Tatehana Wharf Morning Market
館鼻岸壁朝市
"It was a great showing of community - seeing a crowd of people at such an early time was something I’d never expect back home."
- Dimitri Falidis
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Tatehana Wharf Morning Market
Photo by Mischa Wong
Historical Background and characteristics
Historical Background and characteristics
Hachinohe is a port town located in Aomori prefecture on the northeast coast of Japan’s Honshu island. Hachinohe is famous for hosting several morning markets each week, but the Tatehana Wharf Morning Market is by far the largest. Visited by 10 000 people every week, the market is composed of around 400 stalls and stretches almost 800m along the Tatehana wharf.
The market first began in June 2004 and is held every Sunday from mid-March to December from daybreak until 9am. Other markets in the city have a much longer history, including the nearby Mutsuminato Morning Market, however, are not held on Sundays unlike the Tatehana Wharf Morning Market.
The market offers a wide variety of cooked foods, fresh produce and fish, toys, clothes, and traditional crafts. There are also various performances and live music starting from 7am.
The morning market
Photo by Nene Sato
Mrs. Ika Don
Photo by Jacob Khachidze
Ika Don is the market’s unofficial mascot. After suddenly appearing one day and handing out business cards, Ika Don has become a beloved and familiar face at the market. Designed by a Hachinohe local, Ika Don and his family represent the local people and the pride they feel for their city. Ika Don aims to interact with all visitors, taking photos and handing out sweets to everyone he meets. T-shirts, paper files, and other merchandise are available for purchase every week at the market.
To Know More
To Know More
Tatehana Wharf Morning Market, Spring 2023 (Japanese)
Food Available at the Morning Market (English)
Current Activities
Current Activities
Held every Sunday from dawn (around 5am) - 9am
Mid-march until December (Not held on the day of the Hachinohe Umineko Marathon in May)
The Market at 5am
Photo by Mischa Wong
How to Get There
How to Get There
Tatehana Wharf, Shinminato, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture
青森県八戸市新湊三丁目館鼻岸壁朝市
Train: 10 minute walk from mutsu-minato station, JR Hachinohe Line
Bus: ISABA Sunday Morning Market Loop Bus
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