Towada and Oirase are home to tourist attractions such as Lake Towada, Towada Onsen, Shirabu Falls, Tamanoren Falls, Yaji Onsen, Tsuta Onsen, Maiden Statue, Yaji Onsen, and Oirase Stream.
Local delicacies such as Towada-barayaki and Oirase beer are also recommended.
Oirase Stream is one of Japan's most spectacular natural landscapes, flowing through Towada-Hachimantai National Park in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The stream is the only river that flows out of Lake Towada and winds for approximately 14 kilometers through a lush mountain valley. With crystal-clear water, moss-covered rocks, dramatic waterfalls, and dense riverside forests, Oirase Stream off...»
Lake Towada is one of northern Japan’s most spectacular natural destinations. Located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, the lake lies at the heart of Towada-Hachimantai National Park and is surrounded by mountains, forests, cliffs, and pristine waterways. Situated at an elevation of approximately 400 meters, Lake Towada covers about 61 square kilometers, has a shoreline of appro...»
Komaki Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Misawa, Aomori Prefecture. Once one of the largest hot spring resorts in the prefecture, it has entered a new chapter as Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya. Today, Aomoriya offers much more than a traditional hot spring stay. Guests can experience the culture, food, traditional performing arts, nature, and seasonal traditions of Aomori while enjoying relaxing...»
Aomori Prefectural Misawa Aviation & Science Museum is a large museum in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture, dedicated to aviation, science, and space exploration. Opened on August 8, 2003, the museum has become a popular destination for both aviation enthusiasts and families visiting northern Japan. The museum stands within the Misawa City Ozora Hiroba, or “Great Sky Plaza,” where visitors can e...»
Choshi Otaki Waterfall is the largest and one of the best-known waterfalls along the main stream of the Oirase River in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The Oirase River flows from Lake Towada and has carved a beautiful gorge over countless years, creating a landscape of clear water, moss-covered rocks, dense forests, and numerous waterfalls. Among these natural attractions, Choshi Otaki stands ou...»
Tsuta Seven Lakes is a group of beautiful forest ponds located around Tsuta Onsen at the foot of the southern Hakkoda Mountains in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The seven ponds are Tsutanuma, Kagaminuma, Tsukinuma, Naganuma, Suganuma, Hyotannuma, and Akanuma. Surrounded by rich natural forests within Towada-Hachimantai National Park, the ponds offer a peaceful landscape that changes dramaticall...»
Kumoi Waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls along the Oirase Gorge in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. Located in the middle section of the Oirase Stream, the waterfall emerges dramatically from a forest-covered cliff. The water tumbles down in three distinct stages from a height of approximately 20 meters. Its abundant flow creates a powerful roar and a refreshing spray, making Kumoi...»
Towada Barayaki is a beloved local specialty of Towada City in Aomori Prefecture. This hearty dish combines thinly sliced beef short ribs with a generous amount of onions, all cooked together on a hot iron griddle. The beef is seasoned with a sweet and savory soy sauce-based sauce before being placed on the griddle. The meat and a large quantity of sliced onions are then stir-fried until the onio...»
Handmade Village Risokyo is a hands-on agricultural and nature attraction in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers, traditional rural scenery, local food, and a variety of hands-on activities. Since opening its iris garden in 1988, Risokyo has gradually expanded to include peony gardens, lupine fields, a wildflower garden, ponds, and other natural attractions. ...»
Towada Art Center is a contemporary art museum located in the center of Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, in northern Japan. The museum opened on April 26, 2008, as the central facility of Arts Towada, an urban revitalization project that uses art as a way to create a more attractive and vibrant city. Located along the broad government district street known as Komakaido, the museum has become one o...»
Paika cuisine is a popular local specialty of Misawa City in Aomori Prefecture. It uses a rare part of pork called “paika”, found around the ribs and belly of the pig. This flavorful cut contains a combination of meat and cartilage and can be prepared in many different ways. Paika has become a well-known local B-class gourmet food in Misawa. The cartilage becomes remarkably tender when slowly coo...»
Misawa Roadside Station – Tonami Domain Memorial Tourist Village is a unique sightseeing destination in Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy nature, outdoor activities, local food, and the history of the region in one spacious setting. The approximately 20-hectare site was once used as a large pasture and has been transformed into a recreational area where visitors of all ages can e...»
The Lake Towada Sightseeing Boat offers a relaxing way to explore Lake Towada from the water and experience the magnificent natural scenery and fascinating history of this beautiful lake on the border of Aomori and Akita Prefectures. During the cruise, passengers can learn about the geological formation of Lake Towada, the legends associated with the lake, and the history of the people who have l...»
Towada City is located in the inland southern part of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan. As a central city of the Kamikita region, it is known for its spectacular natural scenery, rich agricultural traditions, historic sites, hot springs, local cuisine, and vibrant contemporary art scene. The city's most famous natural attractions are Lake Towada and the Oirase Stream. Both are part of Towada-H...»
The Misawa Shuji Terayama Memorial Museum is a museum and literary institution dedicated to Shuji Terayama, an influential avant-garde artist with strong connections to Misawa City in Aomori Prefecture. Located within Misawa City Forest Park, the museum opened on July 27, 1997, to preserve and display valuable personal belongings donated by Terayama's mother, Hatsue. Rather than focusing only on ...»
Towada Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located beside Lake Towada in Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. Surrounded by dense forest and the tranquil waters of the lake, the shrine has long been regarded as a sacred place where nature, spirituality, and local legends come together. Today, Towada Shrine stands at 486 Towadakohan Yasumiya, Okuse, Towada City, in the heart of the Lake Towada si...»
Hakka Pass Observation Deck is one of the most impressive viewpoints overlooking Lake Towada, a scenic lake that straddles Aomori and Akita Prefectures in northern Japan. Located at an elevation of approximately 631 meters, the observation deck offers a spectacular panoramic view of the lake, its surrounding mountains, and the vast forests of the Towada region. Hakka Pass is located where the Juk...»
Roadside Station Towada Lake: Himemasu no Sato Wai-nai is a roadside rest and tourism facility in Kosaka Town, Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture. Located along National Route 454 near the Wai-nai intersection, where National Routes 103 and 454 meet, the facility serves as an important gateway to Lake Towada from the Akita side. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Towada, it is also an ideal st...»
Towada Hotel is a historic lakeside hotel quietly situated on a hill overlooking the western shore of Lake Towada, within Towada-Hachimantai National Park. The lake straddles Aomori and Akita prefectures in northern Japan, and the hotel enjoys an exceptional setting surrounded by forests and tranquil natural scenery. Every guest room offers a view of Lake Towada, allowing visitors to enjoy the ch...»
The Misawa City Memorial Hall for Local Pioneers stands on land once known as Kizaki Pasture, the largest grazing area of the former Nanbu Domain. The museum introduces the achievements of people who contributed to the development of the Misawa region, with particular attention given to Hirozawa Yasutō, a pioneering figure in Japan's early modern livestock industry. Hirozawa established Kaibokush...»
Tsuta Onsen, located in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, is a historic hot spring destination surrounded by the beautiful beech forests of the Hakkoda mountain area. With a history stretching back nearly a thousand years, it is one of the region's most atmospheric hot springs. Records indicate that a small lodging facility for hot spring therapy already existed here by 1147. For centuries, people ...»
Shimeitei Observatory is a scenic viewpoint offering a panoramic view of Lake Towada, which stretches across Aomori and Akita Prefectures. Located along the Jukai Line, the shortest driving route from the Kosaka Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway toward Lake Towada, the observatory is an easy and rewarding stop during a sightseeing drive. The most distinctive feature of Shimeitei Observatory is...»
Horyo Ginkgo Tree is a magnificent ancient tree in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. Designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan, it is an important natural and cultural landmark that has been cherished by local people for generations. The tree stands along National Route 102 in the Horyo area of Towada City and has become a well-known symbol of the region. With an estimated age of approxima...»
Shichinohe garlic is a premium garlic grown in Shichinohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. Aomori is Japan’s leading garlic-producing prefecture, accounting for approximately 80% of Japan’s domestic garlic production. Shichinohe is surrounded by rich natural landscapes and includes hilly areas rising to elevations of more than 1,000 meters. Its cool climate throughout the year creates favorable condition...»
Stamina Tororo Rice Bowl is a local specialty developed in Shichinohe Town, Aomori Prefecture, around the time the Tohoku Shinkansen began service. The dish makes generous use of two of the area's well-known agricultural products: Shichinohe nagaimo Japanese mountain yam and garlic....»
Himemasu is a type of freshwater salmonid known for its beautiful pink-colored flesh, rich fat, delicate sweetness, and pleasant texture. Today, it is one of the specialties associated with Lake Towada, which lies on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures....»
Aomori Shamorock is a premium Japanese free-range chicken developed in Aomori Prefecture. It is known for its finely textured meat, firm yet delicate bite, and especially rich flavor. Because the meat contains abundant amounts of the savory compounds glutamic acid and inosinic acid, it produces a deep and flavorful broth when cooked. One of the best ways to appreciate these qualities is in a trad...»
Misawa Hirui-ka is a premium brand of Japanese flying squid caught off the coast of Misawa City in Aomori Prefecture. Aomori is Japan's leading squid-producing prefecture, and the squid landed at Misawa is particularly well known for its exceptional freshness. The name hirui-ka literally refers to squid caught during the daytime. The fishing grounds off Misawa along the Pacific coast are rich in ...»
Ogawara Lake Beef is a local specialty of Aomori Prefecture, raised in the natural surroundings of Lake Ogawara. The lake is the largest in Aomori and is famous for its abundant natural environment, diverse ecosystem, and the many migratory birds that visit its shores. Surrounded by clean air and expansive pastureland, the cattle are raised in a spacious natural setting. The name Ogawara Lake Bee...»
Aomori Shorthorn Beef is a rare variety of Japanese Shorthorn beef raised in northern Tohoku. Sometimes described as one of Japan's four major Wagyu varieties, it is known for its healthy, lean meat with relatively little fat. The cattle are raised in the great outdoors, where they graze on pasture and grow naturally in spacious surroundings. This traditional approach to raising cattle gives the ...»
Aomori Shamorock is a high-quality Japanese local chicken developed by the poultry division of the Aomori Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station. It was created through a carefully planned breeding program that took 20 years to complete, combining the excellent qualities of two chicken breeds originating in Aomori. The chickens are raised slowly and carefully for approximately twice as long as ...»
Yamazaki Pork is a regional brand of pork produced in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture. The pigs are raised at a dedicated farm under carefully controlled sanitary conditions and fed a carefully selected, purely plant-based diet....»
Premium Nagaimo Grown in Aomori's Dramatic Climate Aomori-grown nagaimo (Japanese mountain yam) is renowned throughout Japan for both its production volume and quality. Aomori is one of Japan's leading producers, accounting for approximately 40% of the nagaimo distributed in Japan. The large temperature differences between day and night, particularly in Aomori's inland areas, create favorable co...»
Bokeshirazu Negi is a variety of Japanese green onion grown in Aomori Prefecture. It is particularly popular during the colder months and is an excellent ingredient for Japanese hot-pot dishes. The name comes from the variety's distinctive appearance. The bright green leaves and white stalk have a clear, sharply defined boundary, giving the onion a clean and attractive appearance....»
Apios is a nutritious root vegetable believed to have been introduced to Japan from North America. Its scientific name is Apios americana, and in Japan it is commonly called apios, hodo, or hodoimo. It is also known as the American groundnut or potato bean in English. Japan also has a native species of hodoimo, but it is mostly found growing wild and is only cultivated on a limited scale. In cont...»
Aomori-grown burdock root is one of the prefecture's major agricultural products. Aomori is among Japan's leading burdock-producing regions in both cultivated area and shipment volume. Burdock root is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine, valued for its distinctive aroma, earthy flavor, and crisp, satisfying texture. It is also naturally low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, making it a ...»
Hato Masamune is a traditional sake brewery based in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. Founded in 1899, the brewery has a long history of producing locally rooted Japanese sake. Hato Masamune uses rice grown in Aomori Prefecture together with pure underground water from the Hakkoda and Oirase areas as its brewing water. By combining these local ingredients with traditional sake-making techniques, t...»
Oirase Beer is a local craft beer brewed with carefully selected malt and hops using clear underground water from the Hakkoda Mountains, the same pristine water that forms the source of the Oirase River. The beer has been produced since 1997 at the Oirase Brewery, located within Michi-no-Eki Oirase (Oirase Roman Park), a spacious roadside station near the entrance to the famous Oirase Stream in A...»
Stamina Gen Tare is a popular all-purpose seasoning sauce from Aomori Prefecture, made by bringing together a generous selection of local ingredients. It is a familiar staple in many Aomori households and is widely used for cooking, dipping, marinating, and seasoning. The sauce is produced by Kamihoku Agricultural Products Processing Cooperative, an agricultural cooperative that has continued to ...»
Yachi Onsen is a secluded hot spring resort in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape of the Hakkoda Mountains. Known as one of Japan's “Three Great Secret Hot Springs”, the hot spring is said to have a history of approximately 400 years. Located at an elevation of around 800 meters in the mountains, Yachi Onsen consists of a traditional single lodging facil...»