Staircase National Route 339 is one of Japan’s most unusual roads. Located near Cape Tappizaki in the Tatsuhama area of Minmaya, Sotogahama Town, Aomori Prefecture, this remarkable section of National Route 339 is officially designated as a national highway even though it consists entirely of stairs.
Cars and motorcycles cannot use this section. It is reserved for pedestrians, making it a truly unique attraction that has become widely known throughout Japan. For international visitors, it offers an unusual way to experience the landscape and history of the northernmost part of the Tsugaru Peninsula on foot.
The staircase section connects Tatsuhama Fishing Port with Tappizaki Lighthouse. It stretches for approximately 388.2 meters and has 362 steps, with an elevation difference of about 70 meters.
At the entrance, visitors will find a distinctive blue triangular national-route road sign. Seeing a standard road sign standing beside a staircase creates the unusual impression of a national highway where vehicles are nowhere to be seen.
There are other pedestrian paths and stairways in Japan, but this location is particularly famous because the staircase itself is officially designated as part of a national highway.
There are several theories about how this unusual road came to exist. The area was once a steep slope and was also used as a route by local elementary and junior high school students traveling to and from school. The route was later improved and developed into a staircase to make it safer for pedestrians. It was subsequently incorporated into National Route 339.
One widely discussed explanation is connected to plans for a bypass road associated with construction of the Seikan Tunnel. The route may have been designated as a national highway in anticipation of future improvements. However, the steep terrain and concentration of homes in the area made it difficult to develop a conventional road for vehicles, and the staircase has remained in place.
Whatever its precise origins, the result is a highly unusual piece of Japan’s road infrastructure that has become an important part of the local landscape.
The Staircase National Route attracted nationwide attention after television programs and newspapers began introducing it as Japan’s only staircase national highway. Its rarity made it a popular sightseeing destination, and many visitors now come specifically to walk the route.
At one point, changing its official designation was considered. However, local support for preserving the staircase as a distinctive tourism resource helped ensure that it remained in its unusual form.
The staircase is constructed with stone and is wide enough for comfortable pedestrian use. Handrails and benches are provided along the route, allowing visitors to stop and rest along the way.
However, the slope is quite steep, so walking up and down requires a reasonable level of physical effort. Comfortable shoes are recommended, particularly if you plan to explore other attractions around Cape Tappizaki on the same day.
As you climb or descend, spectacular views open up toward the Tsugaru Strait and Tatsuhama Fishing Port. Feeling the sea breeze while walking down this unusual national highway creates a memorable sense of place and makes the journey itself part of the sightseeing experience.
Hydrangeas are planted along both sides of the staircase. During their summer flowering season, colorful blossoms add another dimension to the scenery.
The combination of blue sea, blue sky, and colorful hydrangeas creates an especially attractive setting for photography. Summer is therefore a particularly enjoyable season for visitors who want to experience the staircase as a scenic walking route as well as a unique piece of Japanese road history.
Once you reach the bottom of the staircase, the route continues along a narrow lane paved with red bricks. This path is also part of National Route 339.
In the past, the lane was so narrow that it passed extremely close to the entrances and eaves of nearby houses. Because of its unusual width, it was once referred to as “Japan’s narrowest national highway.”
The surrounding area has since been improved, making it easier and safer for pedestrians to continue toward Tatsuhama Fishing Port. The combination of the staircase and narrow lane makes this one of the most distinctive road walks in Japan.
Several well-known attractions are located near the Staircase National Route, including the Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki Song Monument and Tappizaki Lighthouse.
The route is also close to the Tappizaki Kayo-hi-mae bus stop served by the local municipal bus. This makes it relatively easy to include the staircase in a sightseeing itinerary around Cape Tappizaki.
Visitors can combine a walk along the staircase with the lighthouse, coastal viewpoints, and other attractions in the area to experience the distinctive scenery and culture of the northern Tsugaru Peninsula.
Staircase National Route 339 is more than simply an unusual tourist attraction. Its existence is closely connected with the area’s steep terrain, local transportation, community life, and history.
The experience of walking along a route that is officially part of a national highway, yet cannot be used by cars or motorcycles, is something that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere.
When visiting the Tsugaru Peninsula, take the opportunity to walk the 362 steps yourself, enjoy the views over the Tsugaru Strait, and experience one of Japan’s most unusual roads. It is a memorable stop for anyone exploring the northern tip of Aomori.