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Plan003Oirase Night Tour Winter
A quiet night tour starting from Lake Towada

A special night experience for guests only

A special night only available to guests staying on the quiet shores of Lake Towada in winter.
Once you leave the inn, you will be transported to a world of pitch black darkness and silence.

While listening to special stories related to Lake Towada,
the bus heads towards Oirase with the current.

This is the only course where you can see the rugged Ishigedo-no-se Current at night.

Departing and arriving at Lake Towada

period

  • Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Sunday, March 1, 2026
  • Operates only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and during the New Year holidays
    (some exceptions apply. See 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
  • Children under elementary school age can enter for free, and customers with disabilities can enter at half price.
plan03 route

■Please note that in December and March, the schedule may be delayed by approximately 30 minutes due to road conditions.


Recommended for those staying in the Lake Towada area !

Book now!

Plan003 Plan001

SPOT01

Nenokuchi

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SPOT02

Shiraito-no-taki-Falls

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SPOT03

Ishigedo-no-se Current

Only Plan 003 can be seen!

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SPOT04

Makado-iwa Rock

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SPOT05

Sensuji-no-taki Falls

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Recommended for those staying in the Lake Towada area !

Book now!

Participant's voiceVOICE

  • Escape the everyday and refresh yourself at the tranquil Lake Towada

    If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, I definitely recommend staying at Lake Towada. There are few man-made objects and I was able to refresh myself in a nice, isolated world.

    Male in his 30s

    Male in his 30s

  • Experience a World Unique to Winter

    We participated in this trip for our wedding anniversary. Walking through the illuminated forest, we felt as if we had been transported to another world, and had the illusion that we had the view all to ourselves.

    Couple in their 30s

    Couple in their 30s

  • Travelling by bus was a safe and luxurious experience.

    Our guide gave us a humorous explanation of the history and culture surrounding Lake Towada. The light car staff also looked after us, so we were able to participate in the tour with peace of mind.

    Couple in their 40s

    Couple in their 40s

  • Be moved by this special spot

    It seemed like there were spots that were only accessible on tours departing from Lake Towada, so I felt like I'd gotten a great deal. The sudden gusts of wind at Nenokuchi felt like I was experiencing the birth of a mountain stream, and I'll never forget it.

    Couple in their 20s

    Couple in their 20s

Model itinerary

The day before ~

Stay at Towadakohan SAKURA

The closest inn to Lake Towada, opened in 2023. Indoor restaurants ASOVIVA and Sushi Ryujin, both of which are great for families, have also opened. The tour bus stop is right in front of the inn.

address


486 Yasumiya, Lake Towada, Okusae, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture , 018-5501

by foot

AM~

Winter canoeing on Lake Towada
or snowshoeing to Towada-jinja Shrine in winter

Lake Towada is at its quietest time of the year. Canoeing across the lake's surface offers an immersive experience in nature that will sharpen your senses. Another way to enjoy the lake is to visit Towada Shrine in winter on snowshoes. You can fully enjoy the silence and mystical atmosphere, and it will be a special time where you can experience the charms of both the lake and the shrine.

by foot

lunch

Enjoy the winter scenery at the cafe while eating nabeyaki udon

Take a break and gaze out the window at Lake Towada in winter. This cafe, nestled in the frigid waters of Lake Towada, has a retro atmosphere and the owner's kindness makes it feel even warmer. The menu is extensive, with everything from coffee and cake to toast and curry.

address


486 Yasumiya, Lake Towada, Okusae, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture , 018-5501

by foot

PM

Take a break at Towadakohan SAKURA.
Children can play safely at ASOVIVA.

The closest inn to Lake Towada, opened in 2023. Indoor restaurants ASOVIVA and Sushi Ryujin, both of which are great for families, have also opened. The tour bus stop is right in front of the inn.

address


486 Yasumiya, Lake Towada, Okusae, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture , 018-5501

by foot

17:20

Board the tour bus in front of the hotel entrance

by bus

~19:28

Plan003 Oirase Night tour begins

A night tour around the illuminated frozen waterfalls and icicles of Oirase Gorge. The blue ice formations float in the darkness, creating a magical and powerful sight that will captivate you. This is the only tour where you can see the rugged Ishigedo-no-se Current at night.

by bus

19:28~

Get off at Yasumiya Kita Parking bus stop (closest to the Lake Towada Winter Story venue) and enjoy dinner at Yukiakari Yokocho stalls

This winter event has been held on the shores of Lake Towada since 1998. The beautiful scenery and fireworks that explode into the winter night sky are only possible in the cold winter. If you can conquer the frozen waterfalls of Oirase Gorge and this event, you will be a master of Towada's winter!

Lake Towada Winter Story Period: January 30th (Friday) to February 23rd (Monday, national
holiday) *Closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Please check the official website for details.

address


16-246 Yasumiya, Lake Towada, Okusae, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture , 018-5501

by foot

20:30

Relax at SAKURA

All rooms at Towadakohan SAKURA are lake-view, overlooking Lake Towada. There is a large public bath and a family bath, allowing you to spend a warm and relaxing time at the inn, which will gently relieve the fatigue of your travels.

address


486 Yasumiya, Lake Towada, Okusae, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture , 018-5501


Recommended for those staying in the Lake Towada area !

Book now!

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

  • 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

  • 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

Oirase Gorge Map

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*. Each spot has its own lighting concept, allowing you to enjoy the changing colors of the icefalls 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.

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.

Tourist attractions

Introducing accommodation facilities

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.