Sitting at the northernmost point of Honshu lies Cape Oma and the town of Oma. Known for its colossal tuna, car/truck ferry to Hokkaido, and not much else, Oma is a remote place that is difficult to get to – so few people are competing with you for nice views!
Oma: Tuna Capital of Japan
If you are looking for colossal tuna, this is the place for you! They routinely catch large tuna shipped to auctions in Tokyo and sell for millions. They keep a record of the largest tuna caught each year, which is added to a monument at the cape.
It is also an excellent place to eat tuna, which survive on the multitude of squid in the Tsugaru Strait (a delicacy in Hakodate). On 14 August, there is the Blue Marine Festival, where you can see tuna carving demonstrations, music performances, and traditional dances from the region. It is like a giant festival around the wharf area.
Or you can go at the end of October. You can also experience the Oma Cho-maguro (Super Tuna) Festival, where you can experience tuna butchering demonstrations, auctions, and seafood barbecues.
Cape Oma
Speaking of the cape, you get lovely views across the Tsugaru Strait and of much of southern Hokkaido on clear days. Hakodate and the mountains, both east and west, are usually visible. However, it is hazy during certain parts of the year (especially in summer), so consider that when planning your trip!
Getting there
For example, to get there from Morioka City, you need 3 hours by car. Public transport takes closer to 6 to get there, so I advise against it.
Thanks for reading! Want to do some more exploring? Have a look at the travel map:
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.
Interested in seeing our social media? Follow us on Instagram for travel photos and Youtube for travel videos!
