Ōma: Ferry, coast and regional discoveries

Ōma brings together a distinctive ferry connection, fishing, coastal scenery and its own cultural traditions. The crossing from Hakodate to Ōma takes about 90 minutes. At your destination, discoveries range from the Ōma-zaki geosite to shrines and seasonal festivals. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether your trip will focus more on arriving by ferry, nature and the coast, or local food culture.

Arriving by ferry or bus

The Hakodate–Ōma ferry connection offers a crossing of about 90 minutes. Another described way to get there starts at Shimokita Station: the Mutsu–Sai bus operated by Shimokita Kotsu travels via the Ōhata stop and takes about two hours to reach the Ōma ferry terminal. The “Ferry Terminal” stop is right next to the terminal. This information can help you distinguish between the different modes of transport when planning; each describes a specific connection, not the duration of the entire journey.

Coastal scenery and geopark

Ōma-zaki is one of the 16 geosites in the Shimokita Geopark, which is recognized as a Japanese geopark. Those interested in landscapes and nature will find a specific place to visit here as part of that focus. Bentenjima lies about 600 meters off Ōma-zaki. The island is home to a red shrine and a black-and-white striped lighthouse. Bentenjima is also a breeding ground for more than 10,000 black-tailed gulls and black-tailed gulls.

The Akashi coast offers a different kind of coastal scenery, with cliffs of varying sizes rising out of the sea. It is located along National Route 338 from Ōma toward Sai, about a 15-minute drive away. Comparing Ōma-zaki, the offshore island and the cliffs on the Akashi coast gives you several specific landscape highlights to consider when planning your trip, without combining them into a single route.

Shrines and a festival at the fishing port

Ōma Inari Shrine was founded in 1730. A Mazu statue transferred in 1996 from the Beigang Chaotian Temple in Taiwan is worshipped in a prayer hall at Tenpi Shrine, next to Ōma Inari Shrine. The connection between the shrine and the statue transferred from Taiwan makes this a distinctive cultural topic for your trip.

The Ōma Blue Marine Festival takes place at Ōma Fishing Port. The program includes a traditional boat race with seven people per team, market stalls, stage events and a fireworks display. The festival offers a different way to experience the town than quieter visits to scenic or cultural sites. If you are interested, you can use the listed program items as a guide when planning your trip.

Seasonal food and when to visit

Ōma tuna is landed in Ōma, with its peak season from autumn through winter. For a spring visit, Uchiyama Park offers a different seasonal highlight: its cherry trees bloom every spring, and their bloom is considered later than in southern Hokkaidō. The park’s spring festival features a barbecue with Ōma beef beneath the cherry trees. This gives you two specific, distinct connections to the area to consider when choosing when to visit: the tuna’s peak season and the spring festival beneath the cherry trees.

Another local specialty is the temple beer Mugi Shizuku. It is brewed on the grounds of Sōtokuji Temple in the Okudo district of Ōma. Along with the tuna landed here and the barbecue featuring Ōma beef, it adds a locally rooted product to the town’s culinary highlights.

Which accommodation suits your travel style?

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Ōma, the experiences you want to prioritize can help shape your decision. The ferry connection and the bus ride to the terminal are specific travel options; coastal scenery, the shrine and the festival reflect different interests at your destination. A campsite is also among the described local accommodation options: Ōma-zaki Campsite is next to the Ōma-zaki parking lot and has a cooking shelter and public restrooms.

Other places: Ōwani, Hirosaki, Mutsu, Sotogahama, Misawa, Ajigasawa, Goshogawara and Towada.

For the broader travel overview: Aomori Prefecture.