Aomori Nature: Oirase Gorge, Lake Towada & Hakkoda Ropeway

Oirase Gorge, Lake Towada and the Hakkoda Ropeway make up the classic nature route of Aomori Prefecture, and together they are some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Japan. This is the Towada-Hachimantai National Park area, where a clear mountain stream runs through beech forest, a vast caldera lake fills an old volcano and the Hakkoda Mountains rise above Aomori city. The area is famous for autumn color in October, fresh green in early summer and, on the Hakkoda Mountains, frost-covered “snow monsters” in winter. This guide covers the three highlights, seasonal bus access and where to stay by the lake.

1. Oirase Gorge

The Oirase Stream flows about 14 kilometers from Nenokuchi on Lake Towada down to Yakeyama, through a gorge of moss-covered rocks, beech forest and many waterfalls. A walking trail follows the river almost the whole way with very little elevation change, so it is a gentle hike: walking the full length takes about four hours, but most visitors walk a few sections and hop on the bus between them. Highlights include Ashura-no-Nagare, a famous stretch of rapids, and Choshi Otaki, a roughly 7-meter-high, 20-meter-wide waterfall that is the only one on the main stream. Autumn color usually peaks from mid to late October, when the gorge is at its most crowded, while late May and June bring vivid green leaves and fewer people. The road along the gorge is narrow, and private cars are sometimes restricted on busy days, so the JR bus is often the easiest way in. Wear shoes with good grip, as the trail can be wet.

2. Lake Towada

Lake Towada is a large caldera lake that sits on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, surrounded by forested mountains and peninsulas. The main village, Yasumiya, on the southern shore, has hotels, restaurants and the boat piers, and it is where buses from Aomori end. The best way to take in the lake is a sightseeing cruise: boats take about 50 minutes and cost 1,650 yen for adults (880 yen for children). Course A runs between Yasumiya and Nenokuchi, the top of Oirase Gorge, so you can combine the cruise with a walk down the stream, while Course B loops around the peninsulas from Yasumiya. Cruises usually run from mid or late April to early or mid November and may be canceled in fog or strong wind. There is no service in winter. Several lookouts on the roads above the lake, reached by car, offer sweeping views of the whole caldera, especially beautiful when the hillsides turn red and gold in October.

3. Hakkoda Ropeway

The Hakkoda Ropeway lifts you up the Hakkoda Mountains in about 10 minutes, from its base station in the mountains south of Aomori city to a summit park with walking trails through alpine wetlands and views over Aomori city and Mutsu Bay. Cars leave every 15 to 20 minutes from 9:00, with the last car up at 16:20 from March to early November and at 15:40 from mid-November to February. A round trip costs 2,500 yen for adults (700 yen for children). In winter the area is famous for juhyo, or “snow monsters,” trees coated in thick layers of frost and snow that usually look their best from January to late February; experienced skiers also come for the deep powder. Note that the ropeway closes for annual maintenance in early November and stops in strong winds. Nearby Sukayu Onsen, a historic hot spring inn with a huge wooden bath hall, is a popular stop on the way between Aomori and Lake Towada.

Where to Stay Near Lake Towada

Where to stay: Lake Towada & Oirase

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Staying by Lake Towada lets you walk Oirase Gorge early in the morning, before the day buses arrive, and enjoy the lake at sunset. Most hotels are around Yasumiya and along the lakeshore, and many have hot spring baths. Rooms fill up quickly in October, so book well ahead for autumn color.

Luxury

Towada Prince Hotel is the most upscale hotel on the lake, with rooms looking over Lake Towada and the mountains, plus indoor and open-air hot spring baths and a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine. It sits on the quieter western shore, on the Akita side of the lake.

Mid-Range

Hotel Towadaso is a comfortable lakeshore hotel with Japanese-style rooms, an outdoor hot spring bath and a lounge looking out over Lake Towada, a relaxing base for the cruise and Oirase Gorge.

Budget-Friendly

Towadako Backpackers is a friendly guesthouse with tatami rooms, a shared kitchen, a lounge and a garden, a good budget option for hikers who want to stay right by the lake.

Quick Tips for Visiting

• JR buses run from Aomori Station to Lake Towada via the Hakkoda Mountains and Oirase Gorge in about 2.5 hours (3,480 yen), but only from April to mid-November, with just a few buses a day.
• There is no bus service to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada in winter; buses from Aomori go only as far as the Hakkoda area.
• Visit in mid to late October for autumn color, but expect crowds and book hotels early.
• Start your Oirase walk at the lower end and walk upstream toward the waterfalls, or take the bus to Nenokuchi and walk down.
• Check the weather on the Hakkoda Mountains before you go; the ropeway stops in strong winds.

Getting there by train: From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori (about 3 hours 10 minutes on the fastest Hayabusa trains), then continue to Aomori Station in 5 to 7 minutes for the JR buses to the Hakkoda Mountains, Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada. Buses also run from Hachinohe Station on the Shinkansen to Lake Towada in about 2 hours 15 minutes (reservations required). Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to walk Oirase Gorge?

The full 14-kilometer trail from Nenokuchi to Yakeyama takes about four hours on foot. Many visitors walk a few sections and use the bus in between.

When is the best time to see autumn leaves at Oirase Gorge?

Autumn color usually peaks from mid to late October.

How much is the Lake Towada sightseeing cruise?

The 50-minute cruise costs 1,650 yen for adults and 880 yen for children. It runs from about mid-April to early or mid-November.

When can you see the snow monsters on the Hakkoda Mountains?

The frost-covered trees known as snow monsters are usually best from January to late February. A round trip on the Hakkoda Ropeway costs 2,500 yen for adults.