Japan National Route 338

is a national highway in the Japanese prefectures of Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture, Aomori. Route 338 stretches from Japan National Route 5, National Route 5 in Hakodate, Hokkaido south across the Tsugaru Strait by ferry to Ōma, Aomori, around the western, southern, and eastern edges of the Shimokita Peninsula and finally to Oirase, Aomori, Oirase.

Route description

Hakodate

National Route 338 begins at an intersection with Japan National Route 5, National Route 5 in central Hakodate east of Hakodate Station as part of an unsigned concurrency with Japan National Route 279, National Route 279. The highway travels southwest along city streets through the city, then curves to the northwest, and turns northeast towards the former site of the city's ferry terminal, which was moved to the northwest of Hakodate Station. The highway's brief route in Hokkaido ends at the former terminal, which has since been converted into a retail area. Aside from the last of the highway near the ferry terminal, the highway also carries the Main Line of the Hakodate Transportation Bureau#Hakodate City Tram, Hakodate City Tram in its median.

Aomori Prefecture

The highway is next carried south across the Tsugaru Strait via the Tsugaru Kaikyō Ferry to Ōma on the northern tip of Aomori Prefecture's Shimokita Peninsula. From the route's northern terminus in Hakodate to Ōma, National Route 338 runs concurrent with National Route 279; however, in Ōma, National Route 279 leaves the concurrency, travelling southeast towards Mutsu, Aomori, Mutsu while National Route 338 heads south towards the village of Sai, Aomori, Sai. After passing through Sai, the highway enters the western edge of Mutsu and turns east towards the center of the city.

In Mutsu, national routes 279 and 338 briefly meet again, sharing a short concurrency. After leaving the concurrency, National Route 338 continues its path southeast across the peninsula while National Route 279 heads south towards Noheji at the southern base of the peninsula. National Route 338 parallels the Pacific coast for the rest of its route south through Higashidōri, Rokkasho, Aomori, Rokkasho, and Misawa, Aomori, Misawa before terminating in Oirase.

History

National Route 338 was established by the Cabinet of Japan in 1975 between Hakodate and Oirase which was then the town of Shimoda, Aomori, Shimoda, in Aomori.

Major intersections

See also

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References

External links

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{{National Routes of Japan, 338

National highways in Japan with maritime sections, 338
Roads in Aomori Prefecture
Roads in Hokkaido