Breathtaking Views and Photo Spots Everywhere! A Travel Guide to Oirase Gorge

Located in northern Japan, Oirase Gorge in chilly Aomori Prefecture welcomes spring later than many other places.
But perhaps because it arrives late, the joy and brilliance of spring feel even stronger here.
Even in April, Oirase still retains the cold flow of snowmelt and a wintry atmosphere, but you can also see signs of plants steadily preparing for spring, such as butterbur sprouts peeking through the lingering snow and buds forming at the tips of branches.
By late May, fresh greenery finally begins to sprout, and the vivid colors of new leaves can be enjoyed.
If you want to experience blooming flowers, birdsong, dazzling sunlight filtering through the trees, and the fresh energy of life, spring in Oirase is highly recommended.

Summer, when hot and humid days continue, is the perfect season for a walk along the gorge, when you naturally long for the water’s edge.
The charm of Oirase Gorge in summer lies in enjoying the refreshing feeling created by the pure stream and splashing water, while gazing at the greenery sparkling in the strong sunlight.
Trees, flowers, wild birds, and insects, every living thing is at its liveliest and full of vitality.
If you visit spots such as Ashura no Nagare, where water rushes fiercely between rocks and trees, or waterfalls like Chisuji Falls and Kumoi Falls, you can enjoy the coolness not just on your skin, but with all five senses.

Autumn is when Oirase Gorge is at its most captivating.
The weather gradually becomes cooler, the air turns crisp, and it is just right for a stroll.
The greenery surrounding the rocks and clear stream slowly changes color, with yellows and reds, as well as subtle gradations in between, each showing delicate shades of their own.
Each spot also offers scenery unique to autumn, for example, at Ishigedo no Se you can enjoy the contrast between moss and autumn leaves.
At Ashura no Nagare, the harmony between the forceful stream and the vivid foliage is stunning.
The scenery is so breathtaking it feels as if the composition had been carefully designed.

In winter, deep snow piles up in Oirase Gorge, creating spectacular scenery unlike any other season.
Because the area around the stream is humid, clumps of snow form here and there on the trees, looking like white cotton flowers in bloom.
At times, the footprints of wild animals appear across the snowy fields, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere.
The greatest attraction of Oirase Gorge in winter is its frozen waterfalls.
These frozen waterfalls are a phenomenon in which the water flowing from the falls freezes when exposed to the cold outside air.
They cannot be seen just anywhere and are a rare natural phenomenon found only in areas with the right conditions.
The frozen waterfalls look as if time itself has stopped, creating a truly magical sight.
They are dynamic ice sculptures shaped by nature in subfreezing temperatures.

Ishigedo no Se is located about two-thirds of the way from the Nenoro Sluice Gate, where water from Lake Towada flows in, toward Yakeyama.
In the local dialect, “kedo” means “hut,” so “Ishigedo” means a stone hut or rock shelter.
There are rocks of many different sizes and shapes, and the flow of the stream varies from place to place between gentle and swift.
The view is open and scenic, with a landscape that feels exactly like a mountain stream should.
You can take in the view from the nearby wooden bridge or go down to the riverbank to see the flow up close.

Ashura no Nagare is located around the middle of Oirase Gorge.
Just as its name comes from Ashura, the wrathful deity of tremendous power, this spot is known for its rugged scenery of fierce rapids and jagged rocks.
The splashing spray fills the air with negative ions, while the rich greenery around it creates a refreshing feeling, making it especially pleasant in summer.
The rushing stream flowing between dense trees is highly photogenic, and this is one of the most iconic scenic spots representing Oirase Gorge, even used in visual media works.

This waterfall stands where the water flowing out from Lake Towada joins Oirase Gorge.
At Approx. 7 m high and Approx. 20 m wide, it is the largest waterfall in Oirase Gorge and also the only one on the main stream. Its name comes from the idea of Lake Towada as a sake flask, with Choshi Otaki Falls resembling the spout.

Kumoi Falls is located in the middle reaches of Oirase Gorge.
This giant waterfall drops in several tiers with a height of 25 m.
You can go close enough to view it, allowing you to experience its power up close.
With a large volume of water, its powerful, stately form pouring down through the surrounding trees is beautiful.
You can view the entire waterfall from the walking trail and also take photos of it.
There can even be lines at the photo spot.
It is beautiful in the fresh green seasons of spring and summer, and in autumn with its fall foliage, but in winter frozen waterfalls can be seen, creating an even more mysterious and ethereal atmosphere.

Oirase Gorge Museum is located near the lowest reaches of Oirase Gorge.
It features exhibits where you can learn in detail about the ecosystem of the plants and animals living in Oirase Gorge, as well as the surrounding nature.
There are also fun, educational dioramas and digital signage displays that spark curiosity.
Of course, it is not just about exhibits, you can also enjoy shopping, with the Oirase Field Museum Shop selling goods inspired by the animals and plants of Oirase Gorge, and Arah, Ringo, an apple specialty shop that reflects Aomori’s fame as an apple-producing region.
This facility offers many ways to enjoy Oirase, including applying for guided tours and trying art experiences using moss.

This resort hotel stands along the banks of Oirase Gorge, where many highlights such as waterfalls, clear streams, and moss-covered rocks are scattered throughout.
From the hotel lobby and terrace, and of course from the guest rooms as well, you can enjoy an excellent location for admiring the natural scenery that changes with the seasons and time of day. Surrounded by beautiful nature, you can relax at your leisure.

A resort hotel with an outstanding location, quietly nestled in the forest of Oirase. Located right near Oirase Gorge, a nationally designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty, it lets you feel the four seasons of Oirase even while staying at the hotel.
Its cuisine is also well regarded, including the dinner course Oirase Cuisine, served with chopsticks, and dishes generously made with seasonal ingredients from Towada and Oirase.

Lake Towada straddles Towada City in Aomori Prefecture and Kosaka Town in Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture.
It is a caldera lake formed by the eruptive activity of Towada Volcano that began Approx. 200,000 years ago, and among Japan’s lakes it ranks 12th in surface area and 3rd in maximum depth at 327 m.
Together with Oirase Gorge, which flows out from the lake, it is designated as both a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument of Japan.

An ancient shrine located on the Nakayama Peninsula, which juts out into Lake Towada.
It is said to have been founded in 807 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, the Seii Taishogun, who enshrined Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, revered as the ancestral god of war. In the Edo period, it drew worship as one of the two great sacred sites alongside Osorezan and prospered as a place of ascetic practice.

A collective name for multiple mountains rising in southern Aomori City, and one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.
With Odake at 1,585 m as the highest peak, 10 mountains including Takada Odake, Idodake, and Akakuradake are called North Hakkoda, while 6 peaks including Kushigamine are called South Hakkoda.
In the Tamoyachi-dake area, where the Hakkoda Ropeway’s terminal station, Sancho Koen Station, is located, alpine plants bloom in abundance and many ponds and marshes are scattered about, creating beautiful scenery.