachinohe North-Interchange Industrial Complex. The Hachinohe Thermal Power Station uses LNG to generate electricity.

Hachinohe city hall
Hachinohe city hall

Culture and traditions remain very important to the local people. The city is famous for the Kabushima Shrine on a nearby island. This island is a habitat for 40,000 black-tailed gulls. It is recognized as a national Natural Monument.

Kabushima02
Kabushima02

Local festivals also draw much attention. The Sansha Taisai is the main festival and is called "Japan's Biggest Float Festival." It features 27 different floats and men in samurai costumes. Another festival, Emburi, takes place from February 17 to 20. It uses a tool called an emburi to pray for a good harvest. This festival marks the end of the harsh winter. The sound of the emburi is one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan.

Transportation connects Hachinohe to the rest of the country. The East Japan Railway Company operates the Tōhoku Shinkansen.

JR logo (east)
JR logo (east)

The Hachinohe Line and the Aoimori Railway also serve the area.

Aoimori Logo
Aoimori Logo

For freight, the Hachinohe Rinkai Railway is used. The Port of Hachinohe handles significant maritime traffic. For air travel, the nearest commercial airport is Misawa Airport. The city also hosts the JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base. This is a military aerodrome for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. These systems allow the city to remain a vital hub for northern Japan.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Hachinohe city hall.jpg
Hachinohe city hall.jpg
File:Hachinohe-centertarminal1-3.png
Hachinohe-centertarminal1-3.png
File:TanesashiBeachFromAshigezakiObservatory.JPG
TanesashiBeachFromAshigezakiObservatory.JPG
File:JR logo (east).svg
JR logo (east).svg
File:Aoimori Logo.svg
Aoimori Logo.svg
File:Kabushima02.jpg
Kabushima02.jpg
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