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Lake Towada & Oirase Keiryu
（Source：pixta）
Lake Towada is a typical double caldera lake, straddling Aomori and Akita prefectures, which has a diameter of 46 kilometers with a depth of 327 meters at its most deep spot. Lake Towada is the third deepest lake in Japan after Lake Tajiri in Akita and Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido. It was created 200,000 years ago. The 14-km stream from Nenokuchi, Lake Towada to Yakeyama is “Oirase Keiryu.” Lake Towada and Oirase Keiryu is the representative scenic beauty of Towada-Hachimantai National Park. This park is a famous scenic spot for fresh green and red leaves and captures many people hearts.
- Address
- 183 Tochikubo Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori
- Contact No.
- +81-176-75-2425
- Access
- 2 hour and 15 minute bus ride on JR Bus "Oirase Go" bound for Towada-ko, from Hachinohe Station on JR followed by a minute's walk from Towada-ko Bus Stop
- Official Website
- http://www.aptinet.jp/index.html
- Time Required
- 3 hours
- Admission fee
- Free
※ Some information is displayed in Japanese and machine-translated English, which may not be accurate.
For the latest information, please check the official website for each spot.
（Source：続々・たそがれ日記）
Seasonal landscapes
Lake Towada is surrounded by somma volcanos which is full of nature, so you can enjoy beautiful seasonal landscapes such as cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green in summer, red leaves in fall, and snow in winter. We recommend that you see the red leaves around Towada-ko and surrounding mountains from the sightseeing boat in the lake. There are also hot springs in the surrounding area of the lake. This is a prime spot for recovering from fatigue.
（Source：pixta）
Maiden Statue: a symbol of Towada
The Maiden Statue is the symbol of Lake Towada located at Gozengahama, Yasumiya, beside lake Towada. This statue is well known as a masterpiece of Takamura Kotaro, a famous poet and sculptor. From a certain angle, the hands of the girls look as if they’re touching or separate depending on the reflecting light on the lake.
（Source：pixta）
Towada Jinja
This is one of the greatest divine power spots in North East Japan that has over 1,000 years of history near the Maiden Statue. It is said this shrine was built in 807. This shrine is admired as one of the two biggest sacred places along with Osore-zan since the Edo period. The god of victory and agriculture is enshrined here and the sculpture of the building is outstanding. This is a sacred place shrouded in silence.
（Source：pixta）
Oirasegawa Keiryu
Oirasegawa is the only river stream from lake Towada. People named this river “Oirase,” which literary means rapids in the deep, because the further you go down the river, the more rapids there are. The 14-km stream from Nenokuchi, Lake Towada to Yakeyama is called Oirase Keiryu. You can feel the mystery of nature up close including rich trees, tens of waterfalls, beautiful streams, and strange-shaped rocks.
（Source：pixta）
Various beautiful streams
You can’t miss Sanran no Nagare, Ashura no Nagare, and Choshi Otaki. Extensive streams created by tons of water and scenic beauty of rocks with moss and clean water can be enjoyed. Of course, the fresh green and also red leaves in fall shows a breathtaking contrast.
（Source：pixta）
Activities to fully enjoy rich nature
In this area, there are so many activities where you can have majestic experiences of nature such as a tour with canoe and board, cycling, nature tours, camping, star observation, trekking and walking along the streams.
（Source：坂バカ★日誌）
Night in Lake Towada
Solar footlights have been installed along the path from “The Maiden Statue” to the border of Akita prefecture (April to November). The footlights illuminate the road for the safety of the path and they also look like jewels when you look over the lake shore from the observation deck or the opposite shore.
（Source：青い空・青い海・青い森の国から）
Oirase Keiryu-kan & Yusui-kan
These facilities are beside the entrance of Oirase Keiryu. Souvenirs are sold in Keiryu-kan and you can observe the factory pouring water into the plastic bottles in Yusui-kan. Since Keiyu-kan has rental bicycles, it is also fun to ride along the river. In the cafe, you can enjoy coffee made with the water from Oirase Keiryu.
（Source：La Mer Bleu）