Japan National Route 338 Explained

Country:JPN
Type:National
Route:338
Map Custom:yes
Map Notes:Japan National Route 338 highlighted in red
Length Km:241.3
Length Ref:[1]
Established:1 April 1975
Direction A:North
Terminus A: in Hakodate, Hokkaido
Junction:
Direction B:South
Terminus B: in Oirase, Aomori
Previous Type:Route
Previous Route:337
Next Type:Route
Next Route:339

is a national highway in the Japanese prefectures of Hokkaido and Aomori. Route 338 stretches 241.3km (149.9miles) from 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.

Route description

Hakodate

National Route 338 begins at an intersection with National Route 5 in central Hakodate 150m (490feet) east of Hakodate Station as part of an unsigned concurrency with 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 1.8km (01.1miles) route in Hokkaido ends at the former terminal, which has since been converted into a retail area. Aside from the last 100m (300feet) of the highway near the ferry terminal, the highway also carries the Main Line of the Hakodate City Tram in its median.[2]

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 while National Route 338 heads south towards the village of 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, and Misawa before terminating in Oirase.[3]

History

National Route 338 was established by the Cabinet of Japan in 1975 between Hakodate and Oirase which was then the town of Shimoda, in Aomori.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 一般国道の路線別、都道府県別道路現況. Road statistics by General National Highway route and prefecture. ja. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 18 February 2020.
  2. Web site: How to travel between Hakodate and Tokyo. japan-guide.com. 11 October 2019.
  3. Web site: 国道338号線. ja. 26 September 2009. 29 October 2019.
  4. Web site: 一般国道の路線を指定する政令. ja. Wikisource. 10 October 2019.