Japan National Route 103
National Route 103 is a 130-kilometer national highway in Japan that connects Aomori city in Aomori Prefecture with Ōdate in Akita Prefecture. It was established on May 18, 1953. The northern end is at National Route 4 in central Aomori, and the southern end is at National Route 7 in Ōdate.
From Aomori, the road runs south through the city, where it is known as Kankō Dori (Tourism Road). It crosses the Aoimori Railway, goes through a busy commercial area, and connects with the Aomori Belt Highway (Route 7) and the Aomori Expressway. After passing nearby the university, the main highway and a western bypass split; the bypass is called the Hakkōda Gold Line, and the two parts merge again near Aomori Public University.
The route climbs into the Hakkōda Mountains, where it passes the Hakkōda Ropeway near Mount Tamoyachi. It then descends and meets Route 394. Not far away is Sukayu Onsen, famous for its extremely snowy conditions.
The road winds down toward the Oirase River, where it joins Route 102 toward Lake Towada. At the lake shore, Route 102 continues around the lake while Route 103 forms the eastern and southern sections of the loop. On the southern shore, Route 103 meets Route 454 and the two run concurrently as they enter Akita Prefecture.
Continuing along the lake’s southern shore, Route 103 heads southeast toward Kazuno, passing the Ōyu Stone Circles (a Jōmon site) and crossing the Yoneshiro River into Ōdate. In Ōdate it meets Route 285, connects with the Akita Expressway, and ends at Route 7.
History: Route 103 was created in 1953 between Towadako and Ōdate. In 1993, its northern end was moved from Towada to Aomori city.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 07:59 (CET).