Amazing AOMORI

Take in the beauty of the four seasons at Lake Towada on this sightseeing cruiser. The boat takes you on a cruise to see the mountains colored with new green leaves in early summer and red foliage during autumn. It moves along the complex peninsula allowing for the view of steep cliffs from the water.

The Oirase Gorge is one of the most beautiful river valleys in Japan, with vibrant and fast flowing water. The gorge extends over 14 km from the contrastively calm Lake Towada. The Oirase Gorge shows its beauty in different ways throughout the four seasons. However, the gorge is mostly known for its spectacular autumn foliage in the fall season.
The Oirase Gorge has an enchanting atmosphere with many waterfalls and thick woods. Starting in October, the leaves of the trees begin to change to vibrant red and yellow, adding to the already vivid green of the moss on the rocks, adding colors to a magnificent sight. The autumn colors peak every year around the end of October to the beginning of November. Visitors can hike around the gorge on the hiking trail. The gorge is a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty and National Natural Monument.

Rental Bicycles

Rental Bicycles are available for visitors who prefer cycling to walking.

The Oirase Stream Museum

The Oirase Stream Museum is located conveniently at the mouth of the Oirase Gorge for visitors to enjoy a break with a light meal or shop for souvenirs.

The Oirase Keiryu Hotel is a relaxing hot spring hotel standing right next to the Oirase Keiryu National Park. You can spend time in the guest rooms, lobby, and terrace overlooking the mountain stream and experience the changing nature to the fullest. You can also see the mountain stream from the hot spring, which will heal your body and soul. There are two restaurants in the hotel, where you can enjoy the unique cuisine of Aomori.

Tsuta Onsen, located near the entrance of Oiraese gorge, lies surrounded by virgin beech wood. The hot spring is known to be used dating back 1000 years ago, and the inn has become one of the hidden gems of Aomori. The structure was made with beech and Japanese horse chestnut wood, with a comforting atmosphere that reminds people of the Taisho period. The meals include seasonal locally produced ingredients.
Behind the inn, numerous ponds and lakes of various sizes attract people to the great natural beauty that changes each season. Walking trails around the ponds and lakes beginning at Tsuta Onsen are available and easily accessible, allowing visitors to revel in Mother Nature. 

Hot Spring Water Composition / Carbon hydrogen sodium spring, sulfite sodium spring, chloride spring
Hot Spring Benefits / Wounds, skin diseases, skin rejuvenation

Bubbling Hot Spring

Tsuta Onsen is one of the few 30 sites where the hot spring bubbles out from the ground. The bath tubs at Tsuta Onsen were placed directly on top of the water source, allowing bathers to enjoy the fresh hot spring straight from the base of the bath.
The hot water at Tsuta Onsen has a clear and gentle quality that does not tire the bathers. It is a perfect choice for those who enjoy taking long baths.

Deck arch bridge with 255 meters between each arch support is the longest in Japan.
The bridge was opened on October 27, 1995, and has played an important role of connecting the Tsugaru and Nanbu regions ever since.
The bridge affords a wonderful view of Jyogakura-Keiryu Streams, famous as scenic sites in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Visitors can get out of their cars and enjoy the fabulous view.
During the autumn foliage season, beautiful foliage can be seen 360 degrees.

Opened…October 27, 1995
Width…11.5 meters (of which 2 meters is walkway)
Length…360 meters
Height…122 meters
Arch support interval 255 meters

Jyogakura Onsen–Jyogakura Ohashi Bridge Approximately 1.7 km, Approximately 20 to 30 minutes’ walk

Facility : Parking, restroom, public phones

Sukayu is a mountainous hot spring that has been accessible for over 300 years. The facility is a timber building, the oldest in Hakkoda area. The hot spring was the first to be appointed as the People’s Recreation Hot Spring in 1954. The area is surrounded by great wilderness such as Mt. Hakkoda, Suiren Numa Pond, and Jogakura Gorge. In the winter, Sukayu is filled with skiers and snowboarders while in the spring, summer, and fall, the hot spring welcomes trekkers and hikers.

Sukayu features three baths, a co-ed, a female-only, and a male-only bath. The baths are all natural with water flowing directly from the source. The most famous “Senjin Buro”, the bath of a thousand bathers, is a massive co-ed bath with the size of 248㎡ (2669 sq. feet). The guest rooms in the ryokan facility are styled in traditional Japanese with a veranda and tokonoma (an alcove where art or flowers are displayed). The extended-stay facility houses simple rooms in Japanese style as well.

The inn restaurant “Onimenan”, guests can enjoy the local cuisine sukayu soba and ginger miso bamboo oden (Japanese style stewed vegetables and dumplings).

Hot Spring Water Composition / Acidic sulfate spring

Hot Spring Benefits / Rheumatoid, nerve pain, intestinal diseases, female-specific disorders, constipation, asthma

The Beech Bath “Sennin Buro”

“Sennin Buro”, the bath of a thousand bathers, received the name from its great size. The bath is made with beech wood and has charmed bath lovers of all ages. On cold winter days, the bath area fills with white steam, creating the nostalgic feel of an old hot spring. The popular bath has been shown on television and in magazines numerous times. Though it is normally mixed bathing, there is an allotted time during the day for female bathers only.

The Hakkoda Ropeway is located in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park and operates throughout the year. The autumn leaves season and the winter ice season are especially popular.