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~ Experience the art of snow and ice in the harsh winter of northern Tohoku ~

Oirase Gorge, a representative tourist destination in Aomori, Tohoku.
Located on the northern side of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, which spans Aomori and Iwate Prefectures, it is designated as a "Special Protection Area," where the natural environment is strictly protected. In winter, it is covered in snow, and the waterfalls and springs along the gorge gradually freeze, eventually forming impressive ice falls and icicles.

In this day trip bus tour, you will explore the artistic natural landscapes created by the harsh winter, guided by our tour guide. Please enjoy both the changing expressions of Oirase Gorge from day to night and experience the charm of winter in Tohoku.

Explore a variety of
landscapes

The 14 km long Oirase Gorge shows completely different expressions depending on the season and time of day. We encourage you to visit as many times as you like and rediscover its charm!
There are five spots to view the lights

Only participants of the winter Oirase Night Tour can enjoy this experience. This night tour, offered exclusively by TOWADA TRAVEL, allows you to view five breathtaking spots, including ice falls, icicles, and the dark beauty of Lake Towada.
All courses
are accompanied by a nature guide

This is a guided tour where our diverse nature guides explain the natural environment of Oirase Gorge in winter. Let's explore the unique winter landscapes of Oirase together with our guide!
*Excluding access buses
Participant satisfaction rate: 98%!!

More than 7,000 people have participated in this tour so far, and surveys have shown a high satisfaction rate of over 98%.
* Calculated from April 2022 to April 2023

Thanks to you,
this tour initiative

Good Design Award 2018

The Good Design Award is the only comprehensive design evaluation and recommendation system in Japan. The project was awarded for turning a harsh place that would not be suitable for tourism into a beautiful tourist resource by the simple method of "illuminating it," and for the fact that it was not just a single company, but also involved collaboration with the city, citizens, and local businesses, resulting in a sustainable project.

6th Japan Tourism Awards

The Japan Tourism Awards recognizes 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.

Parts of the Oirase Gorge and the outer rim of Lake Towada are designated as special protection areas, creating a pitch-black world at night without even a single streetlight. To minimize negative impacts on flora and fauna, the lighting equipment used for tourist illumination is not permanent but "mobile."

The lighting equipment is loaded onto vehicles and illuminated only when touring stops alongside the tour bus carrying everyone. This method has been adopted to balance local tourism promotion and natural conservation.

The night tour will visit five recommended spots within Oirase Gorge. Each spot has a unique lighting design concept, allowing you to observe the changing expressions of ice falls and icicles based on light color, as well as compare different shapes of ice falls at each location for various enjoyment options.
*Night courses 001 and 003 only. Stops vary depending on the course.

On this tour, a nature guide will accompany you on all courses.
They will serve as your guides to unravel the mysteries of Oirase Gorge, leading you to an enchanting experience that goes beyond mere sightseeing.

The guides who reside in Aomori Prefecture range from fresh guides in their 20s to veteran guides in their 70s, with backgrounds as diverse as 20 years of guiding experience, former tour conductors, and former teachers.
Please pay attention to the unique guiding styles of each guide.
Every autumn, we hold training sessions to prepare for welcoming you. We look forward to your visit to Oirase Gorge this winter!

plan001

Winter Oirase Night TourFrozen Oirase Gorge Night Bus Tour

Departure and arrival from the city and Oirase Gorge Hot Springs

Recommended for those staying in Towada city or the Keiryu Onsen area !

Tour plan details
plan002

Winter Oirase Daytime TourFrozen Oirase Gorge Day-time Bus Tour

Starting and ending at Shichinohe Towada Station, city area, and Oirase Keiryu Onsen

On this daytime tour, you can experience a different view of the river than you would at night!

Tour plan details
plan003

Winter Oirase Night TourFrozen Oirase Gorge Night Bus Tour

Departure and arrival from Lake Towada

Recommended for those staying near Lake Towada !

Tour plan details

Winter Oirase Night TourFrozen Oirase Gorge Night Bus Tour- The beauty of nature in the harsh winter emerges from the darkness -

Night Tour

This is a sightseeing tour where you can get off the bus to view five illuminated spots, including ice falls and icicles in Oirase Gorge.
The harsh winter cold of Aomori freezes the abundant waterfalls of Oirase, revealing various sizes of ice falls on the cliffs. Their bluish beauty is distinctly visible even at night.
The sight of the illuminated ice falls rising fantastically against the darkness is truly breathtaking. The experience of the timeless, otherworldly scenery of Oirase will captivate you.

plan001

Departure and arrival from the city and Oirase Gorge Hot Springs

period

December 20, 2024 (Friday) - March 2, 2025 (Sunday)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays *Some exclusions apply
. Please check the calendar on the reservation page for details.

Fee

Adult (tax included per person)
3,300 to 4,400 yen
Children (per elementary school student, tax included):
1,650 yen to 2,200 yen
*Free for pre-elementary school students, half price for disabled people

*1: The waiting area is open until 22:00. Please be careful if you are using lockers, etc. *2: You can wait inside the Citizens' House. (Except on closed days) *3: In front of the East Building entrance
■ In December and March, the schedule may be delayed by about 30 minutes depending on the road conditions. Thank you for your understanding.

Recommended for those staying in Towada city or the Keiryu Onsen area !

Book now!

plan003

Departure and arrival from Lake Towada

period

December 20, 2024 (Friday) - March 2, 2025 (Sunday)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays *Some exclusions apply
. Please check the calendar on the reservation page for details.

Fee

Adult (tax included per person)
3,300 to 4,400 yen
Children (per elementary school student, tax included):
1,650 yen to 2,200 yen
*Free for pre-elementary school students, half price for disabled people

Recommended for those staying near Lake Towada!

Book now!

Winter Oirase Daytime TourFrozen Oirase Gorge Day-time Bus Tour- Winter Nature Museum -

Day Tour

Shifting from the fantastical night scenery, the daytime landscape of Oirase Gorge transforms into a world of silver. You can feel the winter of Aomori through the falling snow, the tranquility, and the ice splashes along the shores of Lake Towada.

In the winter Oirase daytime tour, you will get off the bus or enjoy a scenic view from the window to see various sizes of waterfalls and streams that are unique to daytime. Our guide will explain the formation of the landscapes and the nature of Oirase, providing an experience akin to a natural history museum tour by bus. Since the tour starts and ends at the Shinkansen station, it's also possible to join from the metropolitan area for a day trip.

plan002

Starting and ending at Shichinohe Towada Station, city area, and Oirase Keiryu Onsen

period

December 21, 2024 (Sat) - March 2, 2025 (Sun)
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays *Some exclusions apply
. Please check the calendar on the reservation page for details.

Fee

Adult (tax included per person)
3,300 to 4,400 yen
Children (per elementary school student, tax included):
1,650 yen to 2,200 yen
*Free for pre-elementary school students, half price for disabled people

*1 You can wait inside the Citizens' House (except on closed days).

It's like a museum tour by bus

Book now!

Winter Oirase Night Tour

The lights made the waterfalls and rocks look beautiful.

I was impressed by the method of illumination. The waterfalls and streams that appear in the pitch darkness had a special feeling that I have never seen elsewhere. I would recommend this to my parents as well.

20-year-old women
The guide's explanation was fun and interesting

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
Highly recommended for solo travelers

This tour, which feels like a condensed experience of diverse landscapes, was easy to join. Even though I was traveling alone, I received individual explanation sheets and was able to enjoy it fully.

40-year-old male

Winter Oirase Daytime Tour

Enjoy two different landscapes

I also participated in the night tour, and I was amazed by how completely different the scenery is between day and night. Since I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the charm of Oirase Gorge, I highly recommend participating in both tours.

Couple in their 30s
Various ways to enjoy

I participated upon the recommendation of a friend couple. The changing scenery as the bus moved was very appealing. At the stopping points, I enjoyed taking photos and discovering animal tracks.

Couple in their 20s
Feel free to get in touch with nature

I was able to enjoy the view from inside the bus, which is something I rarely see in my everyday life. I also took a walk, but it wasn't too long and was very nice.

50-year-old women

Access buses are currently in operation between Towada city and Lake Towada.

period

December 20, 2024 (Friday) - March 2, 2025 (Sunday)
*There are excluded days. Please check the reservation page for details.

One-way fare

Adult (tax included per person) - 1,650 yen
Children (per elementary school student, tax included) - 830 yen
*Free for pre-elementary school students, half price for disabled people

Book now!

What to wear when participating in the icefall tour

The Oirase Gorge is very cold in winter, so please wear warm clothes and non-slip shoes.
*TOWADA TRAVEL does not sell or rent cold weather gear.

About the tour

When is the best time to see the ice waterfalls and icicles in Oirase Gorge?

The peak size typically occurs from late January to mid-February each year, but it can vary significantly depending on weather conditions. Since this is a tour to observe natural phenomena, we kindly ask for your understanding that we cannot guarantee the scenery. As the landscape changes with the seasons, please feel free to visit multiple times.
What is the difference between the evening course and the day course?

At night, we will stop and tour five carefully selected illuminated points within the Oirase Gorge. During the day, you will also be able to view other locations from inside the bus while getting off at recommended daytime spots.
Will we be able to walk around within Oirase Gorge?

In most tours, you will get off the bus or view the scenery from the window. You will not have to walk long distances.
Is there a place to store large luggage?

You can leave your luggage under the tour bus. Please ask the driver. There are also coin lockers in the waiting room of the Machinaka Transportation Plaza (until 22:00) and at the Oirase Keiryukan Museum.
Where is the bus pickup location?

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

Regarding changes to reservation details

I want to cancel my reservation.

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 a cancellation fee has already been incurred, you cannot do this yourself. Please contact us using the dedicated form .
I want to change the date.

If there is availability on the new date, it is possible. Please cancel and rebook on the new date. In that case, please note that there may be a difference in the travel price.
I would like to change the bus pickup or drop-off location.

Yes, that is possible. Please contact us using the dedicated form .
I haven't received the reservation completion email.

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.
I would like to reduce the number of participants in the tour.

This will be treated as a cancellation, so please contact us using the dedicated form .
I would like to increase the number of participants in the tour.

Please make a new reservation for the additional people.

Access

- From Towada city, take the Towada Kanko Dentetsu Bus bound for Yakeyama for about 30 minutes and get off at "Keiryukan-mae" stop.
- From the south exit of Shichinohe-Towada Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, take the Towada Kanko Dentetsu Bus bound for Towada for about 40 minutes, then transfer to the one bound for Yakeyama 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 one bound for Yakeyama and get off at "Keiryukan-mae"
- Approximately 60 minutes by car from Misawa Airport
- Approximately 100 minutes by car from Aomori Airport
From the Tohoku Expressway "Hachinohe JCT" to the Tohoku Expressway "Shimoda Hyakuseki IC" take National Route 45 and 102 for about 90 minutes