Frozen Oirase Gorge

Swallowed in a world of ice

Frozen Waterfall of the Oirase Gorge


The "Frozen Waterfall" of Oirase Gorge, which appears only in winter ,
is a spectacular natural experience in which the spray of the waterfall and spring water freezes, forming icicles and snow.

The lake changes completely from the lush greenery of summer and colorful autumn colors to a special winter scene, and you
can see the trail of water as if time has stopped.

Furthermore, each Frozen Waterfall has its own unique shape and changes appearance depending on the environment.


Oirase Gorge is the only place where you can see so many frozen waterfalls in one tour .


The three courses are easy to join as you can board from the city or your hotel .


Why not experience the frozen waterfall with all your senses , accompanied by commentary from a local guide ?

Here's what makes TOWADA TRAVEL tours different!

  • Touring a wide variety of landscapes


    Touring a wide variety of landscapes

    The 14km-long Oirase Gorge shows completely different faces depending on the season and time of day. Please come back again and again and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature.

  • There are five spots to view the illuminations


    There are five spots to view the illuminations

    The illuminations can only be enjoyed by guests taking part in the night tour. This is the only tour that allows you to see all five locations at night.

  • All courses are accompanied by a nature guide

    All courses are
    accompanied by a nature guide

    A unique nature guide will explain about the winter forests of Oirase. Let's unravel the wonders of winter in Oirase together!
    *Excluding access buses

  • Participant satisfaction rate: 98%!!

    Participant satisfaction rate: 98%!!

    More than 8,000 people have participated in this tour so far, and surveys have shown a high satisfaction rate of over 98%.

Thanks to you,
this tour initiative

Double Award
Good Design Award 2018

Good Design Award 2018

The Good Design Award is Japan's only comprehensive system for evaluating and recommending design. The award was given in recognition of the fact that a harsh place that would not be suitable for tourism was transformed into a beautiful tourist attraction by the simple method of "illuminating it," and that the project was not just the work of a single company, but also involved collaboration with the city, citizens, and local businesses, resulting in a sustainable initiative.

6th Japan Tourism Awards

6th Japan Tourism Awards

The Japan Tourism Awards recognize outstanding sustainable initiatives by domestic and international groups, organizations and companies that contribute to the development and expansion of tourism and create synergy with Tourism EXPO Japan.

Tour Plan

  • plan001

    plan01

    Night Tour

    Departing and arriving at the city center and Oirase Gorge Hot Springs

    Winter Oirase Night Tour

    • Highlights
    • period
    • Fee

    After dinner, why not head out into the night forest with the city lights at your back? Hop on the bus and before you know it, you'll be transported to another world. The murmuring of the Shimomakadosawa, the pitch-black Nenokuchi, and the stunning Makado-iwa Rock are just a few of the sights you'll encounter only on this tour.

    December 20, 2025 (Saturday) - March 1, 2026 (Sunday)
    Operates only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and during the New Year holidays
    (some exceptions apply. See the calendar on the reservation page for details).

    Adults (per person, tax included): 3,300 to 4,400 yen
    Children (per elementary school student, tax included): 1,650 to 2,200 yen
    *Free for children under elementary school age, and half-price for people with disabilities

    Tour plan details

  • plan002

    plan02

    Daytime Tour

    Departing and arriving at Shichinohe Towada Station, city center, and Oirase Gorge Hot Springs

    Winter Oirase Daytime Tour

    • Highlights
    • period
    • Fee

    This daytime tour can also be boarded from Shichinohe-Towada Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen. The 14km-long Oirase Gorge is packed with sights from end to end. Your guide will carefully point out each tree, rock face, and other features from the bus window, and you'll get off at several particularly recommended spots.

    December 20, 2025 (Saturday) - March 1, 2026 (Sunday)
    Operates only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and during the New Year holidays
    (some exceptions apply. See the calendar on the reservation page for details).

    Adults (per person, tax included): 3,300 to 4,400 yen
    Children (per elementary school student, tax included): 1,650 to 2,200 yen
    *Free for children under elementary school age, and half-price for people with disabilities

    Tour plan details

  • plan003

    plan03

    Night Tour

    Departing and arriving at Lake Towada

    Winter Oirase Night Tour

    • Highlights
    • period
    • Fee

    A special night on the quiet winter shores of Lake Towada, reserved for guests staying overnight. Once you leave the inn, you'll be transported to a world of pitch black darkness and silence. As you listen to special stories about Lake Towada, the bus follows the current and heads towards Oirase. This is the only tour where you can see the rugged Ishigedo-no-se Current at night.

    December 20, 2025 (Saturday) - March 1, 2026 (Sunday)
    Operates only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and during the New Year holidays
    (some exceptions apply. See the calendar on the reservation page for details).

    Adults (per person, tax included): 3,300 to 4,400 yen
    Children (per elementary school student, tax included): 1,650 to 2,200 yen
    *Free for children under elementary school age, and half-price for people with disabilities

    Tour plan details
Oirase Gorge Map

We will guide you

It would be a waste to just look at it. Knowing the story will completely change the way you see the scenery. The local nature guide who accompanies you will be your guide to unravel the mysteries of Oirase.

Let's explore Oirase together while listening to various stories, such as the background of the frozen waterfalls, the origins of Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge, and the ecology of the flora and fauna that live there. A guide will accompany you from boarding the bus until you disembark, and will take you safely and comfortably to multiple sightseeing spots. Meeting a unique guide will also be an unforgettable and wonderful memory of your trip.

Participant's voiceVOICE

Winter Oirase Night Tour

  • The waterfalls and rocks were beautiful with special lighting.

    Because we were inside a national park, we were accompanied by a special lighted car. It was a special experience that you can't find anywhere else!

    Female in her 20s

    Female in her 20s

  • The guide's explanations made it even more enjoyable

    The guide was very good at explaining things and we arrived at the right spot at the right time! The lighting was just amazing!

    Couple in their 30s

    Couple in their 30s

  • I was able to see a spectacular view that I would not have been able to see on my own.

    Although it was dark, safety was well managed, and they even took a group photo, so we were able to create some great memories!

    Male in his 40s

    Male in his 40s

Winter Oirase Daytime Tour

  • I enjoyed it twice as much from a different perspective than at night.

    I also took part in a night tour, and was impressed by the completely different scenery between day and night. The guide's explanations were interesting, and I was able to see things from a different perspective than the day before.

    Couple in their 30s

    Couple in their 30s

  • The guide's explanation was thorough and informative

    Being able to see the mountain stream in daylight was a different experience than at night. The explanations at the Oirase Stream Museum and at each spot on the bus were very helpful.

    Couple in their 20s

    Couple in their 20s

  • I was able to easily experience nature

    We were able to easily enjoy the sights that are rarely seen from inside the bus. We also took a walk, but it wasn't too long and was very nice.

    Female in her 50s

    Female in her 50s

Environmentally friendly lighting

  • Environmentally friendly lighting
  • Environmentally friendly lighting
  • Environmentally friendly lighting
  • Environmentally friendly lighting

The Oirase Gorge area is designated as a special protected area, and at night, a world of pitch black spreads out without even a single streetlight. In order to minimize the negative impact on the flora and fauna, the lighting equipment used for illumination is "mobile" rather than permanently installed. The lighting equipment is mounted on a vehicle and travels alongside the tour bus carrying visitors, only illuminating the area when visitors disembark for sightseeing.

The snowy scenery illuminated in various colors such as blue and purple is fantastical, and gazing at it will evoke an unprecedented feeling of awe, as if time has stopped.

This tour will take you to five recommended spots within the Oirase Gorge*. The color of the lights changes at each spot, allowing you to enjoy the various expressions of the frozen waterfalls and icicles.
*Night Course 001 or 003 only. Stops vary depending on the course.

Access to Oirase Gorge

Access

  • public transportation
    • From Towada city, take the Towada Kanko Dentetsu bus bound for Oirase Keiryu Onsen for about 30 minutes and get off at "Keiryukan-mae"
  • bullet train
    • From the south exit of Shichinohe-Towada Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, take the Towada Kanko Dentetsu bus bound for Towada for about 40 minutes, then transfer to the bus bound for Oirase Keiryu Onsen and get off at "Keiryukan-mae"
    • From Hachinohe Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, take the Towada Kanko Dentetsu bus bound for Towada for about 60 minutes, then transfer to the bus bound for Oirase Keiryu Onsen and get off at "Keiryukan-mae"
  • aircraft
    • Approximately 60 minutes by car from Misawa Airport
    • Approximately 100 minutes by car from Aomori Airport
  • car

    From the Tohoku Expressway "Hachinohe JCT" to the Tohoku Longitudinal Expressway "Shimoda-momoishi IC" take National Highway 45 and 102 for approximately 90 minutes

*The above access route takes into account winter road conditions and may differ from the illustration on the right.

Transportation and access details
map

Lake Towada Access Bus

Access buses are currently operating between Towada city and Lake Towada.

period

  • Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Sunday, March 1, 2026
  • *Some exclusion dates apply. Please check the reservation page for details.

One-way fare

  • Adult (tax included per person) - 1,650 yen
  • Child (per elementary school student, tax included) - 830 yen
  • Children under elementary school age can enter for free, and customers with disabilities can enter at half price.
Book now!

Tourist attractions

Introducing accommodation facilities

Lake Towada area

Central Towada

Oirase Keiryu Onsen Area

FAQ

About the tour

  • QWhen is the best time to see the frozen waterfall and icicles?
    A

    The peak season is usually from late January to mid-February, but this period varies greatly depending on weather conditions. Please note that this is a tour to appreciate natural resources, and we cannot guarantee the view.

  • QWhat is the difference between the evening course and the day course?
    A

    At night, you will get off the bus and visit five carefully selected illuminated spots within the mountain stream. During the day, you can also enjoy a leisurely view of places other than the five nighttime spots from the bus window, and we will provide a more detailed explanation of the nature of Oirase.

  • QIs it okay to wear anything when participating in the tour?
    A

    The Oirase Gorge gets very cold in winter, so please wear warm clothing and non-slip shoes. Please note that TOWADA TRAVEL does not sell or rent cold weather gear.

  • QDo you take walks in the Oirase Gorge?
    A

    On most tours, you will get off the bus or view the scenery from the window, and you will not be walking long distances.

  • QIs there a place to store large luggage?
    A

    You can leave your luggage under the tour bus. Please ask the driver. Coin lockers are also available in the waiting room at Machinaka Transportation Plaza (until 10:00 PM) and at the Oirase Stream Museum.

  • QPlease tell me how to get to each boarding location.
    A

    For details on each boarding location, please see here:
    https://www.towada.travel/blog-posts/shugobasho

Regarding changes to reservation details

  • QI would like to cancel my reservation.
    A

    You can do this yourself. Click the "Manage Reservation" button in the middle of the reservation completion email to access the customer page and complete the procedure. If cancellation fees have already been incurred, you cannot do this yourself. Please contact us using the dedicated form .

  • QI want to change the date.
    A

    If there are any available dates for the new reservation, it is possible. Please cancel and rebook on the new date. Please note that there may be a difference in the travel price in this case.

  • QI would like to change my pickup or drop-off location.
    A

    Yes, it is possible. Please contact us using the dedicated form .

  • QI haven't received the reservation comfirmation email.
    A

    Carrier email addresses (docomo, au, etc.) are not supported. If you would like to inquire about your reservation, please contact us by phone. On the day of participation, we will only accept your name.

  • QI want to reduce the number of people.
    A

    This will be treated as a cancellation, so please contact us using the dedicated form .

  • QI want to increase the number of people.
    A

    Please make a new reservation for the additional number of people.