Mutsu
From World travel guide
Mutsu (むつ) is the largest town of the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori, Japan.
Contents |
Understand
Mutsu (pop. 50000) is a fairly grim town of gray concrete and rusting corrugated iron with no attractions to speak of, but as the local transport hub you're bound to pass through at some point.
Get in
Mutsu is well connected by Shimokita standards.
By train
The JR Ominato line from Noheji (on the Tohoku main line) passes through Shimokita station (下北駅) in the southern suburbs of Mutsu.
From Tokyo station it takes roughly five hours to reach Shimokita. You will need to take three trains: The Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate to Hachinohe, a limited express train (Tsugaru or Hakucho) to Noheji, then the Ominato local. This trip will make your wallet almost ¥17000 lighter each way.
The private Shimokita Kotsu Railway stopped operating in 2001.
By bus
Buses from Mutsu's central bus terminal connect to various points in the peninsula, including Ohata (35 min, many daily), Oma (1.5h, 8 daily) and Mount Osore (30 min, 4 daily). No direct services to the Yagen Valley though, you'll have to connect through Ohata in time to catch the single daily bus.
There are several services daily to Aomori (3.5h) and even occasional direct sleeper buses to Tokyo.
Get around
Local bus services putter around Mutsu, but the center is small enough to walk.
See & Do
Absolutely nothing. Really. Even the tourist office can't suggest anything that doesn't involve leaving the town.
Sleep
Mutsu has a wide selection of reasonably cheap lodgings (¥6000+ with two meals), and the tourist information office is glad to help you book.
Cope
Mutsu's tourist office (Masakari Plaza, tel. 0175-22-0909), near the bus terminal, is helpful and can provide basic information in English, not just for Mutsu but the entire peninsula. They will also book accommodation for you.
