In the steeper hills of Hanamaki and Tōno, there are generous passing lanes on the uphill stretches going both ways.

In Shiwa, there are fruit and vegetable stands in season along the roadside and several excellent restaurants can be found in and close to Morioka.

There is a tunnel approximately one kilometer long in Tōno under the Kotōge Pass.

In Hanamaki, Route 396 intersects with Prefectural Road 43 at two different places in Ohasama and shares about a half-kilometer of roadway.

208 West crosses National Route 4 and leads to Yahaba Station.